Do Public Pot Smokers Get into Trouble?

Taken from your recent answer on marijuana lounges from the person who smelled pot everywhere, even on the Deuce, how likely is it that public pot smoking will get the smokers into any kind of trouble?

Actually, not very likely.

Although a whole lot of pot is sold — and presumably consumed — in Nevada (about $1 million per day’s worth) and Las Vegas (a sizable percentage of it), very few people have been cited in the city for public pot smoking.

KSNV News 3, the local NBC affiliate, reviewed legal records for Las Vegas and found that since pot was legalized on July 1, 2017, only 41 people have been ticketed in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. That compares to 762 people ticketed in Denver during Colorado’s first year of legal pot.

It seems obvious that the police are mostly turning the other nostril to the smell, or even the sight, of pot smoking in public.

Nevada State Sen. Tick Segerblom, considered the godfather of legal pot here, commented, “Police are trained to let tourists enjoy themselves. If they get too rowdy, they’ll step in. The fact is, if pot smokers aren’t bothering anybody else, who cares?” (This is true to an extent, but based on the comments on our preview of tomorrow's poll on pot, second-hand smoke is a distinct issue for a lot of people who face drug-testing in the workplace.)

In the worst-case scenario, the fine for the misdemeanor will cost $600.

News 3 actually cited a worst-case scenario in which one toker was ticketed after lighting up right in front of police officers at the Bellagio fountains.

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Comments

Dave Jun-08-2018

Has anything changed?

Isn’t the police’s attitude of looking the other way, the same as before it was legal?

O2bnVegas Jun-08-2018

cig stink vs pot stink

How does pot stink compare to to cigarette stink?  Can it be any worse?  Sorry all y'all cig smokers out there, but you stink up the place.  Will pot smokers toss their butts on the streets and sidewalks like cig smokers do?  I predict yes, because both numb the brain to inconsiderate behavior.  But you won't hear me complain or give you the 'stink-eye'if you sit next to me in the casino.  Except for the youngsters lighting up...so sad, the health problems they will face in 30-40 years, including addiction.

Daniel Jun-08-2018

Cig/Pot smell

Candy Wright, If you don't like smoke it doesn't matter too much what stinks worse.  I will say if you have a job that does drug testing I doubt you would keep that opinion.  I can pretty much avoid it in open air, but not a casino.

O2bnVegas Jun-08-2018

No drug test

Thanks, Daniel, but I'm retired!

[email protected] Jun-09-2018

Public Drunkeness

A drunk is a drunk and capable of violence using a vehicle or a weapon. I don't see that pot is any better or much different than alcohol or other drugs.

Gramps Jun-09-2018

pot

Just to comment on mike48128, yes, there is a difference, you can sit next to a drunk or someone drinking and not get drunk. If you sit next to or around someone smoking pot you could get high or bust your drug test if they have them at your job, and most places of work have them.

Michael Jun-09-2018

Sorry...

...but I don't think anyone failed a workplace drug test because they were seated near someone smoking pot.  Give me a break.

Question of the Day - 08 June 2018

Comments