CMC Dispensary hopes to deliver weed straight to peoples’ doors
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham legalized the use of cannabis for anyone 21 years old and older on April 12, 2022. Dispensaries began popping up throughout Gallup almost instantly. Now, over two years after legalization, one local distillery wants to step up their business in a big way.
In July Call Me Crazy Dispensary co-owner Mikkicee Manning approached the Cannabis Control Division of the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department about obtaining a courier service license. They informed her that she would need to get the city’s approval first, so she then went to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
After speaking with the Planning and Zoning Commission, it was time for Manning to get the city council’s support. She tried to get on one of the city’s July meeting agendas, but ultimately missed the date to file paperwork. She finally came in front of the council during their Sept. 24 meeting, asking for a text amendment to allow her dispensary to provide courier services to the Gallup community.
In an interview with the Sun, Manning’s business partner Ernie Santiago explained how a courier service could benefit CMC’s customers who use cannabis for its medicinal properties.
“There’s a lot of benefits for both recreational and medical [when it comes to a courier service],” he said. “There are a lot of medical patients who can’t physically make it into the store because they have physical problems or they have problems driving and stuff like that.”
THE JOURNEY TO CANNABIS DELIVERY
During the city council meeting, Gallup’s Planning and Development Director C.B. Strain explained that CMC Dispensary was applying for accessory conditional use. They are requesting that the council amend amend Title 10 “Land Development Standards” of the Municipal Code of the City of Gallup by adding a “Cannabis Courier” use to Table 10-3-1 “Use Table” as an accessory conditional use to cannabis sales, and adding use specific standards for a Cannabis Courier use to Section 10-3-C-j-iii “Cannabis Sales” of Section 10-3-C “Use Specific Standards.” Strain compared their courier service request to a restaurant asking to add a bar to their establishment.
Strain also informed the council that other New Mexico municipalities, including McKinley County, allows for cannabis courier services. He also said that no decisions had to be made at the meeting; staff only wanted to bring the issue to council and have them discuss it before an ordinance was drawn up.
“We don’t like to blindside you with an ordinance and say ‘Here, approve it or not,’” Strain said. “We want you to be able to let us know if this is something you want to do, if you think this would benefit the community.”
In her proposal, Manning stated that all deliveries must be prepaid online or over the phone at the time the order is made. Cash is not accepted.
Since cannabis is not federally legal, CMC and other dispensaries cannot accept credit cards. Councilor Michael Schaaf, Dist. 2, voiced concern about this fact.
Manning explained that debit (cashless ATM) or cash payments are standard for cannabis sales. Digital sale services such as Zelle or CashApp can also be used.
Schaaf addressed another concern when he mentioned that the delivery system would be bringing cannabis sales directly into neighborhoods. When the council prepared for the legalization of cannabis in 2021, they set ordinances and rules in place stating when and where people could consume and purchase cannabis products.
“In my opinion, we shouldn’t be proceeding on allowing courier services [for cannabis],” Schaaf said. “Now [people] have to go into the place of business and get their cannabis. I don’t like it being delivered into neighborhoods and by schools. Right now, the law states that there can’t be sales in the neighborhoods or near school property or close to churches.”
According to the city ordinance, a cannabis manufacture or retail store must be at least 300 feet away from any residence, religious assembly, church, cultural center, government facility, or another cannabis establishment. The council also added parks, libraries, retirement homes, recreation centers, and rehabilitation centers to that list.
Strain said that delivery would not break the law.
“It’s kind of like pizza delivery,” he said.
MOLINA STOOD AGAINST THE IDEA
The newest council member Ron Monlia, Dist. 4, also spoke out against the delivery concept.
“I’m probably going to take some flak over this, but I don’t care. I’m not for the sale of marijuana in the state,” Molina said. “... I’m certainly not going to make it easier for people to sell pot.”
After he voiced his displeasure with the legalization of the marijuana, the other councilors present informed Molina that they didn’t have a choice on whether or not marijuana was legalized in Gallup. Since it was legalized statewide, they could only restrict how, when, and where people use it.
Molina also said that he believes the legalization of marijuana has led to it being easily accessible to teens and young children.
“[The legalization of marijuana] is not proactive as far as I’m concerned. … I don’t like the idea of my grandkids growing up in an atmosphere where this is easy to get,” he said. “I can see that with the sale of marijuana, the legal sale of marijuana, a lot of that has probably gone to the kids at the high schools. Anybody can buy it, anybody can sell it, and anybody can pass it around.”
Manning responded by assuring the council that kids’ safety is CMC’s top concern.
“We believe in keeping all of our kids safe,” she said. “I do have my own child, but she’s never around any of this business. … I want to keep it out of children’s hands. I want to keep it out of the public view.”
Anyone trying to buy cannabis products at CMC Dispensary has to show their I.D. before they leave the store with any product. People who use cannabis for medical purposes have to show their medical card.
Manning asserted that the courier service would actually keep cannabis sales discreet, especially for those using it for medical purposes.
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
