Representatives from the Clark County Commission and Las Vegas City Council are going to take their time granting permission for marijuana “consumption clubs” in Vegas.
At the moment, lawmakers in Nevada remain skeptical about the possibility of offering licenses to establishments for the purpose of opening and operating cannabis lounges of any kind.
Currently, there are a small number of private marijuana “consumption clubs” in operation in certain parts of Colorado. These clubs have been operating for years in the Colorado Springs area, but require patrons to join the private club with a membership in order to be inside the club. They will, however, sell daily or short term memberships so people can essentially walk in and join.
The Coffee Joint in Denver recently became the first business in that city to be given a social-use marijuana license, making it the first cannabis lounge in the area. This license allows adults, 21 or older, to consume cannabis. Customers can vape, dab, or eat their marijuana indoors, but must go outside to smoke due to existing indoor smoking bans. But lawmakers in Nevada remain unmoved in their commitment to “wait and see.”
In addition to these private clubs, there are a few non-licensed cannabis clubs which charge a monthly membership for those who wish to participate. Although officials might not be fully in favor of this model, they admit that these businesses are currently operating in a “gray area” because they do not sell marijuana, but customers can bring their own.
Under current law, marijuana cannot be consumed in public spaces in states where it is recreationally legal. But there is no precedent set yet for private spaces that operate on a membership basis. In effect, it’s kind of like a clubhouse where members meet to spend time and consume cannabis privately.
Lawmakers in Clark County and Las Vegas are clear in their position and feel they need to examine all sides of this discussion to find out what type of impact, if any, establishments like this could have on their communities.
They also cite a memo from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in terms of how likely their municipalities will begin to warm up to the idea of welcoming cannabis lounges. In the memo, Sessions urged all U.S. attorneys in states where marijuana is legal to enforce federal law (marijuana is still federally illegal) and root out people and businesses that deal, in any way, with cannabis.
Proponents and those in the marijuana industry say that safe spaces are needed in these areas where marijuana is recreationally legal but cannot be consumed in public. They maintain not offering spaces could be a disaster waiting to happen, for the general public, businesses, and law enforcement.
Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said the commission will hold any decision making until 2019, when the next session of the Nevada Legislature meets. He hopes that state legislations will be created allowing legal cannabis venues before they are granted at a local level.
