Nevada cannabis businesses and consumers could likely enjoy lower costs under a federal proposal to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, according to state cannabis experts.

A Democratic senator has introduced a bill to create federal incentives for states, localities and Indian tribes that expunge low-level marijuana records—an equity-focused reform proposal that leadership has repeatedly discussed attaching to bipartisan cannabis banking legislation that’s pending floor action.

Understanding the historical context of cannabis regulation in the U.S. offers a backdrop to its current classification and potential rescheduling. Initially, when cannabis was unregulated, it was used both medicinally and recreationally. However, the 20th century brought a shift in perception, influenced by political, racial, and economic factors. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 marked the beginning of federal cannabis prohibition.

Recreational cannabis is a $1 billion annual industry in Nevada that continues to grow — long-awaited consumption lounges finally are starting to open — since it launched in 2017. Yet, the illegal drug market remains strong here, industry experts said.

UNLV’s Rebel Football team is heading to the Mountain West Championship game against the Boise State Broncos. Las Vegas Sun reporter Mike Grimala goes over what made this season so successful and what to expect for the game. Then Riana Durrett joins us to discuss the new UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute. She shares how this institute will help Nevada’s growing cannabis industry.

The medicinal and recreational use of legal cannabis is still relatively new in Nevada, where lawful sales debuted in 2017, and the regulation of consumption lounges is being worked through. That’s part of the reason why UNLV created its Cannabis Policy Institute, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Nevada and possibly in the United States.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is launching the state’s first Cannabis Policy Institute (CPI), led by industry expert Riana Durrett. The idea behind the new marijuana policy-focused institute is to promote and expand public policy research.

The new program is expected to create policies and guide cannabis research along.