This week marks the end of our fourth season of Growing Forward! Time has definitely flown by over the course of the last two-plus years, and we appreciate all the support and listenership during our initial seasons. We'll be back again later this Fall as we kick off Season Five.  In our final episode of this season, though, we took our show on the Road to the Amador Barr and Grill in Las Cruces. Hosts Andy Lyman (New Mexico Political Report) and Megan Kamerick (KUNM) were joined by a special panel to discuss the rollout of the cannabis industry in not only Las Cruces, but also all of Sou ..read more

In our most recent episode, we explored the challenges Native American Tribes and Pueblos face when trying to get into the cannabis industry in New Mexico. Because the plant is still federally illegal, Sovereign Nations are finding creative ways to get in on the business, including the two intergovernmental agreements Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed with the Pojoaque and Picuris Pueblos. These agreements are different than the compacts that Tribal Governments often engage in for other businesses like casinos. The main difference is that the intergovernmental agreements do not i ..read more

Compacts are a term you may have heard connected to Tribal gaming operations like casinos. They are agreements that Sovereign Nations make with a State government, and often include revenue sharing between the two entities. And now, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently announced intergovernmental agreements with two Pueblos related to the state's newest industry: cannabis. But, as this episode's title indicates, these agreements are not in fact compacts, but something different.  Hosts Andy Lyman and Megan Kamerick find out more about those differences, and why these two Tr ..read more

This week's episode hearkens back to a simpler time in Network Television: the good old fashioned crossover episode. Hosts Andy Lyman and Megan Kamerick are joined by the creative team behind the podcast NM CannaCast to talk about the state of the cannabis industry in New Mexico just a little over one year after the passing of the Cannabis Regulation Act. The group talks about taxes, equity, finances and why there is still so much confusion out there about this industry.  Also in the episode, Host Andy Lyman mentions his recent article for New Mexico Political Report, dealing with the lac ..read more

The focus of this podcast has always been to take a look at recreational use cannabis as a legitimate business and industry. And the financial challenges are many. In our most recent episode (Season 4, Episode 5) we looked at the issues news businesses face securing loans and basic banking services when dealing with a product that is still considered federally illegal. We got a lot of response to that episode, and we want to share what we learned with you in this follow up. And for the most part, the news appears to be good for those trying to break into the industry in New Mexico. Hosts Andy ..read more

Getting into the legal recreational-use cannabis industry creates several unique challenges. Maybe none a bigger hurdle than securing financing. As we have touched on before in this podcast, banking options remain limited because of the federal status of cannabis. But that just scratches the surface of the potential financial stumbling blocks for new businesses. Factor in lawmakers' desire to create opportunities for equity and diversity in the industry, and the challenge is clear. In this episode we explore in depth what banking is like for cannabis businesses and also learn more about a new ..read more

Starting up a new business is a tall order for any entrepreneur. But that challenge is ratcheted up even more in a burgeoning industry and one that is focused on a product still rife with stigma. In this episode of "Growing Forward" we talk to some folks trying to make their way in this new industry, while also elevating diversity and opportunity.  Episode Music: Christian Bjoerklund - "Hallon" Podington Bear - "Good Times" Blue Dot Sessions - "Lupi" Sunsearcher - "Latin Rhythm" Blue Dot Sessions - "Pastel de Nata" Growing Forward Logo Created By: Katherine Conley  ******* "Growing F ..read more

Now that legal recreational-use cannabis sales are up and running in New Mexico, the spotlight once again turns to the testing process. Co-host Andy Lyman has done a lot of great reporting on a testing dispute that has already made it into the New Mexico courts system. He and Megan Kamerick break down the debate, and summarize the court proceedings to date.  Then, the pair check back in with one of the only testing labs in New Mexico to find out if the owner is having any difficulties keeping up with demand, as well as the prospect of new testing labs coming online in the coming months.&n ..read more

The day many had been waiting for finally arrived on Friday, April 1st, 2022. That was the day legal recreational-use cannabis sales started in New Mexico, after the state legislature passed the Cannabis Regulation Act in 2021. According to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office, business was indeed booming over the inaugural weekend. The state reported 5.2 million dollars in sales through the first weekend. Three and a half million of that was recreational-use with another $1.7 million in medical cannabis sales.   “New Mexico was ready for this historic opportunity to end prohibition ..read more

The clock is ticking to the start of legal recreational-use cannabis sales in New Mexico. April 1st at noon is the first time people can buy cannabis without having a medical card. So, how ready is the state for this new industry? We check in with Kristen Thomson, Director of the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division, to find out. Specifically, the Growing Forward team wants to know if there is concern about a shortage of supply, given the aggressive timeline for this rollout. In addition, lawmakers failed to make an adjustment to the Cannabis Regulation Act during the recent regular legislativ ..read more