Frequently Asked Questions
New to cannabis, new to New Mexico, or just new to us, we get a lot of the same great questions at the counter. Verdes Cannabis is a New Mexico–grown, community-minded dispensary with locations across Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe. As one of the state’s most awarded dispensaries, we not only help you find the right products from your favorite brands, we also cultivate our own locally grown cannabis right here in New Mexico. We pulled together the questions our cannabis educators hear most often, covering everything from New Mexico cannabis regulations to what to bring on your first visit, how purchase limits work, what payment we accept, our own house-grown products, and how to save with our rewards program.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit any of our seven New Mexico locations, browse our live menu, or contact us. We’re always happy to help.
Visiting Verdes Cannabis
We have six locations across New Mexico
- Albuquerque Cottonwood: 10032 Coors Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, (505) 492-2367
- Albuquerque NE Heights: 7301 San Antonio Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 280-2814
- Albuquerque Nob Hill: 3636 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, (505) 677-8884
- Albuquerque Unser: 2220 Unser Blvd NW Suite A Albuquerque, NM 87120
- Rio Rancho: 2320 Grande Blvd. SE, Suite B, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, (505) 677-8518
- Santa Fe Plaza: 220 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 983-2738
- Santa Fe Zafarano: 3530 Zafarano Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87507, (505) 416-5563
And, if you’re in the Albuquerque metro area you can also order ahead for curbside pickup. Find directions and store details for any location on our locations page.
Our standard hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Hours can vary slightly by location and on holidays, so check the location’s page or its Google Business Profile before you head over.
No, you do not need an appointment and walk-ins are always welcome at every Verdes location!
Yes, but only in the Albuquerque metro area, not at our Santa Fe stores! Order online from our live menu, choose curbside pickup, and we’ll bring your order out to your car when you arrive. You can learn more on our curbside pickup page.
We do not offer delivery, only instore or curbside pickup (locations may vary). However, as New Mexico’s cannabis rules evolve so will our stores.
For the fastest service today, shop in-store, order online for in-store pickup, or use curbside pickup if you’re in the Albuquerque metro area. You can also download the Verdes app or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new ways to shop.
Yes, our stores including showrooms, checkout areas, and parking areas are ADA accessible. If additional assistance is needed, please call ahead and let our team know. And, in our Albuquerque Metro area, you can use curbside pickup.
New Mexico Cannabis Rules, Age & ID
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You must be 21 or older to purchase adult-use (recreational) cannabis in New Mexico. There are no exceptions, regardless of whether you intend to use the product yourself.
Registered medical cannabis patients 18 years and older may enter and purchase cannabis products with a valid patient card. Medical cannabis patients under the age of 18 are not allowed in the dispensaries but their designated caregiver, who must have a valid medical card attached to their medical card may enter and buy products for them.
Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID showing you are 21+, all IDs must contain the person's name, date of birth, and photo. We accept:
- U.S. driver’s license or state-issued ID card (any state)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Valid international passport
- U.S. military ID
- Tribal, county, or municipal (city/town) IDs
Medical patients should also bring their New Mexico medical cannabis card. We’ll check your ID before you shop.
Yes. New Mexico’s adult-use law allows anyone 21+ with a valid government-issued photo ID to purchase, regardless of their state of residence. Keep in mind that all cannabis must be purchased and kept within New Mexico, it’s illegal under federal law to transport recreational cannabis across state lines.
For medical patients, New Mexico offers medical cannabis reciprocity for qualified out-of-state patients. Simply bring a valid photo ID and your state-issued medical cannabis card, and our Cannabis Educators can help you get set up with a New Mexico Reciprocal Medical Cannabis Card so you can shop as a medical patient during your visit.
Under New Mexico law, an adult-use customer may purchase up to the following per transaction:
For recreational adult consumers 21+:
- Up to 2 ounces (56 g) of cannabis flower
- Up to 16 grams of cannabis concentrate/extract
- Up to 800 mg of THC in edible products
Registered medical patients can buy up to 425 units in a rolling 90-day period. Here's what a "unit" actually looks like:.
