Farley’s pot measure focuses on marketing to kids

would permit more dispensaries, allow sales revenue to go toward preventing marijuana abuse, allow Nevada universities to conduct marijuana research and limit local governments from imposing higher taxes or additional restrictions on marijuana companies.

Municipal agencies said the local limits would strip them of their authority to decide if they want marijuana in their communities. Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, a sponsor of the bill, said he would be willing to work on that language.

could let some businesses use marijuana products without fear of being disciplined by licensing boards, effectively allowing for things such as marijuanainfused massages.

Businesses and agencies opposed a clause that would prevent companies from firing or disciplining an employee who spoke in favor of marijuana.

Only the first portion of was heard Tuesday. It calls for moving Nevada’s medical marijuana program from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health to the Department of Taxation.

Marijuana industry representatives supported the bill. Anti-marijuana advocates said moving medical marijuana from the health division would undermine the idea of using cannabis as medicine. with Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson.

“Some of these statements being made today are disgusting,” he said. “This is about greed over child safety. You’re not helping your case with a lot of members in this body.”

Farley said she expected several from the marijuana industry to oppose the packaging standards, but several testified in favor of the bill.

“I agree that we should ensure that our children are protected,” said Larry Smith, owner of G5 Cultivation in Las Vegas.

Many of the proposed regulations in Farley’s bill are now in practice, said Riana Durrett, executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association, which represents 90 percent of the dispensaries in Southern Nevada.

“They don’t want to see marijuana marketed to children in any way, sense or form,” Durrett said.

Most dispensaries have stopped selling edibles that resemble mascots, fruits, animals or cartoon characters, she added.

“I personally called all members to make sure they didn’t have gummy bears on their shelves,” Durrett said.

The bill also drew support from police agencies, local governments and other marijuana industry representatives.

No action was taken on the bill. Contact Colton Lochhead at clochhead@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Follow @ColtonLochhead on Twitter.