In The News: Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV

Las Vegas Sun

Leaders in Nevada’s multimillion-dollar legal cannabis industry are welcoming news that the Biden administration is working to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, but they say the devil will be in the details.

Las Vegas Review Journal

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.

Marijuana Moment

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.

Nevada Independent

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a bill today to create a federal grant program to fund the expunging or sealing of state-level cannabis offenses — using federal dollars to achieve a goal of legislative Democrats who passed a similar bill in 2023 but were stymied by Gov. Joe Lombardo's (R) veto pen.

Nevada Lawyer Magazine

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.

Las Vegas Sun

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.

Las Vegas Review Journal

One of the biggest challenges facing the burgeoning cannabis industry – both in Nevada and nationwide – is the illegal market, experts say. Although it’s hard to know for certain exactly how much business the illegal cannabis market is drawing away from the legal one, experts say it could threaten the future of legal cannabis as the industry begins to grow into adolescence.

PBS

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.

Las Vegas Sun

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.

Las Vegas Sun

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.

Las Vegas Sun

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.

Benzinga

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.