Written By: Abby Kaufmann

Reflecting on 2024:
A Year of Transformation and Progress for Nevada's Cannabis Industry

As 2024 comes to a close, the Chamber reflects on a year of significant transformation—not just for our organization but for Nevada’s cannabis industry as a whole.

In the cannabis world, many liken “cannabis years” to “dog years,” and looking back on 2024’s extensive milestones, it’s easy to see why. However you measure time, the Chamber spent much of 2024 working to enhance YOUR Chamber experience with a realigned focus on two key pillars: Commerce and Leadership.

COMMERCE

Over the past twelve months, Nevada’s cannabis industry witnessed new market opportunities and significant shifts in its regulatory framework, many of which stemmed from cannabis-related legislation passed in Nevada’s 82nd Legislative Session. Highlights include:

  • Increase in daily purchase and possession limits (SB 277) 
  • Significant reductions in fees for the initial issuance and renewal of licenses (SB 277) 
  • Elimination of time and effort billing (SB 195) 
  • Removal of CCB exemption from the Administrative Procedures Act (SB 328) 

In the first half of 2024, the Chamber played an essential role in workshops organized by the Cannabis Compliance Board. Although the new regulatory language is pending review under the Administrative Procedures Act, the Chamber’s involvement contributed to the CCB’s approval of significant improvements to Nevada Cannabis Compliance Regulations (NCCRs), including:

  • Reduce the cost of replacement agent cards, down to $35 from $70 (NCCR 5.140)
  • Provide cannabis retail establishments the ability to sell certain types of un-infused, pre-packaged items (NCCR 7.030)
  • Increase delivery vehicle limits by 2.5x, at 12.5 ounces per delivery vehicle instead of the current 5-ounce limit per vehicle (NCCR 7.050)
  • Introduce key points of clarification, particularly in regulations related to disciplinary actions (definitions of time, clarification on definition for diversion, specifying between mature vs. immature plants) 
  • Regulatory changes to reflect the Chamber’s legislative wins with SB277

LEADERSHIP

The Chamber underwent a major leadership transition in the second half of 2024, following the resignation of its co-founders. This change prompted a strategic restructuring that reaffirmed the Chamber’s mission: empower cannabis businesses to thrive.

 

Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Transition Task Force and extensive member feedback, the Chamber emerged from 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Under the leadership of its new Board of Directors, all activities and strategic decisions for the Association will be guided by the core values of integrity, collaboration, innovation, equity, and sustainability.

In line with this renewed vision, the Chamber launched the Innovation Lab in July 2024. This member-driven initiative ensures that the Chamber’s work with policymakers and regulators best represents the community’s interests. The Innovation Lab, a four-part series, will continue through Nevada’s 83rd Legislative Session and will include four key legislative focuses.

Details are to be introduced at the  January Networking Event and publicly announced in the next Roll Up.

2024 Milestones & Events

January
  • Senate Bill 277 takes effect; Increasing daily purchase limits from 1 oz to 2.5 oz of usable cannabis and from ⅛ oz to ¼ oz concentrated cannabis.
  • CCB hosts a workshop soliciting input on all cannabis regulations
  • First Cannabis Advisory Commission Meeting of Subcommittee on Market Participation. Chamber Board Member Nicole Buffong was nominated to serve. 
February
  • Association Meeting: How Government Works for You 
  • First state-licensed cannabis consumption lounge opens 
  • Cannabis Advisory Commission submits report and recommendations on rescheduling/de-scheduling cannabis as required by Senate Bill 277
  • The Chamber introduces a new member portal on its website to provide member-exclusive content and features
March
April
  • Association Meeting: Business Leadership
  • CCB Workshop on Testing Lab Regulations
  • Political Roundtable: Mayoral & City Council Candidates
  • Chamber awarded 2024 Industry Innovator of the Year by Las Vegas Weekly 
  • First-ever 4/20 State Fair 
May
  • CCB Workshop on Disciplinary Actions Regulations 
  • CCB Workshop on Regulation 12
  • DEA Proposed to Transfer Marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act
June
  • Founders of the Chamber of Cannabis resign; new Leadership appointed
  • Creation of Transition Task Force
  • CCB hearing to approve workshop revisions; draft submitted to Nevada Register of Administrative Regulations 
July
August
September
October
November
  • 2024 General Elections
  • First cannabis-related bills for 2025 drafted and filed; Senate Bill 41 was submitted on behalf of the Department of Taxation and Assembly Bill 76 was submitted on behalf of the Cannabis Compliance Board
December
  • Exhibitor at MJBizCon Association’s Day
  • Selected to host Nevada State Takeover at MJBizCon 
  • First DEA Hearing on Rescheduling 
  • UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute releases series of reports on Nevada’s cannabis

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