Starting this month, the city is now enforcing requirements enacted in 2022 requiring cannabis businesses that manufacture or sell products for consumption to obtain the same food safety permits required in other industries. Manufacturers were required to comply last year.  

Now Retailers, Class II Manufacturers and Consumption Loungers must obtain the same permits 7-11 has to maintain to sell sodas and chips in order to sell cannabis edibles and products for human consumption.

“The distribution [sale] of edible cannabis products in Albuquerque City Limits (sic) without a permit on file” is a violation of the city’s amended Food Sanitation and Retailer Ordinance 9-6-8-1+ now in effect for all dispensaries in the City of Albuquerque.

I already have a city business registration. Isn’t that the same thing? No. A business registration ensures that your business has met zoning and tax requirements to operate the overall business.  A food permit ensures that your facility is safe to store and sell products for human consumption.

My employees all have food handler cards. Is that the same thing?  No. Licensed manufacturers (including retailers with on-premise manufacturing) should have already applied for a food preparation license in 2022.   This new permit governs the storage and sale of products in a safe manner.

I have multiple stores. Does each one have to have its own permit? Yes. Since each location has different layouts and protocols (sinks, storage, handling) each location has to have a permit.  In some cases, we can duplicate some of the application information in multiple licensed businesses.

What happens if I ignore the new rule? The city is sending notices to retailers to apply now to avoid “future enforcement action.”  Retailers attached to consumption lounges remember last year when the city closed several locations that had not completed updated zoning applications after new rules went into effect.  Don’t be the retailer who ignores this new requirement and gets closed without notice in the future.

Chances are, if you’re within Albuquerque city limits, you’ve already received a notice urging you to act fast on this new requirement since the city recently has started enforcing these permits. No worries, though, we’ve got your back!

In order to apply for this new food permit you must gather copies of your state and city business licenses, up to date tax registrations, LLC member/owner information, your *current* site diagram (required by CCD too – you do have this, right!?), and be prepared for a new city pre-inspection to show compliance before obtaining your permit.

Need help sorting out your food permit application or gathering the right docs? Maybe you’re just starting to prep for the city’s pre-inspection? 

Sound like a lot? Don’t worry, we’ve done this before. If you have all of your docs in order, our application process takes just a few days. If you’ve been spending more time preparing for 4/20 than keeping up with paperwork, we can help there, too.

But with more than 200 dispensaries in the city – and most not yet in compliance – you want to get prepared and ready before violations start flying. 

Three ways you can avoid city health violations for your cannabis establishment

• Use the permit checklist below to see if you need to apply
• Contact us at team@weeds.team to start an application
• Pray you don’t get inspected (not likely, but good luck!)

Contact us tor email us at team@weeds.team to review your readiness to apply or to let our experienced licensing team handle it for you. 

Thanks for keeping your trust in us as we navigate these cannabis currents together. Here’s to growing a compliance industry together!

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Are you ready to apply for your retail food establishment permit?

If you do not already have your city Food Establishment-Cannabis permit for each retail location in Albuquerque, use this quick guide to see if you are ready.