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New Mexico company aims to build the largest cannabis cultivation site in North America

Albuquerque Business First / Justina Grant
Published on April 19, 2018

New Mexico’s largest medical marijuana company is raising the stakes even higher.

Ultra Health, the state’s top-grossing medical marijuana company, is set to construct its new cultivation site, Ultra Health Tularosa, on 200 acres of farmland in Otero County, according to a news release.

Ultra Health announced its plans for the Tularosa cultivation facility in January, billing it as the largest cannabis cultivation campus in the state. But with over 8.7 million square feet, the Ultra Health Tularosa site will also take over as the largest cannabis cultivation facility in North America, according to Growers Network, a private community for cannabis professionals.

The company says the site is in anticipation of the legalization of cannabis for social use and large-scale hemp production in New Mexico. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca recently called for the legalization of recreational marijuana use, reported KRQE. Apodaca said New Mexico could be missing out on potential jobs and an estimated $200 million in tax revenue brought on by the industry.

Ultra Health’s mission is to “supply New Mexico with a diverse variety of high-quality cannabis that satisfies each and every client and propels the Land of Enchantment to unprecedented heights.”

The new site will include 20 acres of indoor cultivation, 80 acres of outdoor cannabis fields, 100 acres of outdoor hemp fields and 120,000 square feet of production buildings, says the release.

Ultra Health says the new facility will have the capacity to accommodate other licensed producers in New Mexico. There are 35 licensed nonprofit producers of medical marijuana in the state.

Ultra Health also says it aims to lead in sustainability by integrating modern agribusiness and green technologies, including solar, wind and rainwater harvesting. The sustainable site will take advantage of natural sunlight and secure water rights to 1,000 acre-feet of water, equivalent to 325.9 million gallons of water per year, according to the release.

“Ultra Health Tularosa was conceived to solve a challenge and to seize an opportunity,” said Ultra Health CEO and president Duke Rodriguez in the release. “This new facility will ensure the commitment of continuing to produce and deliver the highest quality, most affordable and convenient cannabis in the state.”

Representatives of Otero County are said to be in support of Ultra Health’s new venture, reported Alamogordo Daily News.

“Your company will bring much needed jobs and economic development to our county and we offer our support to your project,” wrote the Otero County Board of Commissioners in an official letter to Rodriguez.

Ultra Health Tularosa plans to employ 100 local residents, says the release.

In an attempt to redefine the cannabis dispensary experience, Ultra Health also recently announced the establishment of another upcoming venture — Ultra Health’s Emporio in Albuquerque — which will include a live cannabis plants display, cooking with cannabis demos, film screenings on the history of cannabis, a hemp boutique, gift shop and on-site medical certification help.

Ultra Health is ranked No. 1 on Business First’s list of Medical Marijuana Companies in New Mexico. In 2017, the company earned $10.5 million in total revenue, as reported by Business First.

Sale of medical cannabis is expected to reach $88 million by 2022 in New Mexico.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller recently signed a bill to decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana punishable with a $25 civil fine.

New Mexico became the 12th state to legalize the use of regulated medical marijuana with the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act in 2007, according to the NM Department of Health.