
Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV
The Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV (CPI) will position UNLV as a trusted source for cannabis policy and research guidance, education, and community engagement. Established in 2023, the CPI builds upon work already occurring at UNLV by supporting thoughtful policy discussions related to the most relevant and impactful questions in cannabis policy, law, economics, science, medicine, and business.
Mission Statement
The Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is dedicated to the development and advancement of cannabis research, policy, and education. Our mission is to provide leadership by fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding cannabis legalization while being mindful of the disparate impacts of past practices and the importance of social equity and justice going forward. The institute will engage with a range of stakeholders and community partners to develop effective approaches to cannabis policy, expand and coordinate educational opportunities, and support and promote medical and policy research. Through education and outreach efforts to lawmakers, industry leaders, and the public, the institute will be an invaluable resource for local, state, and national communities.
Research

Where Will Weed Win?

Nevada Cannabis Report: An Examination of the Policy Environment, Market Factors and Stakeholder Views

Overview of the 2024 Cannabis Economy

A Review of the Present THC Beverage Market

Cannabis Marketing: Challenges and the Path Forward
More reports available soon.
Meet the Director
Riana Durrett was appointed as director of the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute in August 2023. In addition, the Governor appointed her to serve as the first vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. Prior to her work with the Cannabis Compliance Board, Durrett served as the executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association, where she established the association as the primary resource on best practices in Nevada's cannabis industry -- developing the Nevada Dispensary Association into the primary regulatory and government affairs voice for Nevada's cannabis industry. In addition to her work at UNLV, Durrett currently serves on the Boards of the Nevada Taxpayer Association and the Nevada Conservation League.
Publications
- And the Two Shall Never Meet: A Comparison of Nevada’s Gaming and Cannabis Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Goals — Western Legal Journal, May 2024
- Wondering Where to Place Your Bets on Cannabis Rescheduling? — April 2024, Nevada Lawyer Magazine
Press
- Can Gaming And Cannabis Coexist In Nevada? — June 2025, Forbes
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The Business of Cannabis — June 2025, UNLV News Center
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Is the Local Weed Store the New Place to Hang Out? — June 2025, The New York Times
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Ganja and Gambling: America Wants Weed at Vegas Casinos — June 2025, Vice
- Why Las Vegas Casinos Won’t Gamble On Cannabis — June 2025, Forbes
- Consumption Lounge Closure in Vegas: Buzzkill for Cannabis Tourism, or Just a Setback? — June 2025, Travel Weekly
- Large Las Vegas Drug Bust Scratches the Surface of the Massive Illegal Market, Cannabis Expert Says — June 2025, Fox 5
- Sovereignty, Not Shortcuts: Debunking Myths About Tribal Economic Success — May 2025, MyCannabis.com
- Could Marijuana-Friendly Casinos Be Las Vegas' Next Big Jackpot? 70% of Americans Say 'You Bet' — May 2025, Benzinga
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70 Percent of Americans Support Allowing Marijuana Use at Casinos and Resorts, New Poll Shows — May 2025, Marijuana Moment
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A Decade After Marijuana Legalization, is it Time for Nevada Casinos to Revisit Hands-off Policy? — May 2025, The Nevada Independent
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Survey Shows Majority Are in Favor of Cannabis Lounges in Casinos — May 2025, Gambling News
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UNLV's Cannabis Policy Institute & International Gaming Institute to Host 2025 "Cannabis & Gaming" Panel — May 2025, Greenway Magazine
- 70% Surveyed Favor Casino Cannabis Lounges — May 2025, CDC Gaming
- Gaming, Cannabis Industry Show Interest in Collaboration at UNLV Panel — May 2025, Las Vegas Sun
- Casino Exec Supports Federal Reclassification of Cannabis to Allow Gaming and Weed to Mix — May 2025, Casino.org
- Las Vegas Casino Execs Push for Cannabis Partnerships to Boost Tourism — May 2025, Casino.com
