CCB reviews 2025 legislation affecting testing, packaging, hemp products and tax permitting

Note: original transcript contains an extended list of bills; the summary below reflects the board briefing delivered on June 18 and adheres to what was stated during the meeting.

Executive Director James briefed the Cannabis Compliance Board on six bills from the 2025 legislative session that directly affect the board’s operations and licensees. He said the session was busy and described the principal elements the board will need to implement.

Key points relayed to the board:

- AB 76 (CCB-sponsored): Signed by Governor Lombardo and effective on passage. James described AB 76 as an agency “run the agency” bill that makes administrative fixes to the complaint process, testing holds, and packaging/labeling rules. The bill also requires creation of a Cannabis Advisory Commission (CAC) to study regulation of hemp-derived intoxicating THC products and requires a study to consider changes to the cannabis tax structure. James said regulations and workshops will be needed; the board can begin implementing some changes immediately and will start a formal workshop process (targeting August).

- AB 504: Becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025. The bill establishes deceptive trade-practice provisions for sales of certain hemp products by entities that are not licensed cannabis establishments. It requires conspicuous signage notifying customers that the seller is not a licensed cannabis establishment and prohibits false or misleading advertising about licensing status or product nature. James said CCB’s enforcement team will investigate under the statute and pass potential civil or criminal penalty matters to the Attorney General’s Office (Bureau of Consumer Protection) for prosecution.

- SB 25: Now effective. The bill expands the State Fire Marshal’s jurisdiction to include cannabis production and cultivation facilities; James said this will affect production licensees and the fire marshal will inspect compliance with fire codes.

- SB 41: Becomes effective Jan. 1, 2027. The bill requires a cannabis tax permit from the Department of Taxation for any business selling cannabis in Nevada. James said the Department of Taxation will issue the permit, may suspend or revoke it for tax noncompliance following tax procedures, and that a suspension for outstanding tax liability would require the CCB to revoke the cannabis license until tax liabilities are resolved. James stated no additional fees were added for the permit and that the permit adds administrative steps and appeal routes (e.g., the Tax Commission) rather than immediate revocations.

- SB 157: Effective Oct. 1, 2025. The bill requires the CCB to adopt regulations governing cannabis testing, including provisions on lot-size testing. James summarized that lot sizes may range from 5 up to 15 pounds (lot size optional for licensees), with sample-size step increases tied to larger lot brackets; for example, a representative sample size of 10 grams was discussed for some brackets. He said CCB will work with industry and laboratories and incorporate ASTM and national standards during the regulatory process.

- SB 168: Now in effect. James said the bill increases maximum quantities of THC in certain packaged adult-use products and requires the board to adopt procedures and requirements for issuing hold orders for cannabis or cannabis products; board agents may issue hold orders only under adopted regulations. James said much of this bill was drafted to address pesticide and hold-order issues the board has encountered and will require regulation changes.

Implementation and next steps: James told the board CCB will issue written guidance via listserv (Constant Contact) and host workshops to draft necessary regulations; some changes can be implemented immediately while others await formal rulemaking. Staff will coordinate with the Department of Taxation and Attorney General’s Office on tax permit procedures and enforcement. The board will be asked to review proposed regulations at future meetings.

Why it matters: The bills change operational and regulatory processes for Nevada licensees — from testing and packaging to taxation and enforcement pathways — and will require board-led regulation and guidance to licensees.

Board members praised staff for handling the session and asked for bill summaries and actionable checklists; James said staff is preparing written summaries and will distribute notes and begin workshops.