Albuquerque regulates cannabis retail establishments through the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO). Cannabis dispensaries cannot be located within 300 feet of any existing child day care facility. The city council rejected most proposed distance buffer requirements from schools and other cannabis retailers, resulting in relatively permissive zoning compared to other jurisdictions.
The IDO allows cannabis retail establishments in most commercial and mixed-use zone districts. The primary restriction is a 300-foot buffer from licensed child day care facilities, measured from property line to property line. The city council considered but rejected proposals for 600-foot buffers from schools, churches, and parks, as well as 300-foot buffers between cannabis retailers. Cannabis sales may not occur from mobile vehicles (food trucks or pop-ups). On-site consumption lounges are allowed where licensed. Dispensaries must comply with standard commercial zoning requirements including parking, signage, and hours of operation. The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division issues state licenses.
Operating a cannabis business within the 300-foot buffer zone from a daycare facility violates the IDO and is subject to zoning enforcement. Operating without proper zoning approval or a state license may result in cease-and-desist orders, fines, and criminal charges. Mobile cannabis sales are prohibited.
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