This document is intended to provide information and resources for businesses that are researching Nevada cannabis regulations including links to license applications for growers, processors, distributors, dispensaries, and labs. It includes some basic information on how to get a marijuana business license in Nevada as well as a comprehensive list of links to forms and applications and additional resources. This information was last updated on 11/11/2019.
In the year 1998, 59 percent of Nevada voters said “yes” to Question 9, a ballot initiative calling for a constitutional amendment to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana. However, because the initiative was a constitutional amendment it required approval in two consecutive elections in order to become law. The measure was, indeed, passed a second time in 2000 with 65% of the vote.
Medical use was officially legalized in June, 2001 with the passage of Assembly Bill 453. The measure took effect on October 1, that same year. However, the bill did not establish a commercial market for cannabis. Rather it only allowed approved patients to grow up to 12 cannabis plants.
It was not until June 12, 2013 when Governor Brian Sandoval signed Senate Bill 374 that commercial production, distribution, and retail of medical marijuana was made legal.
The first Provisional certificates for legal commercial medical marijuana operations were limited to 372 businesses within the state: 182 for cultivation, 118 for production, 55 for dispensaries and 17 for independent testing laboratories. However, only 12 licenses were initially awarded for dispensaries.
The first dispensary to begin operations was in Las Vegas, Nevada. Euphoria Wellness opened to patients on August 24, 2015. At that time the patient count was nearing 10,000.
In 2016, 54 percent of Nevada voters approved Question 2, the Initiative to Regulate and Tax Marijuana. The measure called for legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and over.
Nevada recreational marijuana sales officially launched January 1, 2017.
The Nevada state Department of Taxation is responsible for licensing and regulating marijuana businesses. As of July 1, 2017, the Department is also responsible for the state's medical marijuana program.
From May 15-31, 2017, the Department accepted applications for an “early start program” slated to run from July 1 through the end of 2017. For this program, only operational medical marijuana establishment certificate holders "in good standing" could apply for retail recreational marijuana license.
The full recreational marijuana program launched in early 2018 when the drafted permanent regulations.
There are five types of retail marijuana establishment licenses:
At the time of writing, the Department is not currently accepting applications for marijuana licenses or medical marijuana registration certificates.
According to their website, the Department will issue a 45-day notice prior to the opening of an application period. The application will be made available at the time of notification.
To be notified, sign up at the link below.
Documents related to previous application periods:
There are limitations on who can work for or volunteer at a retail marijuana business:
All employees and volunteers of a marijuana business must apply for and receive a registered agent card. The agent card is issued by the state, and a background check must be completed as part of the application process.
The requirements for obtaining an agent card changed in the 2017 legislative session. The agent card application and checklist are available at the Marijuana Agent Portal.
You must create an account, complete the required information, begin the background check process and pay. Instructions for each step are on the Agent Portal.
If you have questions, contact the Department's Marijuana Agent Card staff at 775-687-7502 or email marijuana@tax.state.nv.us.
Assembly Bill No. 533 relates to the following topics:
Assembly Bill 533 exempts a person who holds a valid registry identification card or letter of approval from state prosecution for possession, delivery and production of marijuana, and generally decriminalizes the purchase, possession and use of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia for persons who are 21 years of age or older.
Existing law also generally exempts a person who holds a valid medical marijuana establishment registration certification or license to operate a marijuana establishment from state prosecution for possession, delivery and production of marijuana and provides for the licensing and regulation of such establishments by the Department of Taxation. (Chapters 453A and 453D of NRS)
Under the provisions of this bill, the term “marijuana,” as used under the provisions of existing law governing the marijuana industry in this State, is replaced with the term “cannabis.”
Section 245 - Repeals the provisions of existing law governing the medical use of marijuana and the use of marijuana by persons 21 years of age or older in this State.
Sections 2-187 Generally: (1) reenact, revise and reorganize these provisions into a new title of NRS; and (2) transfer the authority to license and regulate persons and establishments involved in the marijuana industry in this
Section 16 - Designates the use of cannabis by a person 21 years of age or older as the “adult use of cannabis.”
