Environment Department’s emergency rule will take effect August 1 

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will host a series of informational meetings for those interested in transporting, processing and manufacturing products from hemp. 

The meetings are being held ahead of an emergency rule that will go into effect August 1, the same day the Hemp Manufacturing Act passed by the legislature earlier this year goes into effect. In the meantime, NMED will start the process toward putting a permanent rule in place. The rulemaking process will include robust public involvement. 

“We encourage those interested in the hemp business in New Mexico to come out and learn more about this exciting new industry in our state,” said Environmental Health Bureau Chief Bill Chavez. 

The Act charges NMED’s Environmental Health Bureau with establishing regulations covering the transport, processing and manufacturing of hemp-containing products, including food and body products. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is developing its own regulations covering the cultivation of hemp plants. 

The meetings are scheduled for: 

• 2 p.m. July 16: New Mexico State University, Gerald Thomas Hall Auditorium, 940 College Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88003 

• 2 p.m. July 18: Harold Runnels Building, O.A. Larrazolo Auditorium, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505 • 2 p.m. July 24: African American Pavilion, EXPO New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 

All meetings will also be livestreamed. More information on the meetings and hemp rulemaking process is available at https://www.env.nm.gov/hempprogram/.