Happy 4/20, How New Mexico Legalizing Cannabis Will Affect West Texas

New Mexico legalized cannabis sales on April 1, so how is that going to impact West Texas?

According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, recreational dispensaries are now just over an hour away from Midland/Odessa in Hobbs, and reports from the first weekend of sales show that New Mexico sold $5.2 million in that first weekend of legalizing cannabis sales.

The first day of adult-use sales in New Mexico was almost double what Colorado sold on its first day of legalization.

The estimated annual sales generated in New Mexico are expected to be around $300 million and state revenue from those sales is expected to be around $50 million by this time next year.

Not only is it going to generate more money, but it will also create around 11,000 jobs.

The PurLife Dispensary is located in Hobbs and opened on January 29, it is less than 20 miles from the Texas state line.

“We have seen an increase in sales in general just because of the recreational legalization,” manager Chelsea Daniel said. “We do see out-of-state patients but we always advise those out-of-state customers to follow all state regulations and laws and not to cross state lines with our products.”

PurLife sales at the Hobbs location have increased 180% since recreational use was legalized in New Mexico and they are doing a lot of pre-packaging to get ready for the 4/20 holiday.

If you are wondering why 420 is so commonly used with cannabis, it is as simple as this: Back in the 1970s, a group of California teenagers would get together at 4:20 every afternoon to smoke marijuana. The ritual spread and 420 became code for smoking marijuana leading to the date 4/20 becoming a day of celebration. Simple as that.