Section 8 - Designates certain establishments that engage in certain business related to the adult use of cannabis as “adult-use cannabis establishments.”
Section 46 - Designates the use of cannabis by a person to mitigate the symptoms or effects of a chronic or debilitating medical condition, as defined in section 128 of this bill, as the “medical use of cannabis.” Section 39 of this bill designates certain establishments that engage in certain business related to the medical use of cannabis as “medical cannabis establishments.”
Section 52 - Creates the Cannabis Advisory Commission, which includes ex officio members and members appointed by the Governor, for the purposes of studying issues and making recommendations to the Cannabis Compliance Board related to the regulation of cannabis in this State.
Section 54 - Creates the Cannabis Compliance Board, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor and generally modeled after the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Section 58 - Sets the annual salaries for each member of the Board.
Sections 59-82- Set forth the powers and duties of the Board, which generally consist of the regulation, licensing and registration of establishments and persons engaged in the production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products in this State.
Section 65 - Sets forth procedures by which the Board is authorized to adopt regulations and provides a procedure for the Legislative Commission to review and object to such regulations. Section 66 of this bill provides that certain records, information and data relating to certain licensees or registrants are confidential. Section 67 of this bill: (1) requires the Board to perform certain audits of the accounts, programs, funds, activities and functions of licensees; and (2) authorizes the Board to require the Department of Taxation to perform a tax audit of licensees. Sections 68-82 of this bill set forth the procedures by which the Board may take disciplinary action against a licensee or registrant.
Sections 84-123 - Reenact and revise provisions of existing law governing the licensure of marijuana establishments, medical marijuana establishments and medical marijuana establishment agents, and reorganize these provisions into a new chapter of NRS governing the licensure of cannabis establishments and registration of cannabis establishment agents.
Section 104 - Requires each person who holds an ownership interest of more than 5 percent in a cannabis establishment to obtain a cannabis establishment agent registration card for a cannabis executive. Section 106 of this bill authorizes the Board to impose certain requirements and standards on a licensee that is a business entity under certain circumstances.
Section 116 - Prohibits a person who does not hold a license issued pursuant to the provisions of this bill from: (1) engaging in certain advertising relating to cannabis; (2) selling, offering to sell or appearing to sell cannabis or cannabis products; or (3) allowing the submission of an order for cannabis or cannabis products.
Sections 125-171 - Reenact and revise provisions of existing law governing the medical use of marijuana and reorganize such provisions into a new chapter of NRS governing the medical use of cannabis.
Sections 139-144 and 166-169 - Reenact provisions of existing law governing the issuance of registry identification cards and letters of approval and the regulation of the holders of such cards and letters by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. The reenactment of those provisions is not intended to substantively change those provisions, but merely to recodify the existing law alongside the other provisions of this bill.
Sections 173-187 - Reenact and revise provisions of existing law governing the use of marijuana by persons 21 years of age or older and reorganize such provisions into a new chapter of NRS governing the adult use of cannabis.
Existing law provides that it is lawful, and must not be the basis for prosecution or penalty by the State or a political subdivision of this State and must not in this State be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets, for a person 21 years of age or older to engage in certain actions relating to marijuana. (NRS 453D.110, 453D.130)
Existing law similarly provides that it is lawful for certain marijuana establishments to engage in certain actions relating to marijuana. (NRS 453D.120)
Section 178 - Provides for similar protections for persons and establishments engaged in certain actions relating to the adult use of cannabis. However, section 178 is modeled after the provisions of section 137 of this bill and provides an exemption from State prosecution for persons 21 years of age or older and cannabis establishments from certain actions relating to the adult use of cannabis.
Sections 150 and 185 - Allow a dual licensee to combine the inventory of its medical cannabis establishments and adult-use cannabis establishments for the purpose of maintaining its inventory control system and require a dual licensee to designate a sale to be pursuant to either the provisions of this bill relating to the medical use of cannabis or the provisions of this bill relating to the adult use of cannabis.
Sections 151 and 185 - Authorize a medical cannabis dispensary and an adult-use cannabis retail store to contract with a third party or intermediary business to deliver cannabis or cannabis products under certain circumstances.
