To say Las Vegas is a popular tourist location would be a hilarious understatement. Each year, Las Vegas experiences around 43 million visitors. Although Las Vegas is a common spot to drink, party, and celebrate different occasions, the city has recently become a cannabis hub because of the number of retail recreational dispensaries scattered throughout the state.
These dispensaries have experienced much success since Nevada’s recreational cannabis program went into effect this past January. Although anyone over the age of 21 can legally purchase and possess cannabis, they cannot legally consume cannabis in public, which raises the question of where you can safely and legally consume cannabis. Read on to discover discreet ways to consume cannabis and where you can legally light up.
Table of Contents
Places to Legally Consume Cannabis
Since Nevada’s recreational program went into effect this past January, rules and regulations were put into place, which consisted of prohibiting people from consuming cannabis in public such as in hotels, casinos, city parks, restaurants, most bars and clubs, on public sidewalks, and other residential areas. There are few places where residents and visitors can openly light up besides within someone’s private home or within an apartment/condo after the landlord gave that individual(s) approval to do so.
Furthermore, currently, Nevada only allows individuals to consume cannabis within their private residence or within an apartment building/complex with the owner’s permission and approval; however, this may change in the future. Presently, smoking cannabis outside of dispensaries, at casinos, or even within a parked car could result in a $600 fine, according to LA Times. The majority of Nevada hotels and apartment/condo landlords ban people from consuming cannabis on their property, as stated by a USA Today article. Therefore, the areas where you can legally consume cannabis are limited.
Discreet Cannabis Consumption Methods
Since there are few places in Las Vegas where individuals can legally consume cannabis, discreet and low-key consumption methods are the best option. For example, as most of us all know, the bud/flower part of cannabis has a relatively potent smell depending on the strain. However, other consumption methods like edibles, tinctures, topical cannabis products, some concentrates, and vape pens are much more discreet since they don’t release a strong cannabis smell.
Fortunately, the majority of Nevada dispensaries sell all the cannabis products mentioned above. In most instances, the dispensary’s budtenders will ask customers which consumption method(s) they’re most comfortable with and/or they’ll inform customers of the options they can choose from. From there, individuals can decide which way they wish to consume cannabis. If they want to medicate in public, it would be best to avoid smoking joints, blunts, or smoking from a pipe of some sort, since the smell will spread regardless of where you’re medicating.
Moreover, if you’re someone who’s visiting Las Vegas, but you consume cannabis for medical purposes, it would be best to purchase edibles or tinctures since they’re extremely discreet and you won’t have to worry about people noticing any smell. Also, since cannabis is a Schedule 1 drug, you cannot legally bring any cannabis products with you across state borders. Therefore, as a visitor, if you purchase a vape pen and cartridge, you won’t be able to bring it with you once you head back home. However, if you’re a local and you want to consume cannabis on the down-low, vape pens would be a great option.
Low-Key Cannabis Consumption Spots
However, keep in mind that it’s best to use discreet consumption methods so you won’t get caught or fined, because nobody wants to experience that kind of buzzkill while trying to have a fun time.
Future of Nevada‘s Public Cannabis Consumption Rules
Similar to other U.S. states that have recreationally legalized cannabis, the rules stand that people cannot smoke or ingest marijuana within dispensaries, parks, bars, restaurants, and public streets and sidewalks. However, there’s talk about businesses opening individual cannabis tasting rooms, cafes, and lounges. Due to the progressive direction Nevada is moving in, these kinds of businesses could become reality.
Currently, Nevada allows smoking inside particular bars and clubs, so the opening of different cannabis lounges is highly possible for the future. But, there would still be concerns about indoor air quality, public health and safety problems, and the possibility of an increase in drugged driving.
Regardless, within Nevada’s recreational cannabis legislature, lawmakers discovered that localities possess the authority to license cannabis lounges. However, Nevada’s governor responded to this by stating that the cannabis lounges would have to be regulated at a state level before operating, so we may not see cannabis lounges open soon, but that’s not to say that it’ll never happen.
Overall, if you’re visiting Las Vegas and you’d like to purchase and consume cannabis during your stay, consider purchasing discreet products like edibles or capsules, tinctures, or even vape pens if you plan on staying in the area for a while. Remember to be smart, be conscientious of yourself and your surroundings, and enjoy being lifted while vacationing or while having a fun time.
To learn more about Nevada’s recreational cannabis program, read the article below:
How Much Weed Can You Have on You?
To find out how much cannabis costs on average in Las Vegas, check out the article below:
Las Vegas Marijuana Prices (2017)
Article by: Nicole Skrobin