- Flower: 1 gram = 1 unit (an eighth, ~3.5g, is about 3.5 units)
- Edibles: a 200mg THC chocolate bar = 1 unit
- Concentrates/wax: 1 gram of wax = 5 units (it's far more potent, so it counts for more)
- Tinctures: a 600mg tincture bottle = 3 units (roughly 1 unit per 200mg of THC)
Our cannabis educators will help you stay within the limit. Registered medical patients are subject to the program’s separate “adequate supply” limits.
In public, adults 21+ may possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of extract, and 800 mg of edible THC. At home, there is no possession limit as long as the cannabis is kept secure and out of public view.
Yes, unlike some states, New Mexico allows adults 21+ to grow up to six mature (flowering) plants and six seedlings. A household with multiple adults can have no more than 12 mature plants total. Precautions should be taken so anyone under 21 years of age or pets do not have access to the cannabis plants
No. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in New Mexico and is treated like a DUI. We recommend you have a plan to get home safely before you consume any cannabis products.
No. Federal law prohibits transporting cannabis across state lines, even between two states where it’s legal. Make sure that you consume what you purchase here in New Mexico before travelling back to your home state or country.
Our Cannabis Products in New Mexico
We carry a full lineup of New Mexico cannabis products, including our own locally grown Verdes brand alongside other trusted producers:
- Flower (eighths, quarters, halves, ounces) and pre-rolls
- Vape cartridges and disposables
- Infused flower and pre-rolls
- Concentrates (live resin, rosin, badder, diamonds, and more)
- Edibles (gummies, chocolates, baked goods, ice cream, and beverages)
- Tinctures
- Topicals (salves and soaking salts)
- CBD and wellness products
- CBD products for pets
- Accessories
Our inventory changes frequently across all of our locations, so check our live menu for what’s on the shelf today.
The general rule of thumb here is to start low and go slow. Tell your cannabis educator what you’re hoping for. Maybe that’s better sleep, less anxiety, more focus, social use, pain relief, or just a relaxed evening. And, they’ll match you with a product, strain, and dose that fits. Every Verdes educator completes three weeks of hands-on training, so you’ll get clear, accurate guidance without pressure or jargon.
Keep in mind that each type of product you consume will affect you differently. For example, with edibles, wait at least four hours before taking more. While with flower, you typically only need to wait about 15 to 20 minutes to feel the effects.
Yes. Every product sold in licensed New Mexico dispensaries must be tested by a state-licensed independent lab for potency and contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, and residual solvents. The results are tied to each product’s batch number on the packaging, including our own Verdes-grown products.
Yes. We carry CBD-dominant and balanced CBD:THC products for customers who want wellness benefits with little to no psychoactive effect. Note that products sold at our licensed dispensaries still require you to be 21+ (or a registered medical patient), even when THC content is minimal.
These are traditional shorthand cannabis labels; today, modern cannabis science focuses more on cannabinoid and terpene profiles. As a starting point: indica strains are often associated with relaxing, evening effects; sativa with uplifting, daytime effects; and hybrids fall in between. Our educators can recommend strains based on the experience you want, not just the label. You can learn more on our Cannabis 101 and Terpenes pages.
Verdes-Grown Cannabis
Yes! This is one of the things that sets us apart in the New Mexico cannabis space. Verdes is New Mexico grown and community minded. We cultivate cannabis right here in New Mexico, which means we control quality from seed to shelf and pass that care on to you. When you shop the Verdes brand, you’re buying genuinely local cannabis grown by the same company that’s helping you at the counter.
Because we grow our own cannabis, we have complete control over quality, consistency, freshness, and value. Our cultivation team focuses on producing flower with rich terpene profiles and robust cannabinoid content while maintaining clean growing practices. We never use pesticides, relying instead on natural repellents such as cedar and peppermint oil. And, we never use synthetic plant growth regulators.
Like everything on our shelves, our house-grown cannabis is independently lab tested for potency and purity, ensuring clients receive a safe, high-quality product. We’re proud to be one of New Mexico’s most awarded cannabis companies, earning numerous “Best Of” honors across both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
You’ll find Verdes-grown products at all seven of our dispensaries in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe, and on our live menu for pickup. The availability of specific strains and batches rotates with each harvest, so check the menu for what’s fresh.
