As CEO of Ultra Health, which operates more than two dozen licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico, Duke Rodriguez is a major voice in the state’s cannabis industry. Nearly three years after legal retail sales began in New Mexico, Rodriguez says the industry has been turned upside down. 

Prior to legalization, Rodriguez said the state had 35 licensees. Now, it’s over 3,000. Rodriguez says there is no more growth in the industry due to the oversaturation. “The green rush is officially dead,” he said on the latest episode of “Conversations Different.” 

Rodriguez talks about the need to slow down licensing, to crack down on the illicit market and require inspection prior to licensure. He says a rise in crime in the state has impacted his businesses, with frequent break-ins but no perpetrators being prosecuted.

The former Cabinet secretary for the state Human Services Department also talks about his time under former Gov. Gary Johnson, who first called for the legalization of marijuana in 1999. Rodriguez then talks about the race for governor, bringing up possible candidates and addressing his potential involvement. 

As CEO of Ultra Health, which operates more than two dozen licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in New Mexico, Duke Rodriguez is a major voice in the state&rsquo;s cannabis industry. Nearly three years after legal retail sales began in New Mexico, Rodriguez says the industry has been turned upside down.&nbsp;
Prior to legalization, Rodriguez said the state had 35 licensees. Now, it&rsquo;s over 3,000. Rodriguez says there is no more growth in the industry due to the oversaturation. &ldquo;The green rush is officially dead,&rdquo; he said on the latest episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Rodriguez talks about the need to slow down licensing, to crack down on the illicit market and require inspection prior to licensure. He says a rise in crime in the state has impacted his businesses, with frequent break-ins but no perpetrators being prosecuted.
The former Cabinet secretary for the state Human Services Department also talks about his time under former Gov. Gary Johnson, who first called for the legalization of marijuana in 1999. Rodriguez then talks about the race for governor, bringing up possible candidates and addressing his potential involvement.&nbsp;

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez says New Mexico's cannabis industry is 'at a tipping point'

New Mexico’s oil and gas industry is a touchy subject if you ask anyone. Supporters say it’s the lifeline to the state’s economy and without it, New Mexico wouldn’t have the luxuries or cashflow that it does. But on the flip side, opponents argue the industry is allowing contaminants to pollute the environment, putting communities’ health and future sustainability at risk.  

To understand a professional’s perspective on this debate, Missi Currier, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association, joins the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.   

Currier discusses with host Inez Russell Gomez what energy production means for the state and how it correlates to other industries that affect our economy and daily lives, from personal use products to public infrastructure.  

In the episode, Currier is asked about whether she thinks the state can transition away from oil and gas production and what that would look like given modern day environmental challenges.  

She also offers her view on the controversial topic of produced water.

New Mexico&rsquo;s oil and gas industry is a touchy subject if you ask anyone. Supporters say it&rsquo;s the lifeline to the state&rsquo;s economy and without it, New Mexico wouldn&rsquo;t have the luxuries or cashflow that it does. But on the flip side, opponents argue the industry is allowing contaminants to pollute the environment, putting communities&rsquo; health and future sustainability at risk.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To understand&nbsp;a&nbsp;professional&rsquo;s perspective on this&nbsp;debate,&nbsp;Missi Currier, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil &amp; Gas Association,&nbsp;joins&nbsp;the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast&nbsp;episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Currier discusses with host Inez Russell Gomez what energy production means for the state and how it correlates to other industries that affect our economy and daily lives, from personal use products to public infrastructure.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Currier is asked&nbsp;about&nbsp;whether she thinks the state can transition away&nbsp;from&nbsp;oil and gas&nbsp;production&nbsp;and what that would look like given&nbsp;modern day&nbsp;environmental challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;
She also offers her view on the controversial topic of produced water.

NMOGA’s Missi Currier discusses energy production in New Mexico and its role on the economy

Fourth of July celebrations are one of America’s favorite pastimes that honor our nation’s history and independence. Each year, friends and family mark the occasion in their own ways, but a common activity is fireworks.   

In Santa Fe, the Kiwanis Club puts on a fireworks display for the entire city to experience without having to pay the costs of doing it yourself or the risk of setting anything on fire. The event draws crowds of all ages who watch from afar as the night sky gets painted with color.  

However, the magic wouldn’t be possible without the support of fireworks experts such as Santa Fe native Nicolas Flores. He’s in charge of firing off the display.  

Flores joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez, what it takes to execute a successful Fourth of July fireworks show.  

The two delve into how Flores became certified to handle such explosives aside from his day job of being a massage therapist. He explains the process for getting the fireworks ready for launch and how they even have certain names.   

Flores also speaks on the change in venue this year, from Santa Fe Place mall to Gen. Franklin E. Miles Park, and what those logistics will entail for the festivities.

Fourth of July celebrations are one of America&rsquo;s favorite&nbsp;pastimes&nbsp;that&nbsp;honor&nbsp;our&nbsp;nation&rsquo;s&nbsp;history and&nbsp;independence.&nbsp;Each year,&nbsp;friends and family mark the occasion&nbsp;in their&nbsp;own ways,&nbsp;but&nbsp;a common activity&nbsp;is fireworks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
In Santa Fe, the Kiwanis Club puts on a fireworks display for the entire city to experience without having to pay the costs of doing it yourself or the risk of setting anything on fire. The event draws crowds of all ages who watch from afar as the night sky gets painted with color.&nbsp;&nbsp;
However, the&nbsp;magic&nbsp;wouldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;be possible&nbsp;without the&nbsp;support&nbsp;of&nbsp;fireworks experts such as&nbsp;Santa Fe native&nbsp;Nicolas&nbsp;Flores.&nbsp;He&rsquo;s&nbsp;in charge of&nbsp;firing&nbsp;off&nbsp;the&nbsp;display.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Flores joins&nbsp;the latest&nbsp;podcast&nbsp;episode&nbsp;of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo;&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;with host Inez Russell Gomez,&nbsp;what it takes to execute&nbsp;a&nbsp;successful&nbsp;Fourth of July fireworks&nbsp;show.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The two delve into&nbsp;how Flores became certified to handle such explosives&nbsp;aside from his day job of being a massage therapist. He explains the&nbsp;process&nbsp;for getting the fireworks&nbsp;ready&nbsp;for&nbsp;launch&nbsp;and how they even&nbsp;have certain&nbsp;names.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Flores&nbsp;also speaks on the change&nbsp;in&nbsp;venue&nbsp;this year, from Santa Fe Place mall to&nbsp;Gen.&nbsp;Franklin E. Miles Park, and what those&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;will entail for&nbsp;the festivities.

Santa Fe native Nicolas Flores shares what it takes to execute a 4th of July fireworks display

Santa Fe’s Railyard Park, located a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike. 

Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park’s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public’s use. Without preservation, developers could’ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.   

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit’s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park’s impact on Santa Fe.  

Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit’s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.  

Learn more by visiting railyardpark.org.

Santa Fe&rsquo;s Railyard Park,&nbsp;located&nbsp;a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is&nbsp;a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike.&nbsp;
Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park&rsquo;s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public&rsquo;s use. Without preservation, developers could&rsquo;ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit&rsquo;s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park&rsquo;s impact on Santa Fe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit&rsquo;s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn more&nbsp;by&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://railyardpark.org/">railyardpark.org.</a>

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez says New Mexico's cannabis industry is 'at a tipping point'

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