Eddy County’s Board of County Commissioners chose Oct. 5 for a public hearing on regulating recreational cannabis sales in unincorporated areas of the County.

Commissioners approved the public hearing Sept. 7 after Eddy County’s Planning and Development Advisory Committee approved drafts of a cannabis licensing ordinance and a business licensing ordinance Aug. 25, said Eddy County Community Services Director Steve McCroskey in a memorandum to county commissioners.

Eddy County Manager Allen Davis said a question posed during the  Aug. 25 planning committee meeting asked of public consumption of recreational cannabis.

More:Local governments grapple with cannabis ordinances

“Alcohol consumption is not allowed in public places. So far this is new territory and there is nothing like that in current State statute,” he said.

“Counties are taking up the baton across the State to try and determine how these ordinances and hopefully at some point future legislation will occur.”

In the proposed Eddy County ordinance, recreational cannabis areas and cannabis retailers would be open from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday.

Consumption is limited to licensed cannabis consumption areas and permits must be obtained from the Eddy County Community Services Department.

Recreational cannabis sales from mobile locations are prohibited and smoking in public places is not allowed, except for those permitted by state law, read the proposed ordinance.

More:Local governments grapple with cannabis ordinances

Matt Kennicott said P2M Cannabis Group assists potential recreational cannabis business owners with a wide range of services from finding business locations to navigation of possible ordinances like the one proposed by Eddy County.

He said P2M Cannabis Group monitors legislation in counties and municipalities across New Mexico.

“It’s important we provide good accurate guidance to our clients. We want to make sure we’re looking at those ordinances to see where they’re zoning cannabis growing operations and cannabis retail shops for starters,” Kennicott said.

McCroskey said the ordinances applied to unincorporated areas outside of Carlsbad, Loving, Hope and Artesia.

In the memo to commissioners, McCroskey said Eddy County residents may comment on the proposed ordinance.

“These comments will be brought to the Commission during the public hearing,” he stated in the memo.

The New Mexico Legislature passed the Cannabis Regulation Act or House Bill 2 during a special session in March and April of this year.