While news reports praise the recent permittance of marijuana consumption lounges within Las Vegas city limits, the reservation of the most contested aspects of its plan to govern such establishments is causing a public belief of unfair treatment towards cannabis lounges. In addition, it’s causing conflicting opinions from the largest casino operators, with these establishments not allowed to participate in the local cannabis industry.
You Can, But Actually, You Can’t
The ordinance handout comes with a closed fist with restrictions stating that establishments are 300 feet away from churches or parks and more than 1000 feet from schools.
Furthermore, cannabis lounges must be more than 1 500 feet away from businesses with a minimum of 16 slot machines. This spatial plan sees the cannabis lounges being placed far beyond the strip and a location that creates more negative outcomes.
Calling A White Kettle Black
These restrictions, mainly the latter, are not only prudish but contradictory in Las Vegas, where slot machines are allowed and encouraged by the public in bars, gas stations, and grocery stores. It is also contradictory in a city that fosters gambling and drinking, which to some, is frowned upon.
News reports state, “Apparently, it’s perfectly acceptable to allow patrons to gulp down beers and pound back whiskies while gambling on video poker machines at their local sports bar… but allowing a marijuana lounge to operate within a third of a mile of a casino is pushing the envelope too far.”
The Plot Thickens, And Fears Rise Up
The story becomes even more controversial when a further requirement sees lounges needing to be at least 1,000 feet from each other. All these great distances now mean that individuals must leave the strip to acquire cannabis at the lounges and go downtown and, with this, potentially drive under the influence. This creates fears among the public of car crashes, unsafety, and the harmful effects of being under the influence.
As reported on the news, these fears are arising even with Las Vegas Police undergoing training programs designed to help them detect impaired drivers and Clark County regulations requiring lounges to create impaired-driving prevention plans.
Among public opinion, it has been said that cannabis is a safer vice than gambling or alcohol, yet the state is treating it the opposite way. It is unfortunate that many clinical trials, scientific studies, governments, and local states prove the health benefits of cannabis and that it is a far better substance than drinking and gambling.
Fears of how this long-distance traveling will impact improvements for businesses and property owners have also risen. Spacing these lounges out in a certain manner will possibly disrupt local communities and impact marijuana-related tourism negatively.
Unfair Treatment Overall
As reported, “Why should proprietors of cannabis lounges be treated as second-class entrepreneurs compared to any of the other industries that constitute various “districts” downtown?”
This is a statement accurately put, with a pressing need to treat cannabis lounge owners and operators fairly. With fair treatment, cannabis lounges can significantly contribute to the city and local economy.
What The Near Future Holds
Currently, the council can waive the distance requirement between specific lounges on a case-by-case basis. However, waivers are subject to a council vote when there should be objective regulatory criteria. The future could thus see a possible breeding of an environment of political favoritism.
The future could also see this favoritism that does not speak well for the cannabis industry. The near future will still be the same as the present, with individuals allowed to purchase and carry recreational marijuana legally but with smoking allowed only in private residences. Individuals currently smoke cannabis in Strip resort casino parking lots and discrete locations.
Stay tuned as more news becomes available on the matter and more news unfolds regarding legal marijuana consumption and its subsequent obvious problem and rising concerns. It is hoped that cannabis owners will see justice in this regard and, with this, solutions to problems that can be avoided in the first place if the right actions are taken now. It is hoped that the normal array of the issues associated with the overindulging of Las Vegas tourists will be solved as well.
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