LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Years after cannabis consumption lounges were legalized in Nevada, only one operates regularly for public use statewide.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board tells FOX5, they have issued 28 conditional licenses to prospective operators.

Barriers to opening

Christopher LaPorte, a consultant working with a client seeking to open a cannabis business in Las Vegas’ Arts District, said three major hurdles prevent businesses from opening.

“The first one is perception. Like, what people think these lounges are supposed to be,” LaPorte said.

He said lounges will offer more than smoking spaces and will be designed as destinations.

“It’s going to be a restaurant. It’s going to be a movie theater. There’s going to be anything where you’re just replacing alcohol with cannabis,” LaPorte explained.

The second challenge involves finding real estate. State regulations require lounges to operate at least 1,500 feet from casinos, limiting location options.

“Not every property owner wants to lease to cannabis lounge license holders. And so now you have to ask yourself, if you’re a first-time business owner, and you want to open up your first restaurant, do you have to buy the building too?” LaPorte said.

Funding represents the third obstacle for prospective owners entering the new industry.

State support efforts

Steve Gilbert, chief of administration for the Cannabis Compliance Board, said the agency held a resources fair this week for conditional license holders.

“We know it is difficult. It’s a new industry,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the CCB is working to help prospective owners through the licensing process and expressed enthusiasm about proposed business concepts.

“A bowling alley, or a massage parlor or infused products. It’s been remarkable to see, and it will be even more remarkable to see what different business models come to life,” Gilbert said.

LaPorte’s client has held a conditional license for two years. He described her planned business as “a supper club” that will serve “sophisticated food” and “happens to offer you cannabis with it instead of a traditional alcoholic beverage.”

LaPorte predicted growth similar to dispensary expansion after legalization of cannabis in Nevada.

“I’m hoping to see these things open up by next year, no question,” LaPorte said.

The Cannabis Compliance Board provides resources for prospective owners on its website, including presentations from this week’s resource fair.

The only consumption lounge currently open to the public in Nevada is Dazed! which operates at Planet 13 in Las Vegas.

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Goodwill of Southern Nevada continues with its Care-to-Care Fundraising Partnership and this month they are joining forces with Lighthouse Charities. Goodwill of Southern Nevada’s Brian Stewart and Cindy Trussell from Lighthouse Charities are here to share more.

Goodwill is so proud to put people to work both in their stores and in industries where they need great workers. They are impressed that Lighthouse Charities brings in such passionate workers that help to resettle those from countries all over the planet. People are coming from refugee camps, they are so proud to be in America, they are industrious and they want to get ahead.

Cindy Trussell founded Lighthouse Charities 10 years ago. She was already serving in the community, working with the Clark County School district, setting up food pantries to help families in need. The school district introduced her to the population she is now serving. Different schools that she was working with came forward and told her about some of the challenges they were facing as staff to try and clothe and feed these families and help them with their needs.

For more information go to GoodwillVegas.org.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — President Donald Trump endorsed Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo for re-election on Thursday.

The president shared on the social app Truth Social a lengthy post endorsing Lombardo, which the Governor shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

This marks the second time Trump has endorsed Lombardo for the position after endorsing him in 2022 when then-Clark County Sheriff Lombardo was vying to be the Republican nominee against former Governor Steve Sisolak.

“Joe Lombardo is the strong and very popular Governor of Nevada, a very special place to me in that we had a BIG Presidential Election Win just one year ago, November 5, 2024!” the post began.

President Trump went on to list Lombardo’s accomplishments, noting he was the former Clark County Sheriff as well as a U.S. Army Veteran.

“Joe strongly supports our incredible Law Enforcement, Military, Veterans, and knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to Promote LAW AND ORDER,” Trump wrote.

“As Governor, he is fighting tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Ensure NO TAX ON TIPS, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Provide Access to Affordable Health Care, Champion School Choice, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under seige Second Amendment,” Trump continued.

Lombardo launched his re-election bid in September at a campaign kick-off event in Las Vegas.

“This is where my journey began. Right here,” Lombardo said of Rancho High School, where the event was held. “There was no phantom of me attending high school that I would eventually run for governor. Never in the back of my mind and the front of my mind.”

“Looking ahead to 2026, the stakes couldn’t be higher or the risk any larger,” Lombardo said at the event. “If democrats take back power in Carson City, you know what happens. Higher taxes, fewer jobs, boys in girls’ sports, and more soft-on-crime laws.”

“Joe Lombardo is SMART, STRONG, AND TOUGH, and he has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election–HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump’s post concluded.

In his own social media post, Lombardo thanked Trump for the endorsement and his leadership.

“I look forward to continuing my work to advance our conservative agenda and keep Nevada red!” Lombardo wrote.

This endorsement comes days after Democrats won several key races in other states, including Zohran Mamdani, who won the mayoral election in New York City.