Since adult-use cannabis sales kicked off in Nevada on July 1, home delivery has been allowed under the state’s temporary “early start” regulations. But all that could change on Jan. 1, when a new, permanent set of regulations is set to kick in.
As the Las Vegas Sun’s Chris Kudialis reports, the first and only draft of Nevada’s coming cannabis regulations eliminates the current provision, which OKs home delivery and enables delivery drivers to carry up to 10 ounces of cannabis. State regulators have raised concerns that weed delivery services increase the risk of fraud, robbery, and other crime, in part because there are no laws in place requiring nonmedical customers to register their identities.
Currently about 20 of Nevada’s 60 retail cannabis stores offer home delivery to nonmedical customers. Deliveries of medical cannabis would still be permitted under the draft rules.
“We tried to come up with a structure that was fair to the businesses but also that protected public health and safety,” Stephanie Klapstein, a Department of Taxation spokeswoman, told the Sun. “We considered the safety of anyone who would be involved, either directly or peripherally, in the delivery process.”
Proponents of delivery, however—including some in law enforcement—argue that legalizing and regulating the service plays an important role in shrinking the illegal market. As of July 23, the Sun reports, citing a police lieutenant, Las Vegas Metro police this year alone have brought down 28 illegal home delivery operations, most of which have alleged gang ties.
Regulators in other major cannabis markets have taken different approaches to home delivery. Under regulations set to take effect in California next year, regulated delivery will play a key role in distribution. But in Washington state, one of the first states to legalize adult-use cannabis, delivery remains illegal. Police there have sporadically attempted to crack down on delivery services operating in defiance of the law.
Nevada’s Department of Taxation, which is responsible for formulating the regulations, is slated to release an updated draft by the end of the month. The department is encouraging members of the public to weigh in by emailing comments to marijuana@tax.state.nv.us.
