Nevada marijuana law takes effect Jan. 1: Know the legal dos and don’ts
Submitted by editor on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 1:50pm
On Jan. 1, marijuana becomes legal in Nevada, but that doesn’t signal that “anything goes” in the New Year. The Department of Taxation, which is tasked with implementing the law, is urging Nevadans to know what is and isn’t legal before they start celebrating in 2017.
While the new law goes into effect Jan. 1, it is only legal to purchase marijuana from a state-licensed medical dispensary or retail store, and those retail stores will not be licensed just yet. The Department of Taxation must first have regulations adopted that provide for the licensing of the stores and other marijuana establishments, like testing facilities.
“For Nevadans who aren’t medical cardholders, this means they’re going to have to wait until the retail stores are up and running before they can legally buy marijuana here,” said Deonne Contine, the Department of Taxation’s executive director. “The ballot initiative gives us until January 2018, but we’re aiming to have regulations in place that allow us to license those retail stores by this summer.”
In the meantime, The Department of Taxation offers a guide to what is still off limits under the new law.
• Using marijuana in any public place is illegal (misdemeanor with a fine of up to $600).
• Using marijuana in a moving vehicle is illegal, and driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
• Retail marijuana can only be sold by and purchased from licensed marijuana retailers.
• Marijuana cannot be possessed, purchased, grown, or used by anyone under the age of 21 unless they have a valid medical card.
• Adults 21 or older cannot possess more than one ounce of marijuana or one-eighth of an ounce of concentrated marijuana.
Those who plan to use or grow marijuana should also note that the new law does not prevent employers from enforcing their own workplace drug policies, nor does it prevent property owners from banning any kind of marijuana activity on their property.
“In addition to what is and isn’t legal, we also want to remind people to be safe with regard to kids and marijuana,” said Contine. “Make sure any marijuana in your home is secured and stored where children and teens can’t get to it.”
