Nevada regulators reaffirm wall between casinos, marijuana

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Nevada’s gambling regulators are grappling with how to deal with the state’s latest legal vice – recreational marijuana – and they’ve made it clear that cannabis doesn’t belong in casinos.

In the first of a series of policy discussions, the Nevada Gaming Commission reiterated that as long as marijuana consumption and possession is illegal on the federal level, it will have no place in Nevada casinos.

Commissioners said the reputation of the gaming industry is at stake and there needs to be clear separation from cannabis.

They didn’t address touchy subjects involving marijuana consumption, including cannabis use in hotel rooms by guests, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

However, the commission did conclude that gaming licensees:

  • Should not maintain business relationships with marijuana companies, including landlord-tenant arrangements.
  • Should be discouraged from hosting shows or conferences that promote the use, sale, cultivation or distribution of marijuana.
  • Should not receive financing from or provide financing to an individual, entity or establishment that sells, cultivates or distributes marijuana.

In the latter discussion, commissioners agreed there isn’t enough separation in spousal relationships for a gaming company to be allowed to conduct business with the wife or husband of anyone involved in the marijuana business.

No votes were taken, and further discussions will be held in the coming months.

One issue to be decided is whether the commission should adopt rules that put the gaming industry “on notice as to what the requirements and expectations are,” said Terry Johnson, a State Gaming Control Board member.

– Associated Press