Cannabis labs have popped up in states that have legalized the plant for medical or recreational use. However, because of the federal ban, these labs are operating illegally and risk being shut down. In Nevada, one such lab has been operating since late 2018.
It produces and tests medical cannabis samples under strict regulations established by the state’s Department of Agriculture. On December 19, a lab worker was caught by authorities red-handed after testing positive for amphetamines and other controlled substances.
The worker has been banned from working in any laboratory for ten years as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. This is not an isolated case either; the lab in question is just one of many illegal cannabis labs in Nevada being shut down at an alarming rate.
What is a Cannabis Lab?
A marijuana lab is a facility that is used to extract cannabinoids or create other marijuana products such as edibles and tinctures. The products made in these labs are considered to be “unapproved,” since they are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption.
These labs are illegal under federal law since cannabinoids are still listed as Schedule I drugs in the Controlled Substances Act. Because of their potential for abuse, Schedule I drugs, such as opioids, can only be used in research. While Schedule II and III drugs, such as caffeine, are legal for recreational and medical use, cannabinoids are not allowed for any purpose.
How Many Illegal Cannabis Labs are in Nevada?
In Nevada, law enforcement officers have shut down eight cannabis labs, including the one at the center of the December 19 incident. According to a January 7 report, there are more than a dozen more illegal labs currently conducting business in the state.
This number will most likely grow in the coming months as more are shut down. In terms of the number of state residents who have medical marijuana cards, there are currently more than 83,000 Nevadans with cards that allow them to legally buy cannabis. As of January 7, there are nine dispensaries in the state, four of which are located in Clark County.
Sentencing for Marijuana-Related Offenses
Several states have instituted laws that help push down the sentences for marijuana-related offenses. In Nevada, possession of up to an ounce of marijuana is classified as a misdemeanor. You can be fined up to $600 or spend up to six months in jail for this offense.
Other offenses, such as selling marijuana or manufacturing the drug, are punishable by jail time and large fines. If someone produces marijuana that is found in the state, they can be fined from $5,000 to $250,000 and spend up to five years in prison.
The Raid on the Cannabis Lab in Reno
On December 19, a worker at a marijuana lab in Reno was found to be positive for amphetamines and other controlled substances. The lab’s owner was arrested and charged with several felonies, including manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver.
The lab was shut down and the state’s Department of Agriculture launched an investigation. The department found several other violations besides the employee’s positive drug test, including storing flammable materials in a residential area, improper ventilation, and not maintaining detailed records.
This lab is just one of many illegal cannabis labs in the state that is being shut down at an alarming rate. As of January 7, there are five times more raids on illegal cultivation sites than legal businesses that sell pot to consumers.
What Will Happen to the Rest of the Illegal Cannabis Labs in Nevada?
With each raid on an illegal lab comes a wave of state legislation that cracks down on the industry even more. Nevada’s attorney general has vowed to continue shutting down illegal labs, but state lawmakers are working to pass more regulations on the industry. Lawmakers are currently considering a new bill that would further regulate the state’s marijuana industry.
Under the proposal, all cannabis products would have to be distributed through a specific set of businesses. The legislation also includes a state monopoly for marijuana cultivation. Owners of cultivation sites would have to submit their crop for testing to ensure that it has a THC content of at least 9%.
Legalization will help bring down the rate at which labs are being shut down in the state.
In states where cannabis is completely illegal and prohibited for any reason, authorities have no choice but to shut down every lab that produces or sells marijuana. At the same time, in states that have legalized the plant for medical or recreational use, authorities have a choice in how to deal with these labs.
With less pressure from federal authorities and the need to operate within the state’s regulations, the rate at which illegal labs are being shut down will naturally decrease.
Conclusion
Cannabis labs have popped up in states that have legalized the plant for medical or recreational use. However, because of the federal ban, these labs are operating illegally and risk being shut down. In Nevada, one such lab has been operating since late 2018. It produces and tests medical cannabis samples under strict regulations established by the state’s Department of Agriculture.
On December 19, a lab worker was caught by authorities red-handed after testing positive for amphetamines and other controlled substances. The worker has been banned from working in any laboratory for ten years as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
This is not an isolated case either; the lab in question is just one of many illegal cannabis labs in Nevada being shut down at an alarming rate. As of January 7, there are five times more raids on illegal cultivation sites than legal businesses that sell pot to consumers.
