What is Nevada medical cannabis ‘Reciprocity’?

reciprocity
(AP Photo/Scott Sonner)

WHAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECIPROCITY IS

“Reciprocity” means your weed card works in Las Vegas. A unique program authorized by Nevada’s 2014 medical cannabis law allowing qualified patients from any legal medical cannabis state to purchase and use medical cannabis in Nevada. No other state has better reciprocity laws.

WHAT YOU NEED TO QUALIFY FOR RECIPROCITY

Visitors from California, Maine, Maryland and Washington may provide a valid doctor’s recommendation to use medical cannabis; and valid government-issued photo identification — just like they do at their home-state dispensaries until the Nevada Legislature rules otherwise. Alternatively, Californians can obtain and present a California Medical Marijuana Identification Card and valid identification. State ID cards are available through county health departments to people with valid doctors’ recommendations. Cards are valid for one year and vary in price by county ($70 in Del Norte, $120 in San Francisco, $153 in Los Angeles, $230 in Ventura and $279 in Mariposa). People from other medical cannabis states and the District of Columbia must present government-issued medical cannabis cards and government-issued ID.

WHAT YOU CAN PURCHASE MARIJUANA IN NEVADA

Flowers, concentrates, edibles and topicals. All flowers grown indoors mostly in Las Vegas but you’ll find Reno-grown. High desert weather, budtenders say, tends to dry flowers. Grams average $13 top-shelf, $10 mid-shelf and $6 bottom shelf. Concentrates $40-$50 per half gram. Brands like Moxie, Bhang and Kiva will be familiar to Californians. Nevada brands to watch for: Kynd and Evergreen Organic.

HOW MUCH NEVADA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN TOURISTS BUY?

Out-of-state patients are allowed to purchase 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis (flowers, or a determined equivalent of edibles and concentrates) every 14 days. Purchases are tracked in a state database. Visiting multiple dispensaries? Each one can tell you how much remaining cannabis you’re eligible to purchase.

WHERE YOU CAN BUY NEVADA WEED

  1. Sierra Wellness Connection;1605 E 2nd St. #103, Reno
  2. The Dispensary; 100 W Plum Lane, Reno
  3. Blum Reno; 1092 S Virginia St. A, Reno
  4. Mynt Cannabis Dispensary (opening Feb. 15); 132 E 2nd St., Reno
  5. Silver State Relief;175 E Greg St., Sparks
  6. Kanna Reno; 5398 Sun Valley Blvd., Sun Valley
  7. RISE Carson City;135 Clearview Dr. #119, Carson City
  8. Sierra Wellness Connection; 2765 US Highway 50 East, Suite A, Carson City
  9. NuLeaf Incline Village; 877 Tahoe Blvd., North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village

WHERE YOU CAN CONSUME MARIJUANA IN NEVADA?

Consumption of medical cannabis in Nevada is legal only in private residences.

CAN YOU BRING NEVADA MARIJUANA HOME?

NOPE. Interstate transportation of cannabis is a federal crime — one reason Nevada instituted reciprocity.

KEEP IT CALIFORNIA

Headed to Tahoe but not crossing the state line into Nevada? Your medical cannabis options are limited. Tahoe Wellness in South Lake Tahoe is the only dispensary on the California side of the Tahoe Basin. Bonus: Tahoe Wellness has an on-premises consumption lounge. Delivery services operate from Truckee to Kings Beach on the lake’s western shore. Traveling Highway 50? Highlands Wellness in El Dorado Hills is the last dispensary before you leave the greater Sacramento region. Traveling Interstate 80? Sacramento’s River City Phoenix is freeway convenient.