The popularity of recreational marijuana sales has created a shortage of product. Delivery from grow operations to dispensaries is expected to help alleviate the problem.
Recreational marijuana has been extremely popular in Nevada only two weeks in. Now the program is about to expand with the first delivery license being approved by state officials.
Blackbird Logistics Corporation is the first company approved to transport marijuana from grow operations to dispensaries. The hope is that Blackbird will be able to help alleviate the widespread product shortage.
It appears that shops may be feeling at least some sort of relief.
“The dam has been broken and stuff is starting to trickle in,” said Al Fasano, COO of the Las Vegas dispensary ReLeaf, according to CNN.
While many have been critical of the shops, dispensaries only received approval for recreational sales several days before the July 1 start date. It was difficult for shops to prepare for the rush.
Kevin Benson, a lawyer representing the liquor industry faulted the Nevada Taxation Department for the delay in handing out licenses.
“This is not the fault of the distributors,” he said. “It is because the licensing process was badly delayed due to the Department’s initial, erroneous, determination back in March.”
Medical marijuana can be transported by a number of companies in Nevada. However, recreational cannabis can only be transported by liquor distributors. Blackbird has been delivering medical marijuana since 2014, but recently was able to obtain a liquor license.
The Nevada Department of Taxation is considering other emergency options to help alleviate the shortage. Nevada authorities seem to have a vested interest in keeping the industry running smoothly.
It is widely known that Nevada has factored recreational marijuana tax revenue in their budgets even before sales started.
“If we don’t adopt the regulations, we will not have a temporary program. If we don’t have a temporary program, we will not have the revenue that’s included in the governor’s budget,” Tax department director, Deonne Contine said in May according to Herb.
