By Soyoung Kim / KRQE 

Published on September 9, 2016

 

 

BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) – The Department of Health is not too thrilled that a state-licensed medical marijuana greenhouse was used as the setting for a music video.

There are concerns about security — and that it glamorizes smoking something that’s supposed to be used for medicine.

The medical marijuana company could be in big trouble now, however, they insist they did nothing wrong.

This music video shows one local artist talking about his love for his hometown of Albuquerque. But the primary location of the shoot, a state-licensed medical marijuana producer’s greenhouse in Bernalillo, is now under fire.

“We just said yes, we would love to be a part of it. We thought it was fun,” said Leonard Salgado, Ultra Health.

Ultra Health agreed to the request, no questions asked. However, the state’s Medical Cannabis Program did have questions. Ultra Health said they received an email last week from the Department of Health asking about the video shoot.

But insists they didn’t do anything wrong.

“There aren’t any rules of regulations that would prohibit us from shooting any kind of video,” said Salgado.

Ultra Health is one of 35 state-licensed producers in New Mexico. KRQE News 13 reached out to the Department of Health, and were sent this statement.

“Licensed producers are required to have security policies and procedures in place addressing personal safety and crime prevention techniques.” See NMAC 7.34.4.20  SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED PRODUCERS

KRQE News 13 spoke to substance abuse counselors in town, and their main concern is that the video glamorizes marijuana.

“It’s very influential, we see it on television, we see it on movies and of course, friends and family have a serious impact on drug and alcohol abuse,” said David Lepori / A New Awakening, Substance Abuse Counselor.

Ultra Health said that wasn’t the point.

“It was really to promote New Mexico,” said Salgado.

Ultra Health has not responded to the email from the state yet, the company has until Sept. 16 to do so.

Like all the medical marijuana producers in the state – Ultra Health is required to have extensive security measures in place. The company said the video crew was supervised closely.