‘NOBODY KNOWS WHO REGULATES WHAT,’ COMMISSIONER CONTENDS

On June 21, 10 days before legal sales of marijuana for recreational uses began in Nevada, Digipath Labs was brought before the Zoning Board for sending out an email promoting a third-party event that paired food and marijuana. (The event was later canceled.) In hopes of avoiding a public hearing and possible license revocation, the medical marijuana business volunteered its own punishment, much the way that universities do after getting into hot water with the NCAA.

Digipath Labs’ offer included a donation of $50,000 to a medical study on substance abuse, the creation and offering of educational lectures regarding marijuana, and the production and distribution of handbooks on recreational marijuana laws.

Commissioners accepted the offer and opted not to proceed with the revocation process, but several members stressed that such a solution was not viable in the long term.

Staff agreed that clear guidelines were needed to ensure consistent application among all businesses.

They also cautioned that the recreational marijuana industry would run on temporary provisions until Jan. 1, such that waiting might be prudent to align with permanent ones.

Jacqueline Holloway, the county’s director of business licensing, told the commissioners this week that staff members were already part of a “joint enforcement group” that included her department, Metro Police and officials from the county’s cities. That group is looking into the issue of weed party buses, among other issues.

“We’re beginning to collect data and be proactive,” Holloway said.

Asked about marijuana-related arrests since recreational sales began July 1, Holloway said she only knew of one.

Commissioners took no action on creating a weed control board, but the issue of increased scrutiny of marijuana-related businesses is likely to persist.

“People need to know we’re serious,” Kirkpatrick said.

Commissioner this week accepted a business impact study on a proposed ordinance to prohibit the possession or advertisement of marijuana at local airports. That ordinance is up for adoption on Aug. 1. april.corbin@gmgvegas.com / 702-259-4185 / @ aprilcore