Las Vegas marijuana business owners this week received a letter from the Clark County Business License Department reaffirming regulations for pot consumption in the area.
The letter, issued Monday by Department of Business License Director Jaqueline Holloway, threatens to suspend or take away licenses of dispensaries for any involvement with non-licensed pot businesses and anything “that promotes public consumption.”
“We write to remind you that public consumption of marijuana is unlawful,” Holloway’s letter states before listing over a half-dozen types different violations. “The only place in which it is legal to consume marijuana is at a private residence for private use.”
The letter said pot businesses can’t publicize marijuana yoga and swimming events, nor parties and dinners, “even if the events are held in a private residence.” Holloway also labeled pot consumption on tour buses and limousines “unlawful.”
Holloway directed comment to county spokesman Erik Pappa, who said the letter was issued in response to “several” violations across the county, including a dispensary that was advertising weed-assisted karate and yoga sessions.
“We’ve had several businesses that seem to be involved in efforts to promote public and social consumption,” Pappa said. “We don’t want our licensees doing that.”
Nevada Dispensary Association president Andrew Jolley of The+Source Dispensary said the letter was the first time he could remember seeing a notice from Holloway’s office threatening to take away business licenses.
“It’s the first one I’ve seen like that,” Jolley said. “Strong.”
Jolley was one of 12 members of the marijuana, gaming, resort and retail industries to participate in the Clark County Green Ribbon Panel earlier this year. It was designed to provide recommendations to the County Commission on implementing recreational pot, which was legalized by voter approval in last November’s election.
The panel, which met four times from March 27 to April 24, presented their recommendations to the Commission on May 2. Panelists will meet again Friday for the first time since then.
Jolley said he expects to address the points outlined in the letter.
“The consensus was we need to continue to work on some of these issues,” he said. “This will be a good opportunity to do that.”
Link – Las Vegas Sun
