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VOL 10 | ISSUE 498
www.gallupsun.com
October 11, 2024
DISPENSARY CO-OWNER REQUESTS DELIVERY SERVICE LICENSE By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
G
ov. Michelle Lujan Grisham legalized the use of cannabis for anyone 21 years old and older on April 12, 2022. Dispensaries began popping up throughout Gallup almost instantly largely through the rise of recreational cannabis use. Now, over two years after legalization, one local distillery wants to step up their business in a big way. In July, Call Me Crazy Dispensary co-owner Mikkicee Manning approached the Cannabis Control Division of the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department about obtaining a courier service license. They informed her that she would need to get the city’s approval first, so she then went to the Planning and Zoning Commission. After speaking with the Planning and Zoning Commission during their Sept. 4 meeting and getting a positive recommendation from them, Manning decided to then seek the city council’s
support. She came in front of the council during their Sept. 24 meeting, asking for a text amendment to allow her dispensary to provide courier services to the Gallup community. CMC Dispensary plans to use the courier service to deliver both medical and recreational cannabis products to the people of Gallup. WHY USE COURIERS? In an interview with the Sun, Manning’s business partner Ernie Santiago explained how a courier service could benefit CMC’s customers who use cannabis for its medicinal properties. “There’s a lot of benefits for both recreational and medical [when it comes to a courier service],” he said. “There are a lot of medical patients who Call Me Crazy Dispensary offers cannabis products for both medicinal and recreational use. Co-owner Mikkicee Manning said that if the city allows the can’t physically make it into the store because business to deliver cannabis through a courier service they would be able to better serve people with medical needs. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein they have physical problems or they have prob lems driving and stuff like that.” DELIVERY Zelle or CashApp can also be used. One Gallup resident, Amy Burchfield, said a During the city council meeting, Gallup’s Since cannabis is not federally legal, CMC and cannabis courier system would greatly improve Planning and Development Director C.B. Strain other dispensaries cannot accept credit cards. both her and her mother’s quality of life. explained that CMC Dispensary was applying for Councilor Michael Schaaf, Dist. 2, voiced his conBurchfield suffers from Endometriosis, while accessory conditional use. Strain compared their cern about this fact. her mother is paralyzed from the waist down due courier service request to a restaurant asking to “In my opinion, we shouldn’t be proceeding to a spinal cord injury. The two women typically add a bar to their establishment. on allowing courier services [for cannabis],” get around town in her mother’s accessible van, Strain also informed the council that other Schaaf said. “Now [people] have to go into the but ever since the vehicle’s ramp broke Burchfield New Mexico municipalities, including McKinley place of business and get their cannabis. I don’t said they’ve been “dead in the water.” County, allows for cannabis courier services. He like it being delivered into neighborhoods and by While Burchfield can always ask a friend or also said that no decisions had to be made at the schools. Right now, the law states that there can’t neighbor for a ride to the dispensary, her mother meeting; staff only wanted to bring the issue to be sales in the neighborhoods or near school has a hard time getting in and out of other peo - council and have them discuss it before an ordi- property or close to churches.” ple’s vehicles, which makes it nearly impossible nance was drawn up. When the council prepared for the legalization for her to go to the dispensary to pick up her “We don’t like to blindside you with an ordi- of cannabis in 2021, they set ordinances and rules medical prescription. nance and say ‘Here, approve it or not,’” Strain Burchfield said she believes a lot of people said. “We want you to be able to let us know if See CANNABIS DELIVERY, Page A5 in Gallup can relate to her and her mother’s this is something you want to do, if you think this situation. would benefit the community.” “I feel like there are a lot of people with limIn her proposal, Manning stated that all delivited transportation in Gallup,” she said. “When eries must be prepaid online or over the phone at you’re begging for rides, you’re going to beg for the time the order is made. Cash is not accepted a ride to the grocery store before the dispensary. for deliveries. She explained that debit (cashless But it’s still a need that you have.” ATM) or cash payments are standard for in-perT H E J O U R N E Y T O C A N N A B I S son cannabis sales. Digital sale services such as
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November Rental District 4 Councilor Ron Molina (center) said he was not in favor of making it easier for people to access cannabis in Gallup. File Photo
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