Nevada's cannabis laws are spread across four chapters of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), collectively known as Title 56. This page consolidates the laws that matter most for Las Vegas tourists and residents into a single reference.

NRS Title 56 — Cannabis Law Overview

Possession & Purchase Limits

SB 277 (effective January 1, 2024) increased Nevada's possession and purchase limits:

Possession limits and purchase limits are the same. Adults 21+ may possess up to 2.5 ounces of flower and/or 0.25 ounces of concentrate. These amounts apply per person, not per transaction — buying from two dispensaries in one day does not double your limit.

SB 277 increased the legal possession and purchase limit for cannabis flower from 1 ounce to 2.5 ounces and from 1/8 ounce to 1/4 ounce of concentrated cannabis, effective January 1, 2024.

Nevada Legislature — SB 277 (2023)

Edible Regulations

Public Consumption — NRS 678D.310

Consuming cannabis in any public place in Las Vegas is a misdemeanor under NRS 678D.310:

"Public place" is broadly defined and includes: streets, sidewalks, parks, the Las Vegas Strip, Fremont Street, casino properties (all areas), hotel common areas, restaurants, bars, moving vehicles (even as a passenger), and anywhere open to or visible from public view.

Legal consumption is limited to: licensed consumption lounges, private residences with the property owner's permission, and cannabis-friendly vacation rentals.

Cannabis DUI — AB 400 Reform

Assembly Bill 400 reformed Nevada's cannabis DUI laws to distinguish between impairment-based enforcement (1st and 2nd offenses) and per se limits (3rd+ offenses). This was a significant change from the previous system that relied solely on per se blood levels.

1st and 2nd Offenses — Impairment-Based

For first and second DUI offenses, prosecutors must prove actual impairment — a blood test showing THC alone is not enough for a conviction. Officers evaluate impairment through field sobriety tests, driving behavior, and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) assessments.

3rd+ Offenses — Per Se Limits Apply

For third and subsequent offenses, Nevada reverts to per se blood limits:

DUI Penalties

Federal Property Prohibition

Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. While Nevada state law permits recreational use, cannabis is prohibited on all federal property, including:

• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) — airports are federal jurisdiction
• National parks and recreation areas — Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon (federal portions), etc.
• Federal buildings — courthouses, post offices, federal offices
• Military installations — Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base
• All commercial flights — under FAA/federal aviation authority

Possession on federal property can result in federal charges regardless of the amount or your state-issued medical card.

Transporting Cannabis

Cannabis must be transported in a sealed container stored in the trunk or glove box of the vehicle. If the vehicle has no trunk (SUVs, hatchbacks), keep it in the furthest area from the driver in a sealed container.

• Sealed container — the exit bag from the dispensary qualifies
• Trunk or glove box — not in the passenger cabin, not on your person while driving
• No open containers — an opened package of edibles or a partially used vape cartridge in the center console is a violation
• No consumption while driving — including as a passenger in a moving vehicle

1,500-Foot Gaming License Rule

Nevada law prohibits licensed cannabis dispensaries from operating within 1,500 feet of any establishment holding an unrestricted gaming license. Since the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street are lined with casinos, this effectively bans dispensaries from the Strip.

Clark County has approximately 103 licensed retail dispensaries, all located off the Strip. Most are a 5–15 minute rideshare from mid-Strip hotels.

AB 504 (2025) — Fake Dispensary Signage

Assembly Bill 504 (2025) requires unlicensed cannabis-themed shops — particularly the hemp/CBD stores operating on the Strip and Fremont Street — to display prominent signage disclosing that they are not licensed cannabis dispensaries.

This legislation was a direct response to the proliferation of shops designed to look like dispensaries, using marijuana leaf imagery, green cross symbols, and names containing "cannabis" or "dispensary" to mislead tourists into thinking they are buying real THC products.

AB 504 does not ban these shops, but it requires clear disclosure so consumers can make informed decisions. Enforcement and compliance are ongoing.

Official Sources

• NRS 678A — General Provisions (Cannabis)
• NRS 678B — Licensing and Control of Cannabis
• NRS 678C — Medical Use of Cannabis
• NRS 678D — Adult Use of Cannabis
• NRS 484C — Driving Under the Influence
• NRS 202.2483 — Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act
• Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board
• CCB Consumer Resources
• CCB Biennial Report 2025