- Las Vegas Gaming Executive Touts Need for Cannabis Partnerships at Casinos — May 2025, CDC Gaming
- How is the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe Keeping its Spot as a Cannabis Leader? — May 2025, KNPR State of Nevada
- Once Viewed as a Tourism Boon, Cannabis Lounges' Future in Nevada is Hazy — April 2025, The Nevada Independent
- Experts Urge Cannabis Rescheduling Amid Ongoing Market Challenges in Nevada + Need for More Research —April 2025, The Nevadan/El Nevadanse
- Nevada's Cannabis Industry is Positioned to Grow Should Federal Policy Shift — March 2025, Las Vegas Sun
- Report: OK, OR and CA Cannabis Companies Could Be Big Winners Under Federal Marijuana Legalization — March 2025, Green Market Report
- Nevada's Cannabis Economy in 2025 — March 2025, PBS
- Illegal Marijuana Sales Pose Challenges for Nevada's Legal Industry — March 2025, Fox 5 Las Vegas
- Presentation: Cannabis Policy Institute — February 2025, UNLV News Center
- Nevada Lawmakers Push for Solutions to Combat Illegal Marijuana Sales in State — February 2025, Las Vegas Sun
- Nevada's Titus Tapped to Serve as Co-chair of Congress' Cannabis Caucus — January 2025, 3 News
- Study: Las Vegas Casino Industry Missing Out on Cannabis Dollars — January 2025, Green Market Report
- Cannabis sales have reached more than $5B in Nevada. What's the state of the industry today? — January 2025, KNPR State of Nevada
- Can Legal Cannabis Deliver on Its Promise to Fund Education? — January 2025, City Cast Las Vegas
- Episode 97: Riana Durrett of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board on Responsible Cannabis Policymaking and the Inaugural Cannabis Policy Institute Symposium at UNLV — December 2024, Weed Wonks
- Riana Durrett, Vice Chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board – Interview Series — September 2024, MyCannabis.com
- Can Nevada Merge Gaming And Cannabis? Experts Discuss — August 2024, Benzinga
- Will Nevada cannabis, gaming industries converge? Don’t bet on it, experts say — August 2024, The Nevada Independent
- Can gaming, cannabis co-exist? Nevada policy experts and leaders explore options — August 2024, Fox 5 Las Vegas
- High Rollers: UNLV Panel Wants Casinos, Gaming Regulators to Get Real about Pot — August 2024, Casinos.com
- Las Vegas Assemblyman Planning Bill to Legalize Marijuana Deliveries to the Strip — August 2024, Casinos.com
- Panel explores future of cannabis use at Las Vegas casinos amid federal and state restrictions — August 2024, Las Vegas Sun
- Are casinos losing revenue by not allowing cannabis consumption? — August 2024, Las Vegas Review-Journal
- A ‘huge deal’: Nevada cannabis businesses, consumers may see lower costs — May 2024, Las Vegas Review-Journal
- What will marijuana reclassification mean financially for Nevada? — May 2024, 8 News Now
- Researcher: It’s Time for Casinos to Prepare for Federal Cannabis Policy Changes — May 2024, Casinos.org
- Nevada cannabis industry leaders cautiously optimistic about DEA’s rescheduling move — May 2024, Las Vegas Sun
- Senator Files Marijuana Expungements Bill That Schumer Has Discussed Including In Banking Reform Package — April 2024, Marijuana Moment
- Black market, hemp products biggest challenges to cannabis industry — March 2024, Las Vegas Review-Journal
- UNLV Panelists: Illegal cannabis sales are thriving in Las Vegas — March 2024, Las Vegas Sun
- UNLV group will study a budding local industry — January 2024, Travel Weekly
- UNLV Introducing Nevada's First Cannabis Policy Institute — December 2023, PBS
- At UNLV, A First-of-its-Kind Cannabis Policy Institute is Up and Running — November 2023, Las Vegas Sun
CPI Advisory Board Members
The CPI Advisory Board, with a wealth of expertise, consults with the Director and UNLV’s President to help ensure the CPI's impact and success.

Director of Research
Director of Research for the Cannabis Policy Institute, Marla Royne Stafford is a marketing, advertising and communications expert who has years of experience as a professor, department chair, and dean in the business discipline. She was previously the executive associate dean of academic affairs in UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. Dr. Stafford is an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Advertising (AAA); she has also been recognized by the AAAs with the Kim Rotzoll Award for Ethics and Social Responsibility (2024) and the Ivan Preston Award for Outstanding Contribution to Advertising Research (2016). Prior to academia, Dr. Stafford held positions with Tupperware Worldwide, Philip Crosby Associates and Cardinal Industries. She is a former columnist for Marijuana Ventures Magazine. She is interviewed by the media regularly and has been quoted in such outlets as the Wall Street Journal and NPR.org.