Carson City leaders agree to first reading to outlaw cannabis lounges, consumption in public
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 07/15/2021 - 2:55pm
The Carson City Board of Supervisors voted Thursday to approve, on first reading, an ordinance that would outlaw cannabis consumption lounges and consumption of cannabis in public locations.
The second and final reading of the proposed ordinance will happen August 5.
The board voted unanimously to accept the Business Impact Statement (BIS).
The business impact statement found that the proposed ordinance will not impose a “direct and significant” economic burden upon any existing business, but will directly restrict the formation, operation or expansion of a business, according to the board.
No one from the industry responded for comment on the BIS, according to City Manager Nancy Paulson.
The board then discussed the proposed city ordinance outlawing lounges and public consumption.
Supervisor Maurice White stated they were premature in the proposal. He suggested a moratorium until they could see what the cannabis compliance board put forth with regulations.
Supervisor Stan Jones said he disagreed because they hadn’t heard from anyone in the industry.
Supervisor Stacey Giomi stated he is not against individuals using cannabis within their own private properties, but that he doesn’t understand the need for cannabis lounges. He also stated he wanted to prohibit the growth of cannabis in outdoor gardens of private properties, allowing only indoor growth.
Supervisor Lisa Schuette agreed she also did not oppose individuals consuming in their own homes, but was against cannabis lounges because it would put the public at risk of inebriated drivers.
Mayor Lori Bagwell stated when the retail locations were being proposed, they chose to allow two dispensary locations to keep individuals from growing cannabis on their properties, which would have been allowed under state law, and she stated did not support any further cannabis expansion.
Mayor Bagwell stated Assemblyman Yeager approved amendments to allow individual governments to approve or deny cannabis lounges within county or city lines at the behest of Carson City, which she was appreciative of.
The agenda item passed its first reading 4-1 with Supervisor White voting against. The second reading will take place on August 5.
