Las Vegas could allow cannabis lounges by the end of 2018

Las Vegas may soon allow cannabis consumption in certain public places, according to recent statements city officials.

Despite the legalization of cannabis in Nevada last year, Las Vegas' 42 million annual visitors have no real place to consume the cannabis they can buy in dispensaries. State law currently prohibits consumption in public, and hotels and casinos don't allow cannabis use either.

Potential cannabis lounges would not be allowed to sell cannabis, serve alcohol over 11° or store cannabis products at the place of consumption, according to the first provisional rules. They would also be prohibited from being located outdoors, for example on a rooftop or in a beer garden.

Consumption venues would require a special permit costing 5000$, in addition to a background check on the owner, constant video surveillance and being located more than 300m from a school.

Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, had considered opening consumption venues last year, but ultimately backed down before the city proposed the measure on its own.

In 2016, the residents of Denver, Colorado, had voted in favor of opening licenses for consumption venues. The first opened last February and allow customers to bring their own cannabis and consume it in edible or sprayed on the spot.