Stores, state and shoppers await start of recreational marijuana sales in Nevada

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The Nevada Tax Commission is expected to take one more step toward the start of recreational marijuana sales in Nevada.

While Gov. Brian Sandoval has already signed onto the emergency regulations for the labeling and packaging of marijuana, the Tax Commission is expected to formally adopt the regulations Monday at its meeting.

On July 1, any adult 21 and older will be able to walk into one of 37 approved dispensaries in Southern Nevada and buy up to an ounce of marijuana.

“We’re just kind of playing the game as the rules change, to be honest with you,” said Lissa Lawatsch of Las Vegas Releaf.

So far, it’s been a rollercoaster of regulations.

“We’re going to have to be able to respond to those changes and effectively move the crowds through here ... I think that's going to be our biggest challenge right now,” said Lawatsch.

Dispensaries will be able to sell what’s on their shelves on Day 1, but they’re stocking up on supplies since the state still hasn’t licensed any distributors.

“The fact that we're going to be challenged in being able to stock our shelves is definitely something that we are concerned about,” said Lawatsch.

A court order requires alcohol wholesalers to serve as the middleman between the growers and the sellers of marijuana at least for the first 18 months.

In the meantime, Nevada’s godfather of the legal marijuana movement — state Sen. Tick Segerblom — is bracing for the green rush.

“Let's just get it open on (July 1) because the whole world is watching,” said Segerblom.

The governor’s chief of staff told News 3 the state is currently working on licensing alcohol distributors and expects it to be done either on July 1 or within a few days of the start of sales.

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