Commercial sales of cannabis in New Mexico remained steady during the month of September, but overall total sales were down a tick due to an expected decline in medical sales.
It was the first time since cannabis sales to adults 21 and over became legal on April 1 that New Mexico did not register a record-breaking month.
According to data released by the state’s Cannabis Control Division, sales by licensed cannabis retailers totaled $39,651,326 in September, down more than $1 million from August.
Adult-use sales did increase slightly to $24,230,396, but medical cannabis sales dropped to $15,430,931, a 9 percent loss from the previous month.
State officials say the decrease in medical sales is not surprising. Other states with medical cannabis programs have experienced a decline after recreational sales became legal.
October promises to be a better month. In addition to having one more day that September, October has five full weekends and is bookended by the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which drew tens of thousands of people from out of state, and the cannabis-friendly Halloween holiday.