Yes. Licensed New Mexico retailers can carry our brand through Verdes Wholesale, and we also distribute Camino and Lost Farm gummies at the wholesale level. If you’re interested, reach out through our wholesale page to learn more about partnering with us.
Our house-grown brand is stocked across all Verdes locations, though specific strains, formats, and batches vary by store and by harvest. If you’re after a particular Verdes product, check the menu for your nearest location or ask an educator to help you find it.
Payment, Pricing & Taxes
We accept cash, debit, or pay by bank through the Verdes App. Because of federal banking restrictions, traditional credit cards are generally not accepted at cannabis dispensaries. ATMs are available if you need to withdraw cash, ask our team about current payment options at your location.
Cannabis remains federally illegal, so the major card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover) do not allow their cards to be used for cannabis purchases. This is an industry-wide restriction, not a Verdes policy.
Adult-use cannabis purchases in New Mexico are subject to the state Cannabis Excise Tax (currently 14%, scheduled to rise gradually toward 18% - 22% by 2030) plus standard gross receipts tax, which varies by city. Combined, adult-use customers typically pay roughly 18–20% depending on location. Taxes are itemized on your receipt. Important: purchases by registered medical cannabis patients are exempt from these taxes, one of the biggest reasons to register if you qualify.
Yes. Our daily deals, ongoing specials, and rewards program are built to give you great value across New Mexico. Check our live menu and the Verdes app for current offers before you visit.
Discounts & Rewards
Yes! Earn rewards on your purchases that you can redeem on future orders. Download the Verdes app or ask your cannabis educator about our loyalty program!
We’re proud to offer discounts to members of our community such as:
- Veterans and active-duty military
- Senior citizens
Bring valid documentation to apply your discount at checkout. Discounts cannot be combined with promotions. Ask your in-store educator about the best available offer.
Often, yes, first-visit offers rotate. Ask your cannabis educator when you check in, or look for current promotions on our live menu and the Verdes app.
Online Orders & Pickup
Browse our live menu, choose your location, add items to your cart, and place a pickup or curbside order. We’ll notify you when it’s ready. Bring your ID and payment to the dispensary to complete the purchase in person, orders are not paid for online.
We hold pickup orders through our posted business hours on the day they’re placed. If you can’t make it, give your location a call and we’ll do our best to help. Unclaimed orders are returned to inventory at the end of the day.
No. New Mexico law requires the person purchasing the cannabis to present a valid 21+ ID (or a valid medical card) at checkout. We cannot release orders to anyone else.
Consumption & Safe Use
You can consume cannabis in your private residence or at a licensed cannabis lounge. You may not consume cannabis in public or in your vehicle, even as a passenger.
Note that for rental properties landlords may prohibit cannabis use, so check with your landlord before consuming.
Yes. Keep it sealed in its original child-resistant packaging, store it in the trunk or somewhere not within reach of the driver, and don’t open or consume it in the vehicle.
To keep products both fresh and safe, store products in their original child-resistant packaging in a cool, dark, dry place. Ideally, you should lock your product away if there are children, pets, or anyone under 21 in the home. Edibles in particular should never be left out where they could be mistaken for ordinary snacks.
Tell your cannabis educator it’s your first time, we love this question. We’ll typically recommend starting with a low-dose edible (2.5–5 mg THC), a balanced CBD:THC product, or a small amount of low-potency flower. Wait at least four hours before taking more of an edible.
When trying cannabis for the first time, set and setting are important. If you are not at home, please make sure you have a designated driver and a plan to get home safely.
Medical Cannabis Patients
No. We’re both a recreational and medical dispensary, so anyone 21+ with valid ID can shop. That said, registered New Mexico medical cannabis patients enjoy real benefits, most notably, medical purchases are exempt from cannabis excise and gross receipts taxes.
Get certified by a New Mexico–licensed provider (telemedicine visits are allowed for qualifying patients), then apply online through the New Mexico Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program. Applications are typically processed within 1-2 business days. Your medical card will be sent electronically to your email. Medical cards are valid for two years.
You can start the patient application by clicking here. Learn more on our medicinal cannabis page, we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
Still have questions? Visit any of our seven New Mexico locations in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, or Santa Fe, or contact us. We’re here to make every visit easy, informed, and welcoming.