Section 196 - Exempts the Cannabis Compliance Board from the requirements of the Nevada Administrative Procedure Act. (NRS 233B.039)
Sections 197.5, 198.5 and 199.5 - Prohibit a local government from licensing a business which allows the consumption of cannabis on its premises or allowing such a business to operate.
Section 239.5 - Requires the Cannabis Compliance Board to conduct a study relating to such businesses.
Existing law authorizes the State Department of Agriculture to adopt certain regulations relating to the testing of crops of industrial hemp and commodities and products made using industrial hemp by an independent testing laboratory. (NRS 557.270)
Sections 213.5 and 227 - Divides the responsibility for the adoption of regulations relating to industrial hemp and commodities and products made using hemp between the State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Section 213.5 - Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt regulations governing the testing and labeling of commodities and products made using industrial hemp and certain similar products containing cannabidiol which are intended for human consumption.
Section 227 - Authorizes the State Department of Agriculture to adopt regulations governing all other industrial hemp and all other commodities and products made using industrial hemp.
A person shall not engage in the business of a medical cannabis establishment unless the person holds a medical cannabis establishment license issued by the Board pursuant to this section.
A person who wishes to engage in the business of a medical cannabis establishment must submit to the Board an application on a form prescribed by the Board.
Except as otherwise provided in sections 92, 93 and 94 of this act, not later than 90 days after receiving an application to engage in the business of a medical cannabis establishment, the Board shall register the medical cannabis establishment and issue a medical cannabis establishment license and a random 20-digit alphanumeric identification number if:
(a) the person who wishes to operate the proposed medical cannabis establishment has submitted to the Board all of the following:
(1) The application fee, as set forth in section 107 of this act;
(2) An application, which must include: – 33 – - 80th Session (2019)
(I) The legal name of the proposed medical cannabis establishment;
(II) The physical address where the proposed medical cannabis establishment will be located and the physical address of any co-owned additional or otherwise associated medical cannabis establishments, the locations of which may not be within 1,000 feet of a public or private school that provides formal education traditionally associated with preschool or kindergarten through grade 12 and that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed medical cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board, within 300 feet of a community facility that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed medical cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board or, if the proposed medical cannabis establishment will be located in a county whose population is 100,000 or more, within 1,500 feet of an establishment that holds a nonrestricted gaming license described in subsection 1 or 2 of NRS 463.0177 and that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed medical cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board;
(III) Evidence that the applicant controls not less than $250,000 in liquid assets to cover the initial expenses of opening the proposed medical cannabis establishment and complying with the provisions of this title;
(IV) Evidence that the applicant owns the property on which the proposed medical cannabis establishment will be located or has the written permission of the property owner to operate the proposed medical cannabis establishment on that property;
(V) For the applicant and each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of the proposed medical cannabis establishment, a complete set of the person’s fingerprints and written permission of the person authorizing the Board to forward the fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its report; and
(VI) The name, address and date of birth of each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of the proposed medical cannabis establishment;
(3) Operating procedures consistent with rules of the Board for oversight of the proposed medical cannabis establishment, including, without limitation:
(I) Procedures to ensure the use of adequate security measures; and – 34 – - 80th Session (2019)
(II) The use of an electronic verification system and an inventory control system pursuant to sections 149 and 150 of this act;
(4) If the proposed medical cannabis establishment will sell or deliver medical cannabis products, proposed operating procedures for handling such products which must be preapproved by the Board;
(5) If the city or county in which the proposed medical cannabis establishment will be located has enacted zoning restrictions, proof that the proposed location is in compliance with those restrictions and satisfies all applicable building requirements; and
(6) Such other information as the Board may require by regulation;
(b) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment have been convicted of an excluded felony offense;
(c) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment have:
(1) Served as an owner, officer or board member for a cannabis establishment that has had its medical cannabis establishment license or adult-use cannabis establishment license revoked;
(2) Previously had a cannabis establishment agent registration card revoked; or
(3) Previously had a cannabis establishment agent registration card for a cannabis executive revoked; and
(d) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment are under 21 years of age.
Fingerprinting - For each person who submits an application pursuant to this section, and each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of a proposed medical cannabis establishment, the Board shall submit the fingerprints of the person to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the criminal history of that person.
Expiration - A medical cannabis establishment license expires 1 year after the date of issuance and may be renewed upon:
(a) Submission of the information required by the Board by regulation; and
(b) Payment of the renewal fee set forth in section 107 of this act.
Licensing criteria - In determining whether to issue a medical cannabis establishment license pursuant to this section, the Board shall consider the criteria of merit set forth in section 94 of this act.
Distance from establishment - For the purposes of sub-subparagraph (II) of subparagraph (2) of paragraph (a) of subsection 3, the distance must be measured from the front door of the proposed medical cannabis establishment to the closest point of the property line of a school, community facility or gaming establishment.
As used in this section, “community facility” means:
(a) A facility that provides day care to children.
(b) A public park.
(c) A playground.
(d) A public swimming pool.
(e) A center or facility, the primary purpose of which is to provide recreational opportunities or services to children or adolescents.
(f) A church, synagogue or other building, structure or place used for religious worship or other religious purpose.
In determining whether to issue a medical cannabis establishment license pursuant to section 91 of this act, the Board shall, in addition to the factors set forth in that section, consider criteria of merit established by regulation of the Board. Such criteria must include, without limitation:
(a) Whether the applicant controls liquid assets in an amount determined by the Board to be sufficient to cover the initial expenses of opening the proposed medical cannabis establishment and complying with the provisions of this title;
(b) The previous experience of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment at operating other businesses or nonprofit organizations;
(c) The educational and life experience of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment;
(d) Any demonstrated knowledge or expertise on the part of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment with respect to the compassionate use of cannabis to treat medical conditions;
(e) Whether the proposed location of the proposed medical cannabis establishment would be convenient to serve the needs of persons who are authorized to engage in the medical use of cannabis;
(f) The likely impact of the proposed medical cannabis establishment on the community in which it is proposed to be located;
(g) The adequacy of the size of the proposed medical cannabis establishment to serve the needs of persons who are authorized to engage in the medical use of cannabis;
(h) Whether the applicant has an integrated plan for the care, quality and safekeeping of medical cannabis from seed to sale;
(i) The diversity on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender or veteran status of the applicant or the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical cannabis establishment, including, without limitation, the inclusion of persons of backgrounds which are disproportionately – 38 – - 80th Session (2019) underrepresented as owners, officers or board members of medical cannabis establishments; and
(j) Any other criteria of merit that the Board determines to be relevant.
A person shall not engage in the business of an adult-use cannabis establishment unless the person holds an adult-use cannabis establishment license issued pursuant to this section.
A person who wishes to engage in the business of an adult-use cannabis establishment must submit to the Board an application on a form prescribed by the Board.
Except as otherwise provided in sections 97, 98 and 99 of this act, the Board shall issue an adult-use cannabis establishment license to an applicant if:
(a) The person who wishes to operate the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment has submitted to the Board all of the following:
(1) The application fee, as set forth in section 107 of this act;
(2) An application, which must include:
(I) The legal name of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment;
(II) The physical address where the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment will be located and the physical address of any co-owned additional or otherwise associated adult-use cannabis establishments, the locations of which may not be within 1,000 feet of a public or private school that provides formal education traditionally associated with preschool or kindergarten through grade 12 and that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board, within 300 feet of a community facility that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board or, if – 39 – - 80th Session (2019) the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment will be located in a county whose population is 100,000 or more, within 1,500 feet of an establishment that holds a nonrestricted gaming license described in subsection 1 or 2 of NRS 463.0177 and that existed on the date on which the application for the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment was submitted to the Board;
(III) Evidence that the applicant controls liquid assets in an amount determined by the Board to be sufficient to cover the initial expenses of opening the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment and complying with the provisions of this title;
(IV) Evidence that the applicant owns the property on which the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment will be located or has the written permission of the property owner to operate the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment on that property;
(V) For the applicant and each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment, a complete set of the person’s fingerprints and written permission of the person authorizing the Board to forward the fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its report; and
(VI) The name, address and date of birth of each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment;
(3) Operating procedures consistent with rules of the Board for oversight of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment, including, without limitation:
(I) Procedures to ensure the use of adequate security measures; and
(II) The use of an inventory control system;
(4) If the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment will sell or deliver adult-use cannabis products, proposed operating procedures for handling such products which must be preapproved by the Board; and
(5) Such other information as the Board may require by regulation;
(b) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment have been convicted of an excluded felony offense;
(c) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment have:
(1) Served as an owner, officer or board member for a cannabis establishment that has had its adult-use cannabis establishment license or medical cannabis establishment license revoked;
(2) Previously had a cannabis establishment agent registration card revoked; or
(3) Previously had a cannabis establishment agent registration card for a cannabis executive revoked; and
(d) None of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment are under 21 years of age.
