Texas-New Mexico border town Sunland Park ranks second in statewide summer cannabis sales

More than two years after recreational marijuana became legal in New Mexico, sales continue to climb.

The latest numbers show that the state collected more than $50 million from recreational and medical cannabis sales in July, an increase of roughly $2 million compared to July 2023.

Since the door opened to all cannabis sales in April 2022, New Mexico has generated more than $1.26 billion from the booming industry, with major cities such as Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe leading the pack.

“The cannabis industry in New Mexico officially surpassed $1 billion in combined adult-use and medical sales in March 2024, said Todd Stevens, director of the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division, in an email. "While we continue to see large cities top the list of sales from this new revenue stream, smaller communities in every corner of the state are also reaping the benefits and proving that New Mexicans value having the choice to consume regulated cannabis products."

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Albuquerque has so far generated more than $414 million in sales, while Las Cruces and Santa Fe are hovering around the $90 million mark.

However, close behind the top three since sales began is Sunland Park on the Texas-New Mexico border, which has collected more than $84.7 million in total sales.

"While we can’t predict market scenarios, the data we receive and publish each month shows very clearly that consumers support this industry," Steven said, "and the licensed cannabis businesses that have worked hard to put our state on the map when it comes to a legal cannabis market.”

Summer sales

Between the summer months of May, June and July, Sunland Park saw New Mexico's second-highest sales numbers, trailing only the populous Albuquerque, which has widely outpaced every other city in the state.

Sales in the top three cities over the last three months were as follows:

• Sales in Albuquerque topped $15.7 million in May, $14.7 million in June and $15.1 million in July;
• Sales in Sunland Park passed $4.6 million in May, $4.4 million in June and $4.6 million in July;
• Las Cruces had the third spot in May and June with over $3.2 million and $3 million, respectively, but was bested by Santa Fe, which saw $3.07 million in July compared to Las Cruces's $3.02 million.

Sales in other border cities

Though none compare with the numbers continually being seen in Sunland Park, other cities along the Texas-New Mexico border are seeing a steady stream of cannabis sales fueled in part by cannabis tourism that draws people from nearby Texas and beyond.

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Here's a look at how nearby cities have fared over the last three months:

• Alamogordo raked in more than $1.1 million in May, nearly $1.08 million in June and over $1.1 million again in July
• Chaparral saw sales nearing $993,650 in May and just over $1 million each in June and July
• Ruidoso was close behind with nearly $830,000 in May, slipping to just over $566,300 in June and back up to more than $700,000 in July
• Portales nabbed just over $408,400 in May, then dropped to just over $370,700 in June and then just over $380,000 in July

Top sales totals for cannabis dispensaries in New Mexico

There are currently more than 700 dispensaries across New Mexico. Here's a look at the top-grossing dispensaries over the last few months:

• Two Sunland Park dispensaries claimed the top spots in May, Dark Matter with over $1.5 million in sales and Fields of Dreams with nearly $956,000 in sales, followed by Cookies in Albuquerque with nearly $807,000 in sales
• The same three operations led the charge in June, with Dark Matter bringing in just under $1.5 million, Fields of Dreams collecting nearly $926,000 and Cookies in Albuquerque nabbing just over $812,500
• The trend continued in July, with Dark Matter again seeing just under $1.5 million in total sales, Fields of Dreams with just under $912,500 and Cookies in Albuquerque with nearly $804,000

Beyond holding the top two spots, Sunland Park dispensaries remained busy throughout the summer.

In May, Pecos Valley Production came in at the 7th spot with over $619,700 in total sales, R Greenleaf Organics came in at the 32nd spot with just over $261,500 in total sales, and Elevation Cannabis came in at the 57th spot with just under $183,600.

In June, Pecos Valley Production held firm at the 7th spot with over $467,000, R Greenleaf moved up to the 20th spot with nearly $290,000 in total sales and Prohibition 37 took the 61st spot with just over $167,700.

In July, Pecos Valley Production nabbed the 9th spot with over $472,300 in sales, the new Cookies dispensary in Sunland Park came in at the 23rd spot with nearly $284,800 and R Greenleaf Organics took the 30th spot with over $254,200.

There are currently more than 700 dispensaries across New Mexico.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas-New Mexico border town Sunland Park ranks second in statewide summer cannabis sales