Some Nev. counties behind on pot plans

Nevada’s large counties have put the state’s new medical marijuana law on hold as they move toward developing regulations, while some smaller jurisdictions haven’t even begun to deal with the rules authorizing dispensaries and growers.

Representatives of Nevada counties and Marla McDade Williams of the state Health Division said there are numerous questions to be resolved, including what application information is confidential and appeal rights for applicants denied a permit. There also are issues about where marijuana establishments can be opened, as well as safety and security issues and inspections, local fees and other potential questions.

The counties are all trying to respond to the law passed by the 2013 Legislature setting up a system of marijuana growers, producers of edible products, dispensaries and testing labs to provide holders of medical marijuana cards with a way to get the drug.

“I’m becoming increasingly pessimistic this can work and be effective,” said state Sen. Greg Brower, R-Reno, pointing to the complexities local officials are finding in implementing the law.

The entire plan is still compromised by the fact possession and use of any marijuana remains a federal crime, he said.

Conceding that he voted for the law, he said, “I’m just not sure this can work.”

The bill’s author Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, however, pointed out that every local government has the right to “opt out” of the system.

Clark and Washoe counties are moving forward to develop regulations for permitting cultivators, dispensaries and producers of edibles, but neither has committed to actually allowing them.

Jacqueline Holloway of the Clark County business licensing department said that county commission voted in November to proceed with work on licensing and land-use issues. She said the county expects to adopt the state’s regulations and will handle licensing of marijuana establishments “very much the same way we handle liquor and gaming licenses.”

The subject is on the Clark County Commission’s Feb. 5 agenda.

Bob Webb of Washoe County said commissioners there voted in November not to accept applications until after they develop and adopt regulations. Like Clark officials, he said, Washoe intends to handle medical marijuana applications “through licensing like any other license application.” The plan is to have those issues resolved by June, he said.

Carson City’s board of Supervisors voted to put a 180-day moratorium on accepting license applications in place, with plans to take up the issue of whether to allow dispensaries and growers in the capital next month.

Among the small counties, only Lyon and Storey responded with ordinances banning participation in the medical marijuana program.

The issue is on Douglas County’s Feb. 6 agenda while Churchill and most other counties are reviewing the new law.

The testimony came at this week’s meeting of the Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice.