Letters were mailed to eligible license holders in the state, but Chris Thompson, the executive director for the Las Vegas chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said with few responses, tax commissioners approved a temporary regulation that would allow the department to make exceptions for non-wholesalers.
In May, the Independent Alcohol Distributors of Nevada filed a complaint saying the booze wholesalers should have exclusive rights to the licenses and that a May 31 license deadline for the wholesalers should not be enforced.
At the end of May, a judge ruled in the alcohol wholesalers favor. But state officials have said they intend to appeal this ruling.
“So basically, according to text of [the statue], the alcohol distributors get to set up regulated distribution methods,” Thompson said. “We’re the only state that does that.”
Thompson noted that when recreational dispensaries open at midnight on Saturday, there still isn’t a plan in place for distribution between the retailers and the dispensers.Nevada has already had medical marijuana dispensaries since 2015. A workaround from the state says whatever leftover medical marijuana those dispensaries are in possession of on July 1 can be sold as recreational — but they cannot re-up.
“All those product can be sold as recreational, but once they run out there will not be [a plan] until the alcohol wholesalers figure out what they want to do,” Thompson told NBC News.
Thompson and Segerblom said the dispensaries are stocking up, hoping to have enough product to last about 30 days — when it is believed the alcohol industry will have their dispensing mechanisms up and running.
During the next 30 days, alcohol wholesalers and state legislators will be working to determine how much of a cut will go to the alcohol industry, Thompson said. He added that although the amount going into the pockets of the alcohol industry — whether it be a percentage of the profits or a flat rate fee — is still unclear, users are nervous a third party could see prices skyrocket.
In another twist, because liquor licenses are federal and the U.S. government still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance, pot cannot be smoked inside the casinos and bars. Experts say that could boost sales of marijuana edibles.
Once the marijuana industry begins in earnest, Segerblom believes a wealth of different marijuana tourism ventures will set up shop in Nevada.
“We’ve already been approached by marijuana hotel, marijuana tours, marijuana ranches — you cannot imagine anything they haven’t thought of already,” Segerblom said. “If the demand is there, we’ll get there.”
Before the hotels and ranches begin popping up, Segerblom plans to enjoy the newest vice in Sin City — one named just for him.
“I’m going to be the first buyer at one of the big places. I have my own strand [called] Segerblom Haze,” Segerblom said. “It’s kind of a joke, but I heard it’s pretty good.”
credit:420intel.com
