LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The City of Las Vegas officially adopted cannabis consumption lounges as part of the Las Vegas municipal code on Wednesday.
After delaying the vote two weeks ago, the council met on March 1 to discuss approving some changes to the ordinance, which included business licensing regulations, application fees and distance separation requirements.
A group of cannabis stakeholders were present at the meeting — hoping to convince council members to make some changes in the final hour on two issues, including the 1,000-foot distance rule and licensing fees.
“It would’ve been a very small risk for the city and now it’s a big risk for licensees and for property owners who had this opportunity of a 'New Amsterdam.' It could have been a new tourist destination that could’ve had millions of people coming here to Las Vegas and instead, we’re making it more challenging," said Paul Murad, who is advocating for cannabis lounge licensees.
“The thousand foot thing can be waived, but waivers are usually given in the favor of those who have money or influence. As a social equity applicant, I don’t have much money and I truly don’t have much influence," said Chandler Cooks, a social-equity provisional license holder.
With a vision of creating a “new Amsterdam,” many cannabis entrepreneurs are eyeing the Arts District to set up the future lounges. Similar to how visitors and locals can walk from bar to bar and enjoy shopping and dining in between, stakeholders want to see the same for cannabis lounges.
In it's previous iteration, the ordinance stated cannabis lounges must be at least 1,000 feet apart — about the length of two and a half football fields.
Councilwoman Victoria Seaman told KTNV before the meeting that she’s satisfied that lounge owners can apply for a waiver for that rule — that way the city has more oversight over an industry that’s so new.
Co-founders of the local non-profit Chamber of Cannabis, Tina Ulman and Dani Baranowski, say the distance rule is just another barrier that makes it more difficult for a business to succeed.
“We don't have that for restaurants, bars, casinos. So why would we discriminate against cannabis venues? Especially after cannabis consumers and the industry has done such a fantastic job at breaking stereotypes and stigmas, driving revenue for our state, driving tax dollars, increasing jobs, and just being a great member of the community,” Ulman said.
"Having these clustered together just like we do on Main Street with Brewery Row, what that's going to do is drive more people to all the surrounding businesses as well,” Baranowski added.
The non-profit also takes issue with what they’re calling pricey license fees — claiming it’s another burden on small business owners who don’t have banking or lending ability like a traditional business.
To view the full ordinance up for approval, click here.
