There are still hazy areas in an already cloudy industry. Recreational marijuana burst onto the scene of the Las Vegas Valley in July of 2017 and although the amazing cannabis plant has been legalized, there are various actions that can still result in criminal prosecution. Laws tend to differ from common perception, and in the case of cannabis, this could not be more true. Las Vegas can be perceived as the city where anything goes, but there are still some rules to follow. Here is information to help clarify how “legalized” pot is legal and how to stay on the right side of the law.
If you’re visiting Vegas don’t forget your I.D. Just like purchasing alcohol or gambling, you must be at least 21 years of age to purchase marijuana. Once a cannabis product is purchased, it must be carried in the appropriate packaging, which is provided by the dispensary, and it must be kept away from children.
You might be planning on stocking up on your favorite products, but you will have to rethink that. According to Good to Know Nevada, consumers can possess up to an ounce of flower or an eighth of an ounce of concentrated marijuana. Plan your purchases accordingly, because you can’t travel with leftover treats.
The part of the law that affects a large group of Las Vegas tourists is the transportation laws in regards to cannabis. If you are coming from California or any other state, which millions of people do every year, it is illegal to transport cannabis across state lines or taken to the airport. Even though the substance is legal for recreational use in certain states, it is illegal to bring marijuana from those states to Nevada.
The sketchy part of this situation involves the consumption of the product. Think of yourself as a small child who is eagerly awaiting Christmas morning so you can open your presents and play with all your brand new toys. Now, Christmas morning is here, your presents are open, but you cannot play with those toys unless you are upstairs in your own personal bedroom. This feeling is the exact same as when a tourist purchases a cannabis product in Las Vegas. They are excited about shopping at a dispensary and are eagerly waiting to make their selection of cannabis happiness. After the product is purchased, this excitement filled adult is ripping open the package and ready to consume their new purchase, but, they are not able to legally consume this item because they are not at a personal residence. According to Leafly, “visitors lucky enough to know home-owning, cannabis-friendly locals,” are in luck when it comes to smoking. “For now, there are a handful of cannabis-friendly Airbnb’s not far off the Strip, and the promise of adults-only cannabis lounges in the future,” the article explains.
For the locals thinking that they can grow their own supply in the backyard now that recreational marijuana is legal, that is also untrue, unless you live more than 25 miles from the closest dispensary. Pot Guide.com states that “growing at home will be banned within 25 miles of any dispensary, effectively blocking most of the population of Nevada from growing their own flower.” Therefore, if you live near any form of modern civilization, there probably is a dispensary there and that means you can’t grow it yourself.
If you’re planning on indulging in Las Vegas, remember to be safe and not drive impaired, as Nevada’s DUI laws are in full effect. For more information or to learn about The Grove, visit thegrovenv.com or come on by!
