Marijuana watch

The Nevada Cannabis Industry Association filed an initiative petition that, if approved, would provide full fledged legal marijuana in the state. If the 101,667 signatures are gathered, the petition would go first to the 2015 Nevada Legislature. If the lawmakers decline to enact the measure, it would then go onto the ballot for voters to decide. The measure provides for a 15 percent tax on sales. The petition can be read in its entirety at http://nvsos.gov/index.aspx?page=1309.

In medical marijuana news, Nye County Commissioners are considering measures to repeal an already-adopted dispensary zoning bill, and another measure allowing individuals to continue growing their own after a dispensary opens. A hearing on those measures is scheduled for May 19.

District Attorney Brian Kunzi informed the commissioners that growing marijuana for medical purposes is illegal under new state law if there is a dispensary is operating in their jurisdiction and can serve their needs. The commissioners are moving ahead with it anyway.

In Pahrump—which is located in Nye County—the town board is considering licensing fees for the cultivation of marijuana inside the town. “I would like to have the simplest procedure for getting the license,” board chair Harley Kulkin said. “We want to entice everybody to bring their business here.”