Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 678C - Medical Use of Cannabis
NRS 678C.200 - Holder of valid registry identification card or medical cannabis establishment license exempt from state prosecution for certain acts involving cannabis.


1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 678C.300, a person who holds a valid registry identification card issued to the person pursuant to NRS 678C.230 or 678C.270 is exempt from state prosecution for:
(a) The possession, delivery or production of cannabis;
(b) The possession or delivery of paraphernalia;
(c) Aiding and abetting another in the possession, delivery or production of cannabis;
(d) Aiding and abetting another in the possession or delivery of paraphernalia;
(e) Any combination of the acts described in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive; and
(f) Any other criminal offense in which the possession, delivery or production of cannabis or the possession or delivery of paraphernalia is an element.
2. In addition to the provisions of subsections 1 and 5, no person may be subject to state prosecution for constructive possession, conspiracy or any other criminal offense solely for being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of cannabis in accordance with the provisions of this title.
3. The exemption from state prosecution set forth in subsection 1 applies only to the extent that a person who holds a registry identification card issued to the person pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 678C.230 and the designated primary caregiver, if any, of such a person:
(a) Engage in or assist in, as applicable, the medical use of cannabis in accordance with the provisions of this title as justified to mitigate the symptoms or effects of a person’s chronic or debilitating medical condition; and
(b) Do not, at any one time, collectively possess with another who is authorized to possess, deliver or produce more than:
(1) Two and one-half ounces of usable cannabis;
(2) Twelve cannabis plants, irrespective of whether the cannabis plants are mature or immature; and
(3) A maximum allowable quantity of cannabis products as established by regulation of the Board.
The persons described in this subsection must ensure that the usable cannabis and cannabis plants described in this subsection are safeguarded in an enclosed, secure location.
4. If the persons described in subsection 3 possess, deliver or produce cannabis in an amount which exceeds the amount described in paragraph (b) of that subsection, those persons:
(a) Are not exempt from state prosecution for the possession, delivery or production of cannabis.
(b) May establish an affirmative defense to charges of the possession, delivery or production of cannabis, or any combination of those acts, in the manner set forth in NRS 678C.310.
5. A person who holds a valid medical cannabis establishment license issued to the person pursuant to NRS 678B.210, a valid cannabis establishment agent registration card issued to the person pursuant to NRS 678B.340, a valid cannabis establishment agent registration card for a cannabis executive issued pursuant to NRS 678B.350 or a valid cannabis establishment agent registration card for a cannabis receiver issued pursuant to NRS 678B.355 and who confines his or her activities to those authorized by this title, and the regulations adopted by the Board pursuant thereto, is exempt from state prosecution for:
(a) The possession, delivery or production of cannabis;
(b) The possession or delivery of paraphernalia;
(c) Aiding and abetting another in the possession, delivery or production of cannabis;
(d) Aiding and abetting another in the possession or delivery of paraphernalia;
(e) Any combination of the acts described in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive; and
(f) Any other criminal offense in which the possession, delivery or production of cannabis or the possession or delivery of paraphernalia is an element.
6. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as otherwise provided in this subsection, after a medical cannabis dispensary opens in the county of residence of a person who holds a registry identification card, including, without limitation, a designated primary caregiver, such a person is not authorized to cultivate, grow or produce cannabis. The provisions of this subsection do not apply if:
(a) The person who holds the registry identification card was cultivating, growing or producing cannabis in accordance with state law on or before July 1, 2013;
(b) All the medical cannabis dispensaries in the county of residence of the person who holds the registry identification card close or are unable to supply the quantity or strain of cannabis necessary for the medical use of the person to treat his or her specific medical condition;
(c) Because of illness or lack of transportation, the person who holds the registry identification card is unable reasonably to travel to a medical cannabis dispensary; or
(d) No medical cannabis dispensary was operating within 25 miles of the residence of the person who holds the registry identification card at the time the person first applied for his or her registry identification card.
7. As used in this section, "cannabis" includes, without limitation, cannabis products.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 3814; A 2021, 2152)

Structure Nevada Revised Statutes

Nevada Revised Statutes

Chapter 678C - Medical Use of Cannabis

NRS 678C.005 - Definitions.

NRS 678C.010 - "Attending provider of health care" defined.

