The Las Vegas Sun reported over the weekend that there’s a new push within the state legislature of Nevada to start a pilot program allowing medical marijuana card-holders the ability to purchase their drug legally.
According to Senator Mike Schneider (D-Las Vegas), such a bill would “eliminate the head shops” which are currently known as an illegal source of marijuana. Currently, those who purchase their pot on the street face felony charges, even if they hold valid MMJ authorization cards.
Under Senate Bill 336, a company or other facility would be set up to grow, store and distribute medical marijuana, and would operate under Nevada’s Board of Pharmacy, though marijuana growing operations would also be overseen by the state Agricultural Department.
Speaking to the Senate Finance Committee about the bill, Senator Schneider said that the program included safeguards. One of them, he said, would require that doctors receive instruction on the medical benefits of marijuana.
Schneider as been working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to put the bill together, and it has been noted that the pilot program would generate additional tax revenues for the state once MMJ is sold legally, but the committee has not yet taken any action on the bill.
