Las Vegas Green Lights its First 24-Hour Dispensary

Recreational cannabis has been legal in Nevada since the beginning of the year, but until recently, it wasn’t available in Las Vegas, the city that doesn’t sleep, for all hours of the day.

Las Vegas City Council has approved a request by Oasis Cannabis to allow the dispensary to operate 24 hours a day. Currently, dispensaries are allowed to operate between 6 a.m. and 3 a.m. as set by the city. The ordinance allows the city council to amend hours on a case-by-case basis. While Nevada doesn’t allow all dispensaries to open for 24 hours, it works on a case-by-case basis, and North Las Vegas currently allows four dispensaries to operate 24 hours a day.

“There are 24-hour businesses all around us, it makes sense operationally,” said Ben Sillitoe, CEO and co-founder of Oasis Cannabis. “We have people lined up at our door at 6 a.m., and we are rushing people out at 3 a.m.” Oasis Cannabis is first of 10 dispensaries in Las Vegas to request the 24-hour schedule and is unlikely to be the last.

“We suspect now that one dispensary has (received approval), others will come forward,” said Mary McElhone, business license section manager for the city. McElhone also mentioned that as long as the dispensaries are in good standing and don’t have any issues, there shouldn’t be a problem with approval.

The city could amend the existing rules to make 24-hour operating hours the default, and the Clark County Commission has shown its support in doing just that. Chairman Steve Sisolak and Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani have voiced reasons why cannabis dispensaries should be open for 24 hours, citing security issues in addition to the financial issues that closing for three hours brings.

“Business model-wise, we’re a 24-hour town, so it makes sense,” Giunchigliani said.

Oasis Cannabis is now currently operating for the full 24-hour business day.