NRS 678C.020 - "Cachexia" defined.

NRS 678C.030 - "Chronic or debilitating medical condition" defined.

NRS 678C.040 - "Designated primary caregiver" defined.

NRS 678C.050 - "Division" defined.

NRS 678C.060 - "Inventory control system" defined.

NRS 678C.070 - "Letter of approval" defined.

NRS 678C.080 - "Registry identification card" defined.

NRS 678C.090 - "State prosecution" defined.

NRS 678C.100 - "Usable cannabis" defined.

NRS 678C.110 - "Written documentation" defined.

NRS 678C.200 - Holder of valid registry identification card or medical cannabis establishment license exempt from state prosecution for certain acts involving cannabis.

NRS 678C.210 - Holder of valid letter of approval exempt from state prosecution for certain acts involving cannabis.

NRS 678C.220 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Program for issuance; application.

NRS 678C.230 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Issuance to applicant; issuance of card to designated primary caregiver; required contents; duration; renewal.

NRS 678C.240 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Revocation; duties; judicial review; reapplication prohibited for 12 months.

NRS 678C.250 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Holder to notify Division of certain changes in information.

NRS 678C.260 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Card or letter to be returned to Division following diagnosis of absence of chronic or debilitating medical condition.

NRS 678C.270 - Registry identification cards and letters of approval: Requirements concerning designation of primary caregiver.

NRS 678C.300 - Acts for which holder of registry identification card or letter of approval is not exempt from state prosecution and may not raise affirmative defense; additional penalty.

NRS 678C.310 - Affirmative defenses.

NRS 678C.400 - Location, land use and signage for medical cannabis establishment; certain provisions inapplicable to dual licenses.

NRS 678C.410 - Actions with respect to cannabis required to be for certain purpose; medical cannabis establishment authorized to acquire cannabis from patient; certain provisions inapplicable to dual licensees.

NRS 678C.420 - Electronic verification system.

NRS 678C.430 - Inventory control system.

NRS 678C.440 - Duties of medical cannabis dispensaries relating to sale of cannabis and cannabis products and relating to legal limits on possession of cannabis for medical use.

NRS 678C.450 - Requirements concerning delivery of cannabis or cannabis products.

NRS 678C.460 - Requirements concerning storage, removal and transportation of cannabis for medical use.

NRS 678C.470 - Medical cannabis dispensary authorized to dispense cannabis to nonresidents of this State under certain circumstances.

NRS 678C.480 - Designation of medical cannabis dispensary.

NRS 678C.490 - Regulations.

NRS 678C.500 - Recommendation to Legislature.

NRS 678C.600 - Possession of registry identification card, letter of approval, license or registration card not permissible grounds for search or inspection; care and return of seized property.

NRS 678C.610 - Forfeiture of assets seized.

NRS 678C.650 - Professional licensing board prohibited from taking disciplinary action against attending provider of health care on basis of provider’s participation in certain activities in accordance with this chapter.

NRS 678C.660 - Professional licensing board prohibited from taking disciplinary action against licensee on basis of licensee’s participation in certain activities in accordance with this chapter.

NRS 678C.700 - Program for evaluation and research of medical use of cannabis: Establishment by University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine; federal approval; participants and subjects; quarterly report.

NRS 678C.710 - Program for evaluation and research of medical use of cannabis: Duties of University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine concerning confidentiality.

NRS 678C.720 - Program for evaluation and research of medical use of cannabis: Authority of University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine concerning gifts, grants, donations or contributions for research program.

NRS 678C.730 - Program for evaluation and research of medical use of cannabis: Deposit, use and disposition of money; Department of Administration of University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine to administer account.

NRS 678C.800 - Duties of Division concerning confidentiality; certain items of information not subject to subpoena, discovery or inspection.

NRS 678C.810 - Addition of diseases and conditions to list of qualifying chronic or debilitating medical conditions: Petition; regulations.

NRS 678C.820 - Authority of Board concerning gifts, grants, donations or contributions; deposit of money in State Treasury.

NRS 678C.830 - Deposit, use and disposition of money; administration of account.

NRS 678C.840 - Regulations; fees.

NRS 678C.850 - Effect of chapter.

NRS 678C.860 - State not responsible for deleterious outcomes from medical use of cannabis.