Nevada Legislature: Lawmakers consider additional medical pot licenses

Nevada senators want to increase the number of medical marijuana licenses allocated throughout the state.

Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom and Republican Sen. Patricia Farley presented SB276 to the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

The bill would raise the cap on medical marijuana dispensary licenses within the state, most of which are in Las Vegas and Reno. The measure would allow for 20 more licenses in Clark County, five more in Washoe County and an additional license in all other counties.

Proponents said it will give access to patients in underserved areas.

Opponents said Nevada should wait until dispensaries are up and running to see whether there’s enough demand for more.

Lawmakers approved regulations for the cultivation and sale of medical marijuana in 2013, although voters legalized medical pot in 2000.