In 2017, the Paiute Tribe opened one of the largest cannabis dispensary stores in the country. NuWu Cannabis Dispensary opened with more than a thousand products for sale in their 15,800 square foot lobby two miles north of the main strip in Las Vegas. Medical cannabis had been legal in the state for almost two decades and recreational cannabis sales were set to begin shortly after the store opened. 

By 2019, the Paiute Tribe opened a second location closer to their reservation about 20 miles north of the Las Vegas strip. Each location offered a drive-thru for cannabis ordering and pick-up. The main location also opened up a tasting lounge, where customers could try different products in a safe environment for cheap to see how they liked it and how they would react to it. 

Sovereignty

However, drive-thrus and social consumption lounges weren’t legal in Nevada at the time. How could the Paiute Tribe operate these locations and not get in trouble? Years before, the tribe leaders and state lawmakers negotiated terms to allow the Paiute Tribe, as well as other tribes in the state, to operate and function as their own sovereign entities. They didn’t necessarily have to follow state laws. 

So, NuWu Cannabis Dispensaries offered drive-thrus when most counties banned the concept for cannabis stores. They also opened up their tasting lounge before social consumption sites were legal. Only this year did Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, D, approve a social consumption lounge bill. Counties are still working to get their separate rules in place, so more lounges are coming to Nevada. However, NuWu still has the state’s only legal social consumption lounge and they are proud to advertise it. 

Covid-19

2020 disrupted life for everyone, but the Paiute Tribe stayed strong. Initially following the state’s mandatory shutdown, the tribe opened up their drive-thrus after a few weeks. Public demand rose from locals, who quarantine at home and saw the drive-thru as a great option. The tribe treated their drive-thru similar to Chick-fil-a, with several people outside guiding traffic and radioing in orders before sending cars forward to pay and pick-up. 

Many workers were already licensed retailers from other dispensaries currently closed, so they were able to work the same day they were hired. Demand continued to soar, and the tribe reached out to local growers and processors to help keep up. Even beyond that, the tribe hired a third party for home delivery orders as requests poured in. Even at $150 minimums for home delivery orders, they still had their work cut out for them. 

Future

As 2021 moves past the halfway point, more stores and dispensaries are opening up. This includes larger companies from outside the state, such as Green Thumb and Curaleaf. With over 4,500 people served daily between both locations, the Paiute Tribe continues to dominate the Las Vegas cannabis industry. 

Tribe leaders say they have plans for the future. However, meeting the status quo right now is the way to go. As the world opens up more and begins to recover from the continued pandemic, cannabis consumers can look forward to more innovative changes from the Paiute Tribe and their NuWu Cannabis Dispensaries in Las Vegas.

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