Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Clark County commissioners have approved licenses for all 18 medical marijuana dispensaries available in its jurisdiction.
The 18 businesses approved Friday were whittled down from a field of 79 applicants during three days of public hearings.
The lucrative potential of the medical marijuana industry prompted a flood of applications from prominent members of Las Vegas' political, medical, legal and real estate fields.
The Las Vegas Sun reports license winners include businesses associated with former state lawmakers Richard Perkins, David Goldwater, Mark James and Chad Christensen.
The 18 businesses will be located in unincorporated areas of the state's most populous county, which is centered around Las Vegas.
Nevada legalized medical marijuana in 2000, but the only way for patients to obtain the drug was to grow it.
Last year, state lawmakers approved and Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a law that cleared the way for dispensaries.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
