A former Colorado lobbyist who played a role in crafting that state’s cannabis legalization laws has been hired as the first director of New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division. Kristen Thomson started her new job on November 1, and faces quick deadlines with commercial cannabis sales slated to begin statewide by no later than April. Lawmakers approved a bill to make New Mexico the 17th state to legalize adult-use cannabis during a special session called by Govenor Michelle Lujan Grisham in March.
Thomson has worked for several different lobbying and consulting firms, according to her résumé. Most recently, she advocated for a bill that allows branding initiatives – but not explicit advertising – by Colorado cannabis companies in her position as senior director of governmental affairs for The Green Solution, a cannabis retailer that operates about 20 different dispensaries.
As director of New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division, Thomson will direct the division’s licensing mandate and oversee additional rule-making in the run-up to the start of legal commercial cannabis sales.
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