Sunland Park, New Mexico, a small city on the border with Texas, has recently found itself at the center of the state’s booming cannabis industry. The city is already leading the state in cannabis sales, and now it’s home to the largest dispensary in the Land of Enchantment—all thanks to Mango Cannabis.
The Rise of Sunland Park’s Cannabis Industry
Sunland Park has been moving more cannabis than any other New Mexico city, largely due to the out-of-state traffic from El Paso, Texas. The proximity to El Paso has played a significant role, with residents from Texas crossing the border to purchase cannabis legally in New Mexico.
To capitalize on the demand, Mango Cannabis has opened a 9,000-square-foot dispensary in Sunland Park in December 2024, adding a major player to the city’s cannabis scene. Company representatives have stated they plan to expand even further across New Mexico.
A Record-Breaking December
The impact of cannabis sales in Sunland Park is undeniable. For example, Dark Matter’s Sunland Park store sold more than $1.4 million in cannabis in December 2024, making it the top-performing dispensary in New Mexico.
Field of Dreams wasn’t far behind, bringing in $1.1 million. Cookies, which opened its second New Mexico store in Sunland Park in August, had nearly $774,000 in recreational sales in December.
Even Mango Cannabis, which opened just before Christmas, had an impressive start, bringing in $91,363 in sales within its first week of operation.
Why Sunland Park?
Sunland Park’s proximity to El Paso, Texas, and its location in New Mexico, where cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use, makes it an attractive destination for those in nearby areas seeking cannabis products.
Many Texans are making the trip to Sunland Park (and Las Cruces) to legally purchase cannabis, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Mango Cannabis, which is based in Oklahoma (another state with legal medical marijuana), is no stranger to this cross-border business. With Texans flocking to New Mexico to legally buy cannabis, Oklahoma is benefiting from two sides of the border—pushing cannabis into Texas and New Mexico alike.
The Texas Connection
The influx of cannabis sales in Sunland Park raises a question for Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas state legislature: Are they keeping track of the revenue flowing out of Texas?
With Oklahoma and New Mexico reaping the benefits of the cannabis market, Texas could be missing out on a lucrative opportunity to fund important state projects and initiatives.
As neighboring states cash in on cannabis sales, Texas could benefit greatly if it were to legalize marijuana and capture some of the “green” revenue.