Bill change pulls counties’ right to license pot lounges

Associated Press

CARSON CITY — A panel of Nevada lawmakers has approved a bill to create a board overseeing the state’s legal marijuana industry.

The measure sponsored by Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office passed a legislative committee on Friday, but an amendment to the bill rolls back a county’s ability to grant licenses for consumption lounges.

The Las Vegas Sun reports the original bill gave a county the ability to provide marijuana lounge licenses, but changes to the bill withdraw that section and call for further study of the topic.

Assemblyman Steve Yeager says “the law would simply remain the status quo in terms of public consumption.”

The amendment requires the board to study the consumption lounges and a method for licensing. Las Vegas weeks ago approved licensing for the lounges.