By: Josh Kasoff
As a state that’s had recreational access to cannabis for over half a decade yet is still continuously facing internal yet widespread industry issues, Nevada is a prime example of the current common state of affairs for many statewide cannabis industries. While millions in cannabis products are being sold annually throughout the states with legal cannabis and Nevada itself has quite the economic boost from the vibrant tourism industry of the state, certain states have had their sales drop considerably and the Silver State is no exception. Our gargantuan neighbor to the West, California’s total retail cannabis sales dropped a total of eight percent from 2021 to 2022 and an additional 4.7 percent in 2023 when compared to the previous year. From FY 2022 to FY 2023, the Nevada cannabis industry experienced a staggering $115 million deficit in total retail cannabis sales, approximately a total of twelve percent.
The projections of total sales in Nevada in FY 2024 thus far don’t show much of an improvement either, with there being a substantial $18 million deficit in sales during December of 2023 compared to December of 2022 alone. The only recorded month of 2024 sales so far saw a deficit of nearly $8 million when compared to January 2023 and the second half of 2023 each saw large deficits in comparison to those months during the previous fiscal year. Companies are making entire professional exoduses from states due to declining sales and the Nevada industry needed more opportunities to recover from these ongoing deficits.
And so the Nevada cannabis industry professionals worked in tandem with their supportive legislators, first passing Assembly Bill 341 during the 2021 Legislative Session which authorized the implementation and operation of cannabis consumption lounges in Nevada as well as the Nevada cannabis industry’s first implementation of social equity policies. While the lounges are just now beginning to open even though the legislation itself was passed nearly three years ago, the hope with the bill is that the legislation will provide the Nevada cannabis industry with a new sub-industry for revenue and economic opportunities while also curtailing the public consumption of cannabis that’s become widespread especially on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Nevada cannabis industry received another colossal upgrade to the financial potential and employment opportunities within this struggling industry during the 2023 Legislative Session, when the omnibus-like Senate Bill 277 passed not only in multiple crucial Senate and Assembly committees but also in both houses of the Nevada Legislature, receiving a constitutional majority in the Assembly and a 2/3 vote in the Senate. This historic bill not only more than doubled the daily purchasing limits for Nevada cannabis customers from one ounce for flower to 2.5 ounces of flower and fourteen grams of concentrate from seven grams previously, but also opened the doors to aspiring cannabis professionals who’d previously been excluded from employment due to certain excluding felony offenses.
Furthermore, the bill limits the Cannabis Compliance Board’s power in giving out fines, fees and other punitive measures and authorizes the Cannabis Advisory Commission to “conduct a study concerning the potential effects of the removal of cannabis from the list of controlled substances included in schedule I pursuant to the federal Controlled Substances Act or the state Uniform Controlled Substances Act on the cannabis industry in this State.”
This encompassing cannabis bill, which itself was signed by former Clark County Sheriff and now-Governor Joe Lombardo, is undoubtedly quite expansive for the currently troubled Nevada industry and the operation of the CCB, and luckily for the fate of the bill which seemed uncertain at times, Senate Bill 277 had a steadfast and passionate sponsor behind it, one who worked directly with Nevada cannabis professionals and advocates in crafting this groundbreaking legislation.
“I was inspired to become a lawyer because I wanted to develop the advocacy skills necessary to make positive changes in society.” explained Nevada State Senator and attorney Dallas Harris.
A lifelong local of Las Vegas who attended multiple schools across the Las Vegas Valley, Harris received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science the following year. Harris then relocated to Southern California to attend the Claremont Graduate University, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Policy. From there, Harris headed to our great nation’s glorious capital and attended the prestigious law program at George Washington University.
“This desire to effect change through the legal system led me to The George Washington University Law School, where I focused on mastering the legal frameworks and skills needed to advocate effectively for those in need.”
After graduating in 2015, Harris has stayed incredibly involved in public policy organizations such as the DC-based non-profit Public Knowledge and has served in her professional life as an Administrative Attorney for the Public Utilities Commission as well as a Consumer Rights Attorney in the Adult Guardianship Project at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Since November of 2020, Harris has been serving as Of Counsel for the Portland-based law firm Davison Van Cleve, P.C., a law firm specializing in energy and business law.
“What keeps me interested in administrative law is its interdisciplinary nature and the continuous learning it offers.”
Harris took quite a leap of faith in the leadup to the 2018 midterm elections, when the attorney was appointed to the State Senate seat for District 11 in Las Vegas after the then-incumbent State Senator Aaron Ford was elected Attorney General of Nevada.
“After some thoughtful discussions with a mentor and strong encouragement from my family and friends, I pursued the appointment. My proudest accomplishment so far is providing representation in a sense that others who look like me can see themselves in positions of power. It’s incredibly fulfilling to serve as a role model, showing that these roles are accessible and that diverse voices are essential in shaping our policies and community.”
Harris has been openly supportive of the Nevada cannabis industry and further reforms throughout her Legislative career, voting in favor of such progressive cannabis legislation as the aforementioned AB 341 as well as the lesser known Senate Bill 49, which prohibited the sale and production of synthetic cannabinoids in Nevada and received a near unanimous vote in both chambers.
“I sponsored SB 277 because I recognized the need for updated regulations that keep pace with the advancements and growth of the Nevada cannabis industry. Recognizing that the industry is rapidly changing, it is crucial that our laws and regulations adapt accordingly. SB 277 seeks to update these frameworks to better support business operations, ensuring ongoing economic benefits while maintaining safety and compliance standards.”
Although it’ll be a few more weeks until the Department of Taxation releases the total figures of retail cannabis sales and subsequent tax revenue in the first few months of 2024 to determine how successful the Nevada cannabis industry has performed following the passage of Senate Bill 277, Harris assures that industry professionals have touted the already successful nature of the bill.
“The feedback from industry stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming that the bill has been effective in fostering a healthier, more robust industry.”
As for the future of her career in the Legislature, Harris possesses a passion for equally expansive and community-driven initiatives for the future of both District 11 and Nevada as a whole.
“In the Legislature, my primary focus will remain on advancing policies that make a meaningful impact on our community. I am particularly committed to pushing for criminal justice reform, improving healthcare access, and fostering economic development. Each of these areas is crucial for building a more equitable and prosperous society. Regarding my career in law, I am a proponent of the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement. My goal is to work towards a position where I can comfortably retire early, having secured financial independence through prudent planning and dedicated saving.”
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