Fingerprinting - For each person who submits an application pursuant to this section, and each person who is proposed to be an owner, officer or board member of a proposed adult-use cannabis establishment, the Board shall submit the fingerprints of the person to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the criminal history of that person.
Expiration - An adult-use cannabis establishment license expires 1 year after the date of issuance and may be renewed upon:
(a) Submission of the information required by the Board by regulation; and
(b) Payment of the renewal fee set forth in section 107 of this act.
Criteria of merit - In determining whether to issue an adult-use cannabis license pursuant to this section, the Board shall consider the criteria of merit set forth in section 99 of this act.
Distance from establishment - The distance must be measured from the front door of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment to the closest point of the property line of a school, community facility or gaming establishment.
As used in this section, “community facility” means:
(a) A facility that provides day care to children.
(b) A public park.
(c) A playground. – 41 – - 80th Session (2019)
(d) A public swimming pool.
(e) A center or facility, the primary purpose of which is to provide recreational opportunities or services to children or adolescents.
(f) A church, synagogue or other building, structure or place used for religious worship or other religious purposes.
Additional criteria
In determining whether to issue an adult-use cannabis establishment license pursuant to section 96 of this act, the Board shall, in addition to the factors set forth in that section, consider criteria of merit established by regulation of the Board. Such criteria must include, without limitation:
(a) Whether the applicant controls liquid assets in an amount determined by the Board to be sufficient to cover the initial expenses of opening the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment and complying with the provisions of this title;
(b) Whether the owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment have direct experience with the operation of a cannabis establishment in this State and have demonstrated a record of operating such an establishment in compliance with the laws and regulations of this State for an adequate period of time to demonstrate success;
(c) The educational and life experience of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment;
(d) Whether the applicant has an integrated plan for the care, quality and safekeeping of cannabis from seed to sale;
(e) The experience of key personnel that the applicant intends to employ in operating the type of adult-use cannabis establishment for which the applicant seeks a license;
(f) The diversity on the basis of race, ethnicity or gender of the applicant or the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed adult-use cannabis establishment, including, without limitation, the inclusion of persons of backgrounds which are disproportionately underrepresented as owners, officers or board members of adultuse cannabis establishments; and
(g) Any other criteria of merit that the Board determines to be relevant.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the Board shall collect not more than the following maximum fees:
| Medical cannabis dispensary Renewal |
$30,000 $5,000 |
| Medical cannabis cultivation facility Renewal |
$3,000 $1,000 |
| Medical cannabis production facility Renewal |
$3,000 $1,000 |
| Medical cannabis testing laboratory Renewal |
$5,000 $3,000 |
| Adult-use cannabis retail store Renewal |
$20,000 $6,600 |
| Adult-use cannabis cultivation facility Renewal |
$30,000 $10,000 |
| Adult-use cannabis production facility Renewal |
$10,000 $3,300 |
| Adult-use cannabis testing laboratory Renewal |
$15,000 $5,000 |
| Adult-use cannabis distributor Rewnewal |
$15,000 $5,000 |
| Cannabis establishment agent Renewal |
$150 $150 |
In addition to the fees described in subsection 1, each applicant for a medical cannabis establishment license or adult-use cannabis establishment license must pay to the Board:
(a) A one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $5,000; and
(b) The actual costs incurred by the Board in processing the application, including, without limitation, conducting background checks.