Is Weed Legal In Nevada? — A Rundown Of Nevada’s Marijuana Laws
Nevada’s journey towards legal weed began in 1998 when voters approved the first Medical Marijuana Initiative. Although most residents approved this measure, state law required two successful ballots to change the Nevada Constitution. So, voters had to pass Nevada’s MMJ Initiative yet again in 2000.
Starting in 2001, patients with a doctor’s approval could add their name to Nevada’s MMJ Registry. At first, MMJ cardholders could only cultivate cannabis on their property or hire a caretaker. Today, however, it’s legal for MMJ cardholders to purchase cannabis from an approved dispensary. Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services still handles the state’s MMJ Registry.
Interestingly, when lawmakers approved Nevada’s MMJ program, they included a provision to decriminalize small amounts of recreational pot. Under Assembly Bill 453, adults with less than one ounce of marijuana no longer faced jail time. Instead, first and second-time offenders would only have to pay a fine.
Throughout the early 2000s, there were many failed attempts to legalize recreational weed in Nevada. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that Nevadans successfully passed an adult-use marijuana initiative. Listed as Question 2, this successful ballot legalized the sale, purchase, and use of recreational cannabis for adults in Nevada.
Ever since Question 2 passed, Nevada’s Department of Taxation has approved at least 60 recreational dispensaries. Here are a few of the hottest names in the Silver State’s expanding dispensary market:
