Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2023
Is recreational marijuana legal in Nevada?
In 2016, Nevada voters approved a ballot question to regulate and tax marijuana. It took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
Since then, adults 21 and older have been able to buy, grow, possess and consume marijuana in Nevada, with certain caveats:
Marijuana can only be purchased from state-licensed stores.Nevadans may possess no more than 1 ounce of marijuana, or 1/8 ounce of concentrated marijuana.Nevadans may cultivate no more than six plants per person or 12 per household.Marijuana cannot be cultivated within 25 miles of a cannabis store or where it is visible from a public place.Marijuana cannot be consumed in public places, including casinos and hotel rooms.
Private cannabis consumption lounges are permitted, but must, among other provisions, install adequate ventilation. After issuing 40 licenses last year, Nevada’s Cannabis Compliance Board expects lounges to begin opening this summer.
Recreational marijuana has been legalized in 22 states and the District of Columbia. An additional 15 states permit medical marijuana.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Nevada Legislature Fact Sheet | Recreational Marijuana in Nevada
- Nevada Legislature Adult use of cannabis
- Shouse Law Group Can I possess marijuana at a casino or in a hotel room?
- Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board CCB Issues First Cannabis Consumption Lounge Prospective Licenses
- CNN More US states are regulating marijuana. See where it’s legal across the country
About fact briefs
Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
See all fact briefs
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
Learn MoreLatest Fact Briefs
Does preschool increase the likelihood that a child will attend college?
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025
Was a large percentage of votes received after Election Day in Nevada in 2024?
Monday, Feb. 3, 2025
Did Nevada lag most of the nation in job growth in 2024?
Monday, Jan. 27, 2025