According to Nevada’s Legislative Counsel Bureau there are currently no laws in place preventing local governments in the state from issuing business licenses for marijuana consumption lounges where tourists and locals could consume recreational marijuana legally.
Consumption on casino property is still illegal, according to Las Vegas Review Journal.
Andrew Jolley of The Source dispensary in Las Vegas believes the lounges are a step in the right direction. Jolley is also the president of the Nevada Dispensary Association. He said, “We have to be able to give tourists an option rather than a blanket statement that it’s just not allowed on the Strip. We’ll be surprised at how many locals find value in these lounges. Think about how many bars we have or wine tasting facilities and events. It’s crazy to think that marijuana is somehow different than that. It’s really not.”
Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom said, “I really believe that Nevada can be the marijuana capital of the world. And this will be one more thing in our toolbox.”
Local governments in Nevada are free to allow or disallow recreational marijuana consumption lounges in their jurisdictions. The Clark County marijuana advisory panel has discussed the lounges opening in Las Vegas, and a pilot program allowing on-site dispensary consumption is being considered.
Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said, “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.“
While the scope of consumption lounges isn’t clear in Clark County, Sisolak said, “I’d want to make sure that any of the marijuana being consumed was purchased from a licensed dispensary or grown in a home that has a license, (and) not illegally obtained product.”
Senator Segerblom introduced a bill earlier in 2017 regarding consumption lounges, but Governor Sandoval’s expressed concerned tabled the progress. Regarding the recent developments, Segerblom said, “This is what we’ve been waiting for. It’s fantastic.”