Brennan Linsley / AP
In this Oct. 23, 2013, file photo, marijuana is displayed at the River Rock dispensary in Denver. Nevada has passed legislation that will allow medical marijuana dispensaries.
Friday, March 28, 2014 | 12:24 p.m.
CARSON CITY — Regulations for setting up medical marijuana clinics cleared their final hurdle Friday, about a week before the law allowing the dispensaries takes effect.
The Legislative Commission, without discussion, unanimously approved the regulations by the state Division of Public and Behavioral Health. They spell out requirements for testing laboratories, cultivation operations, processing facilities and dispensaries.
Sen. Tick Segerblom, the sponsor of the law, called passage of the regulations a “huge step forward.” The Las Vegas Democrat said the next key is what local governments do in permitting the dispensaries.
Steven Cooksey of MedMen, a consulting firm on marijuana issues, said it may be late this year or early 2015 before marijuana is available for sale.
The state law allowing dispensaries takes effect Thursday. But there will be a 45-day notice period before a 10-day window opens for submitting applications for marijuana-related businesses. After that, state officials will have 90 days to grant licenses.
Some 6,800 people have prescriptions for medical marijuana, but state officials believe that number will skyrocket once the dispensaries open.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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