In an opinion issued on Monday, Nevada’s Legislative Counsel Bureau said that nothing in the state’s recreational cannabis law prevents local governments from permitting cannabis consumption at businesses, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The opinion effectively allows municipalities to create social-use licenses that could be granted to cannabis-friendly lounges, coffee shops, and special events such as festivals.
State Sen. Tick Seagerblom, the Democrat who sponsored the state’s medical cannabis regime and has long supported the adult-use program, said the decision adds to the state’s toolbox in becoming “the marijuana capital of the world.”
“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” Segerblom said in the report. “It’s fantastic.”
Andrew Jolley, CEO of The+Source dispensaries and president of the Nevada Dispensary Association, said the LCB opinion is “a step in the right direction” for allowing Nevada‘s tourists to consume cannabis, who need an option “rather than a blanket statement that it’s just not allowed on the Strip.” He added that businesses and regulators alike “will be surprised at how many locals find value in these lounges.”
“Think about how many bars we have or wine tasting facilities and events,” he said in the report. “It’s crazy to think that marijuana is somehow different than that. It’s really not.”
Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisloak indicated that the county’s marijuana advisory panel has discussed permitting retail dispensaries to host lounges, at least on a pilot basis and that the panel would likely discuss the topic during their meeting next month, and the commission would take up the issue at their meeting next week.
“I do feel it is very important for the people who are coming from out of town, the tourists, which are a big contributor to the industry’s business, I’m told, to have a place where they can legally and safely consume the product,” he said in an interview with the Review-Journal.
Seagerblon said he was optimistic Las Vegas could see cannabis lounges in 2018.
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End
