Nevada’s Governor signed SB 374 and has made it legal for medical marijuana dispensaries to open in the state of Nevada. However, the process to go about opening a medical marijuana dispensary will be costly and limited to only a certain number per county.

Some things to note if one is considering opening a medical marijuana dispensary:

Physical address may not be within 1000 feet of public or private school that provides formal education associated with preschool or kindergarten through grade 12; or

300 feet of a community facility;

Applicant controls not less than $250,000 in liquid assets to cover expenses;

Evidence that applicant owns property on which medical marijuana establishment will be located; or

Has written permission of property owner to operate the proposed medical marijuana establishment on that property;

If city, town, or county has enacted zoning restrictions, proof of licensure with the applicable local government authority or a letter from the applicable local government certifying compliance with restrictions and building requirements;

Must be located in a separate building or facility that is located in a commercial or industrial zone or overlay;

Have discrete and professional signage;

Pay a one-time nonrefundable application fee of $5,000 and processing cost; and

Initial issuance of a medical marijuana establishment registration certificate for a dispensary shall not be more than $30,000.

The nonrefundable application fee alone may be enough to deter many applicants. The above are only a few of the hurdles that one will have to undertake in order to apply and get a certificate.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Face Regulatory and Costly Hurdles