The Cannabis Policy Institute (CPI) at UNLV has released three impactful new reports addressing key aspects of the cannabis industry. The reports were shared during the institute’s inaugural symposium on Dec. 5 and highlight critical challenges and opportunities related to regulatory reform, market trends, and emerging product categories. 

“As Nevada navigates its position as a national leader in cannabis policy, these reports provide crucial and actionable insights to inform policymakers and industry leaders in our state and beyond,” said CPI director Riana Durrett. “Our goal is to continuously develop, coordinate, and expand cannabis policy, research, and education that will help decision makers navigate a landscape that is both complex and rapidly evolving.” 

The reports explored responsible marketing strategies, the rising demand for THC beverages, Nevada’s cannabis economy, and legislative approaches to cannabis regulation. 

• “Cannabis Marketing: Challenges and the Path Forward” was produced by Dan Smith with Strategies 64 and UNLV marketing professor Marla Royne Stafford, who also serves as CPI’s research director. The report examines a state-by-state patchwork of laws and regulations that – absent federal regulations – make it challenging to find consistency in marketing tactics that protect youth and lead to shared best practices.
• An “Overview of the Nevada Cannabis Economy” was prepared by economists Robin Goldstein and Olena Sambucci from the University of California, Davis. The report pulls data from 2018 to the present and surveys current trends driving the statewide cannabis market – including retail and wholesale pricing trends, business and regulatory challenges, and opportunities for growth. 
• A “Review of the Present THC Beverage Market,” authored by Tyler Klimas, principal/founder of Leaf Street Strategies, explores current consumer trends and the rapid growth and complex regulatory and policy considerations at play with hemp-derived THC beverages. 

The inaugural CPI Symposium was presented in collaboration with Strategies 64, a national firm specializing in cannabis policy development. In addition to the reports, the event featured panel discussions with experts from throughout the nation on topics including the future of cannabis hospitality, hemp and marijuana policy trends, impacts of interstate commerce, and more. The symposium coincided with MJBizCon, the nation’s largest cannabis conference, which was hosted in Las Vegas. 

“This symposium reflects the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of cannabis regulation,” said Jordan Wellington of Strategies 64. “Bringing together diverse voices ensures we address challenges with innovative and inclusive solutions.”

The CPI at UNLV was established in 2023 and is dedicated to the development and advancement of cannabis research, policy, and education. The CPI is also committed to communicating its efforts in cannabis policy research and education as they continue to unfold. Visit the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV online to learn more and to view the latest research, news, and announcements.