BELEN — At a cannabis farm in Belen, Pamela Craddock and her husband have made a tough decision: they are abandoning their crop this year due to severe water restrictions. Once thriving in the cannabis industry, they now kneel among rows of dead marijuana plants, grappling with the reality of their situation.
The couple’s decision to cease operations stems from increasing challenges related to water rights. As drought conditions intensify across New Mexico, state regulations are becoming stricter, forcing many cannabis cultivators to rethink their strategies or exit the business entirely. This shift in policy is having a direct impact on growers, who rely heavily on water for their crops.
Craddock’s experience is not an isolated case. Many cannabis farmers in the region are facing similar hardships, with some reporting a total loss of their harvests. The New Mexico Environment Department has implemented tighter controls on water usage, aiming to manage the state’s dwindling water supply. This has left growers like Craddock struggling to balance the needs of their plants with the limitations imposed by the state.
In a state where cannabis cultivation has become a burgeoning industry since legalization, water scarcity poses a critical threat. The cannabis plants require significant amounts of water for growth, and with the state grappling with prolonged droughts, the situation is expected to worsen.
The Craddocks spent years building their cannabis farm, investing time and resources into creating a sustainable business. However, they now find themselves at a crossroads, as dwindling water resources force them to abandon their dreams of a successful harvest. Their story reflects a broader trend among cannabis growers in New Mexico, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable approach to water management in agriculture.
As the state continues to navigate these challenges, many in the cannabis industry are calling for solutions that can support both agricultural needs and water conservation efforts. Without such measures, the future of cannabis farming in New Mexico remains uncertain.
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