Reno City Council Shuts Down Recreational Cannabis Moratorium

Nevada is home to a number of small and large cities that act as an adult playground, and the majority of the adult cannabis culture is just waiting for the legal cannabis market and culture to open up. Well, Reno may soon join Las Vegas in growing their recreational cannabis access and market. Reno City Council shut down a proposal on April 26 for a moratorium on recreational cannabis dispensaries. As the state approaches it summer deadline to begin the early recreational cannabis program, these details are getting ironed out quickly.

The moratorium was supposed to temporarily stay any recreational applications from already existing medical dispensaries, which basically means that no Reno dispensaries would have been able to partake in the program. The members of the Reno City Council were not in favor of this proposal, originally introduced by Code Enforcement Manager Alex Woodley, who said that it would have given the city time to get familiar with the state regulations.

The Nevada Department of Taxation is going to allow already licensed dispensaries to begin selling recreational cannabis products to people 21-and-over beginning July 1.

The council asked the city’s legislative operations program manager, Scott Gilles, to come back to the council on May 10 and report on the Department of Taxation final temporary regulations that will dictate the early program through the end of the 2017.

At that time, the council will discuss cannabis consumption on cannabis business properties, lounges and clubs.

Councilman Paul McKenzie is doubtful that the city would be ready to enforce any regulations by January, let alone by July. Many aspects of this new program are complicated and ever-changing. Some of the new bills being introduced on this issue are even in conflict with one another, and many of them have been updated multiple times since their inception.

Technically, during the early start program the different cities in the state will have minimal roles in licensing and fees until permanent regulations are put into place no by January 1, 2018. Nevada’s permanent regulations are being developed by the Department of Taxation based on the recommendations of Governor Brian Sandoval’s Marijuana Task Force as well as by state legislation. The current Nevada Legislature session is set to be finished by June 5, 2017.