HB 294 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

CANNABIS PRODUCT PACKAGING REGULATIONS

HB 294 regulates cannabis product packaging to prevent designs that appeal to minors. It prohibits using artificial color additives not approved by the Cannabis Control Division and bans packaging with cartoon imagery, colors, or designs resembling products marketed to children. The bill directly affects cannabis manufacturers, retailers, and producers who package products for sale in New Mexico. Violations would render products "adulterated," though specific penalties are outlined in the bill text.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → CE substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to strengthen regulations on cannabis product packaging and labeling, specifically targeting protections against marketing appeals to minors. The CE substitute adds stricter rules prohibiting artificial color additives, restricts color use on packaging to black and white with limited exceptions, and bans cartoon imagery and designs resembling products marketed to children. It also clarifies that products containing unapproved artificial colors are considered adulterated.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general packaging regulations to include specific prohibitions on artificial color additives and enhanced restrictions on visual elements that could appeal to minors.

REQUIREMENT

Added prohibition on artificial color additives not expressly approved by the Cannabis Control Division, rendering such products adulterated.

Modified packaging requirements to limit color use to black and white, with exceptions only for warning statements, regulatory symbols, and non-minor-appealing licensee logos.

Added specific prohibitions on cartoons, imagery resembling non-cannabis products marketed to minors, and reflective or visually dynamic effects on packaging.

Modified label requirements to prohibit designs appealing to minors and mimicry of non-cannabis consumer products marketed to minors.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'cartoon' to include drawings, illustrations, or animations depicting exaggerated, stylized, or anthropomorphic features appealing to minors.

ENFORCEMENT

Added explicit penalty provision stating that offering or selling noncompliant products is a violation of the Cannabis Regulation Act, with liability regardless of third-party manufacturing unless sold in good faith based on compliance assurance.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Commerce & Economic Development Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors