Cookies dispensary to pay $350K as part of settlement with New Mexico Cannabis Control Division

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque dispensary Cookies reached a settlement with New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division after being accused of violating the state’s Cannabis Regulation Act. As part of the settlement, the company will have to pay hefty fines.

Blue Whale Enterprises Inc., which operates Cookies, signed off on the settlement agreement on July 16. The violations took place during the dispensary’s grand opening event on Nov. 18, 2023, according to the settlement agreement.

State regulators accused the dispensary, located at 1340 Broadway Blvd. NE, of:

1. Violation of protection of underage persons

   • The dispensary allegedly allowed someone under the age of 21 to attend the event and consume cannabis on the property.

2. Engaging in prohibited practices

   • The dispensary allegedly made a social media post that showed someone consuming a large amount of cannabis on the dispensary’s property.

3. Allowing for the unauthorized consumption of cannabis

   • The dispensary is accused of allowing people to consume cannabis on the property and promoting public cannabis consumption without having a cannabis consumption license.

4. Unlawful co-mingling of alcoholic beverages and cannabis

   • The dispensary reportedly allowed public consumption of alcohol on the property.

5. Violation of cannabis product display requirements

   • The dispensary allegedly had cannabis and cannabis products on display in the parking lot, which was outside the permitted retail area.

As part of the settlement, Blue Whale Enterprises Inc. will have to pay the Cannabis Control Division $50,000 for the five violations. It will also have to pay $300,000 in lieu of closing its doors for two weeks.

If Blue Whale Enterprises Inc. has any more of the same violations in the next two years, it may have to temporarily suspend its commercial cannabis operations in New Mexico and could face more fines, according to the settlement.

KRQE News 13 reached out to Blue Whale Enterprises Inc. for comment. We have not heard back.

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