Nevada lawmakers passed Senate Bill 277, a comprehensive marijuana reform bill, expanding cannabis possession limits and granting new freedoms to licensed dispensaries, reports Forbes. The bill, which builds upon the state’s previous legalization of medical and recreational marijuana, gained final approval from the Nevada legislature on June 5 and now awaits action from Governor Joe Lombardo.
The bill more than doubles the possession and purchase limits, allowing individuals to possess and purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and a quarter ounce of cannabis concentrates.
In addition, all adult-use cannabis dispensaries would be permitted to sell cannabis products to medical marijuana patients. Starting next year, new licenses for medical marijuana businesses will no longer be issued, except in areas where recreational cannabis businesses are prohibited.
The bill also relaxes restrictions on individuals with felony convictions, allowing them to obtain licenses to operate or work at cannabis businesses. The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board will grant licenses to businesses with stakeholders who have prior felony convictions, provided that it is determined to be safe and not negatively impact the cannabis industry.
The legislation also eliminates the ban on employing individuals with certain prior felony convictions in Nevada’s regulated cannabis industry.
The secretary of the Chamber of Cannabis, Abby Kaufmann, says she is certain the marijuana reform bill will receive Gov. Joe Lombardo’s signature, reports Benzinga.