1. Any person who the Board determines is qualified to receive a license or registration card under the provisions of this chapter, having due consideration for the proper protection of the health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State of Nevada and the declared policy of this State, may be issued a license or registration card. The burden of proving an applicant’s qualification to receive any license or registration card under this chapter is on the applicant.

2. When determining whether to approve an application to receive a license or registration card, the Board may consider whether the applicant is:

(a) A person of good character, honesty and integrity;

(b) A person whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this State or to the effective regulation and control of cannabis, or create or enhance the dangers of unsuitable, unfair or illegal practices, methods and activities in the conduct of cannabis-related activities or in the carrying on of the business and financial arrangements incidental thereto; and

(c) In all other respects qualified to be issued a license or registration card consistently with the declared policy of the State.

3. An application to receive a license or registration card constitutes a request for a determination of the applicant’s general character, integrity and ability to participate or engage in, or be associated with a cannabis establishment. Any written or oral statement made in the course of an official proceeding of the Board by any member thereof or any witness testifying under oath which is relevant to the purpose of the proceeding is absolutely privileged and does not impose liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any civil action.

4. The Board may, by regulation establish such other qualifications for a license or registration card as it may, in its discretion, deem to be in the public interest and consistent with the declared policy of the State.

5. Any person granted a license or registration card by the Board must continue to meet the applicable standards and qualifications set forth in this section and any other qualifications established by the Board by regulation. The failure to continue to meet such standards and qualifications constitutes grounds for disciplinary action.

6. The Board shall, to the greatest extent practicable, ensure that persons who have been adversely affected by cannabis prohibition have equal opportunity to obtain licenses and registration cards and to participate in the cannabis industry in this State.

(Added to NRS by 2019, 3802, effective July 1, 2020)