The new licenses—10 of which are reserved for social equity applicants—will be awarded to those who plan to operate a consumption lounge independent from an existing retail facility. Overall, 30 social equity and 49 nonsocial equity applicants submitted the proper paperwork for the licenses during a 10-day window last month, according to CCB.
In addition, another 20 applications were completed for a retail license type, allowing for established dispensaries to have a consumption lounge attached or adjacent to their current facility. State officials did not cap the number of lounge licenses for retailers, so those submissions are not subject to a lottery.
| License Application Type | Completed Applications |
| Retail Cannabis Consumption Lounge | 20 |
| Independent Lounge (Nonsocial Equity) | 49 |
| Independent Lounge (Social Equity) | 30 |
| Total | 99 |
The 79 total applicants for the 20 independent licenses will be selected from a computerized system provided by New Jersey-based Smartplay International Inc. Auditing and consulting firm Henry and Horne will oversee the event.
“Those selected to receive a prospective license will receive a letter from the CCB, upon which applicants will move into a ‘prospective licensee’ status and will have 120 days to provide the documentation and information required for the CCB’s suitability investigation,” according to a press release from the board.
The CCB provides a checklist on its website for prospective license holders.
State regulators anticipate that the first cannabis consumption lounges will open during the first half of 2023 in Nevada.
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