One of the nation’s largest high-tech medical cannabis manufacturing and research facilities is about to set up shop in rural New Mexico, thanks to a $300 million investment from the Bright Green Corporation.
The new facility will be built at Bright Green’s corporate offices in Grants, NM, 80 miles west of Albuquerque, and is expected to create more than 170 construction jobs and an initial 200 research and agricultural jobs.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the development of another world-class research facility right here in New Mexico,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-NM, in a statement.
“New Mexico as a state has a legacy of leading in research and science. And Bright Green is an exciting partner that I’m glad has chosen to make an impact here. We have the talent, workforce and innovative spirit to make this forthcoming new industry a complete success. Investments like this one make me even more optimistic,” said Lujan Grisham, who signed a law in April 2021 to make recreational cannabis legal in the state. Medical cannabis was legalized in 1978 — New Mexico was the first state in the nation to do so.
The new investment comes after Bright Green executed a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to facilitate the production, storage, packaging and distribution of medical research marijuana.
“While much is written about the cannabis market, we believe the true contribution of cannabis lies in its medical applications,” said Ed Robinson, chief executive of Bright Green Corporation. “Our vision is to improve the quality of life across a broad demographic group through the opportunities presented by medicinal applications of plant-based therapies, including cannabis derived products.”
To obtain DEA authorization, applicants must demonstrate they possess appropriate state authority and employ adequate safeguards to prevent diversion.
“Legal compliance is at the crux of our company ethos, and we will comply with all federal, state and local laws to supply cannabis for federally sanctioned research. Bright Green will deliver consistent, pure, high quality organic cannabis and cannabis extracts that will provide safe inventory for cannabis researchers around the nation,” said Robinson.
“This accomplishment could not have been achieved without the demonstrated commitment of the DEA and the State of New Mexico,” he said.
