Nevada regulators approved the first conditional licenses in the state for cannabis consumption lounges, bringing three operators closer to opening adult-only spaces.
Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board announced first in November that it had granted 40 potential consumption lounge licenses to businesses who had submitted the requisite paperwork. Three of these entities are now moving on to the next stage, obtaining authorization to build out the lounges. They could then open, pending a local approval and a final inspection.
The conditional licenses were granted to Planet 13, The Venue at Sol Cannabis, and Thrive Cannabis Marketplace.
CCB adopted revised regulations at its meeting on Tuesday to “allow greater flexibility in the air ventilation requirements for Cannabis consumption lounges, further reducing entry barriers for all potential licensees, including social equity applicants.”
To live stream the board meeting, visit: https://t.co/hDqzp9wGdm https://t.co/ppqCM8TuSE
— Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (@NevadaCCB) June 20, 2023
The 40 licenses granted in late 2013 were divided between 20 new businesses and social equity applicants. The remaining 20 licenses were granted to existing cannabis retailers who planned to expand their social use areas.
In October, the regulators received 100 applications for a new license type.
The latest news comes two years after the then-Gov. Steve Sisolak, (D), signed a bill by Assemblyman Steve Yeager, (D), legalizing consumption lounges.
CCB passed regulations for marijuana lounges in the summer of last year. The law may also allow businesses to combine cannabis with yoga, serve food infused with THC, provide massage therapy aided by THC, or incorporate marijuana other ways.
In a op-ed published in Marijuana Moment on 4/20 of this year, the former governor praised Nevada’s lounge laws, saying: “The idea may not be new, but nobody is doing it as we do in Nevada.”
He said that while most consumption lounges do not offer food, drinks or other entertainment options, the lounges in Nevada will be an all-in-one entertainment center to create jobs, grow our industry and boost the economy.
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According to the rules approved by the board, consumption must remain hidden from view. Smoking or vaping is prohibited in the lounge. Cannabis products that are intended for single-use or those ready to consume cannot be taken off site. Businesses must also provide free water to all guests.
Cannabis will be the only product sold in lounges. Alcohol, nicotine or tobacco products are prohibited.
Lounges are also required to implement plans to reduce the exposure of workers to secondhand smoke and to cannabis impairment. Guns are banned, surveillance is mandatory and procedures need to be put in place to reduce or respond to potentially violent behavior.
The regulations limit the amount of cannabis that can be used in a single-use product to 3.5 grams. “Extracted inhalable products” (such a dabbing or vaping products) are restricted to 300 milligrams THC. All single-use cannabis products that contain more than one gram of usable marijuana, as well as all extracted inhalables must have written warnings about potency.
The maximum amount of THC in edibles that are ready to consume is 10 milligrams, which is a standard dose for states where cannabis has been legalized for adult use.
Topicals are restricted to 400 milligrams THC. Transdermal patches, all cannabis products and other cannabis-based products are limited to 100 milligrams of THC. They must also carry a warning if the product contains more than 10 mg.
The current Nevada governor has signed a comprehensive marijuana reform bill that will double the limit for personal possession, consolidate licensing rules, and allow people with previous felony convictions to participate in the market.
Gov. Joe Lombardo, (R), also signed this bill in the month of April. It will establish a new group to study psychedelics as well as develop a plan for regulated access to therapeutic purposes.
The legislature recently passed a resolution calling on Congress to legalize marijuana at the federal level.
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Martin Alonso is the photographer of this photo.
The first conditional licenses for marijuana consumption lounges in Nevada were approved by Nevada regulators .
