Cannabis tourism has matured from novelty to a measurable slice of the visitor economy, and Las Vegas has emerged as a bellwether. Nevada legalized adult-use sales in 2017 and later approved on-site consumption lounges through AB341, giving regulators a framework to add hospitality to retail. In fiscal year 2024, taxable cannabis sales totaled about $829 million—evidence of a sizable market even as sales normalize from pandemic peaks.
Las Vegas’s tourism engine amplifies that demand. The destination welcomed roughly 41.7 million visitors in 2024 and supported more than 150,000 hotel rooms with an average occupancy of 83.6 percent—scale that few U.S. cities can match. Harry Reid International Airport also set a passenger record with 58.4 million travelers in 2024, making access easy for domestic and international visitors who fold dispensary stops into broader entertainment itineraries. Together, those fundamentals make Las Vegas a high-frequency test bed for cannabis retail and hospitality concepts.
Product access and retail theater also set the city apart. A number of dispensaries operate around the clock, catering to late-night and early-morning itineraries; Planet 13, just off the Strip, advertises 24/7 hours and anchors what it markets as the nation’s largest dispensary, now paired with the “Dazed!” on-site consumption lounge. For visitors, the combination of wide product selection, frequent promotions, and immersive store design matches expectations shaped by the city’s attractions economy. Pre-order, curbside pickup, and delivery options further reduce friction for time-constrained travelers, particularly around major conventions and busy sporting weekends.
Regulation remains a differentiator—and a constraint. The Cannabis Compliance Board maintains clear guidance on where cannabis can be consumed: private property or a licensed consumption lounge, not public places or vehicles. After the first state-licensed lounges opened in 2024, the rollout has proceeded cautiously; Thrive’s Smoke & Mirrors debuted in early 2024 but closed in 2025, leaving Planet 13’s Dazed! and the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe’s Sky High Lounge as the main legal options for tourists seeking a sanctioned place to consume. That clarity both protects visitors and channels demand into compliant venues. Violations for public use are typically treated as misdemeanors with fines up to $600, which motivates visitors to seek lawful spaces rather than risk consumption on the street.
Business tourism compounds the draw. MJBizCon—the industry’s largest B2B gathering—returns annually to the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing about 30,000 attendees and more than 1,400 exhibitors in 2024. Concentrating product launches, equipment showcases, and networking into one week generates spillover across retail and nightlife, reinforcing Las Vegas as a showcase for new brands and experiences.
Looking ahead, growth will likely be paced by hospitality integration rather than pure store count. State data show taxable retail revenues eased to $829 million in FY24, and UNLV analysts observe that revenue per retailer has declined as outlets rise—typical of a maturing market. Clark County’s concentration—more than 300 active licenses across ownership types—supports deep product variety within a compact footprint. Even so, the broader visitor base and airlift remain strong. If operators refine lounge programming, partner with resorts on compliant itineraries, and leverage conventions to showcase education-forward experiences, Las Vegas should remain among the most attractive cannabis destinations in North America.
