Two things happened today in Nevada that further indicate the state is getting serious about pot.

First, the Nevada Supreme Court amended the state rules of professional conduct for lawyers to allow lawyers to provide their clients with advice on Nevada’s medical marijuana laws. As far as we know, every state that has looked at this issue has held similarly (with a few exceptions, like Maine), which only makes sense. How is it that a criminal lawyer can represent murderers, rapists and con artists and yet cannabis business lawyers are not supposed to help their clients COMPLY with state law? Come on.

Second, and a bit more surprising, the Nevada Gaming Control Board told its license holders that they cannot participate in Nevada’s medical marijuana business unless and until the federal government legalizes it. There had long been rumors that such a decision would come down, but the longer it took for it to happen, the more people started to think that it would not. But it has.

In other Nevada cannabis news, the Clark County Commission will within about a month be deciding which of the 109 companies met its rigorous standards for operating medical marijuana businesses. Nevada law allows for 66 medical cannabis businesses and 40 are expected to open in Clark County.