City Councilor Dan Lewis Introduces Ordinance to End the Sale of Dangerous Synthetic Hemp Products Threatening Albuquerque Youth

Albuquerque – Albuquerque District 5 City Councilor Dan Lewis has introduced, the Intoxicating Hemp Products Ordinance, O-25-78, to combat the unchecked proliferation of hazardous synthetic hemp products like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. This ordinance directly targets the public health and safety crisis created by unregulated and potentially lethal hemp derivatives.

"We will not tolerate the poisoning of our community, especially our children," stated City Councilor Dan Lewis. "This ordinance ensures these harmful products will not be sold in Albuquerque by eliminating the loopholes that have allowed these dangerous products to be sold without oversight.”

Key Provisions of the Ordinance: Zero Tolerance Enforcement

• Ban on Synthetic Cannabinoids: The sale, advertisement, manufacture, or distribution of synthetic cannabinoids exceeding 0.3% THC is strictly prohibited.
• Enforcement: The Albuquerque Police Department and the Environmental Health Department are authorized to conduct immediate enforcement. Violators will face penalties, including petty misdemeanor charges and immediate license revocation.
• Mandatory Public Warning: Retailers selling non-intoxicating hemp are mandated post signs that state, "Sale of intoxicating hemp products is prohibited under Albuquerque law."

"I'd like to thank Councilor Lewis for his leadership on this measure," said Indy White, owner of Silver Sap and general counsel for New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. White added, "For too long, the intoxicating hemp loophole has allowed untested and unregulated cannabis products to threaten public safety under the guise of hemp. This ordinance ensures Albuquerque is leading the way in protecting our community. While hemp and hemp-derived products have valuable uses, they must not be exploited to bypass critical testing, safety regulations, and age restrictions—standards that are essential to our well-regulated legal cannabis market."

This ordinance is a direct response to the escalating threat posed by the deceptive marketing and unchecked availability of these dangerous products, which mimic legal cannabis, but operate outside crucial regulatory frameworks.