Nevada Governor signs Omnibus Marijuana bill to increase possession limits and remove industry barriers

The Nevada governor has signed a comprehensive marijuana reform bill. This bill doubles the limit for personal possession, consolidates licensing regulations and expands eligibility to participate in the market.

Gov. Joe Lombardo, (R), gave his final approval on Wednesday to the legislation sent to him by Sen. Dallas Harris, (D). This was less than a week after it had been formally submitted to his desk.

The measure revises the existing laws in the state, including increasing the limit on cannabis possession and purchases from an ounce to two and a half ounces. Adults can now possess twice as much cannabis concentrate, from an eighth of an inch to a quarter of an inch.

It also means that adult-use marijuana stores will not need a separate license for medical cannabis to serve their patients. Retailers who sell recreational marijuana will be automatically granted a dual license.

After January 1, 2024, regulators will not be able to renew or issue medical marijuana licenses unless the applicant lives in a jurisdiction which has chosen not to allow adult-use facilities. Patients who use medical cannabis would not be subject to the state excise taxes at recreational retailers.

The new law will also reduce the fees for renewing and applying for licenses.

A major change is that regulators will have discretion in deciding whether to issue marijuana business licenses for people who have prior felony convictions.

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Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board can approve licenses for key stakeholders in a cannabis company with such convictions, if they “determine that this would not be a threat to public safety or health or negatively impact on the cannabis industry of this State.”

The board must also “impose any conditions or limitations on the grant of an exemption, that it determines are necessary to preserve public health and safety and to mitigate the impact on the cannabis industry of this State.”

The law also requires the state Cannabis Advisory Commission (SCA) to conduct a study on the effects of removing cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

A county court has ruled that the state’s classification of cannabis as Schedule I controlled substances despite its legalization last year is unconstitutional. The state Board of Pharmacy has appealed the ruling.

The legislation also requires regulators to determine whether any proposed rule changes for the industry will “have an adverse impact on the environment” and, if they do, whether or not there are ways to reduce or eliminate this adverse effect that would not impose a financial burden on holders an adult-use marijuana establishment license or a medical cannabis establishment licence.

Lombardo signed this month a bill that will create a working group to study the psychedelics, and 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.

NCAA panel recommends removing marijuana from the list of banned substances for college athletes

Photo by WeedPornDaily.

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