Nevada: Lawmakers Approve Measure to Regulate Cannabis Consumption Lounges

Members of the Nevada state legislature have given final approval to legislation seeking to regulate on-site cannabis consumption.

The measure now heads to the desk of Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak, who is expected to sign the bill into law.

Assembly Bill 341 would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and consume adult use cannabis products on-site at any licensed “cannabis consumption lounge.”

The measure would regulate two different types cannabis consumption lounges. One group would be reserved for existing marijuana dispensary license holders who can then apply to operate an on-site cannabis consumption lounge. The other designation would be for new, independent businesses to apply for a license to operate an “independent cannabis consumption lounge” which is not attached to or adjacent to an existing retailer. The bill also provides for reduced license application fees for qualifying social equity applicants.

Local governments can enact policies restricting access to cannabis consumption lounges under this bill.

Alaska and Colorado have previously enacted legislation explicitly permitting social consumption sites for cannabis, and New York’s nascent adult-use law also regulates on-site facilities.

Nevada lawmakers recently sent a slew of additional marijuana-related bill to the governor’s desk, including measures amending marijuana penalties for minors and rescinding per se driving thresholds for THC. Gov. Sisolak recently signed legislation into law permitting consumers to obtain cannabis products via curbside pickup.