Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2014
Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)
Copyright: 2014 Las Vegas Sun, Inc
Contact:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/234
Author: Conor Shine

NLV, HENDERSON TAKE A HIT AS COUNTY COMMISSION REALLOCATES MEDICAL 
MARIJUANA DISPENSARY LICENSES

The Clark County Commission voted today to increase the number of 
medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the unincorporated county 
from 10 to 18.

The decision drew protests from officials representing Henderson and 
North Las Vegas, which lose dispensaries under the arrangement.

With 45 percent of the population living in the unincorporated 
county, Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said it should get 45 
percent of the dispensaries.

Under the distribution proposed by Sisolak and approved unanimously 
today, the unincorporated county would get 18 dispensary licenses, 
Las Vegas would get 12, Henderson five, North Las Vegas four and 
Mesquite one dispensary license.

That's a change from the 2013 state law, which authorized 40 
dispensaries for all of Clark County. The law said no jurisdiction in 
Clark County could have more than 10 dispensary licenses.

The law did contain a clause allowing the county commission to change 
the allocation of licenses to fit the region's population distribution.

"This isn't about getting as many as you can," Sisolak said. "It's 
unrealistic to expect that a city a quarter of the size of 
unincorporated Clark County could have the same amount (of 
dispensaries) for their constituents."

Commissioners have received 81 applications for dispensary licenses 
in the unincorporated county.

They will consider and vote on licenses for dispensaries and other 
medical marijuana businesses at a June 5 public hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom