Carson City, NV: Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has signed legislation (AB 107) into law allowing those with prior low-level marijuana convictions to be eligible to become foster parents.
In March, members of the Nevada Assembly voted 42 to zero in favor of the measure. Senate members approved the bill on May 23rd by a vote of 19 to 2.
The Governor signed the bill last Thursday. The measure took effect upon passage.
Nevada law previously disqualified anyone with a federal or state drug-related conviction from fostering children. The new law provides an exception for those with marijuana possession convictions, if the conviction did not occur within the preceding five years.
“Nevada’s longstanding foster care ban no longer aligned with public attitudes toward marijuana, nor did it align with the marijuana laws of Nevada or the surrounding states that regulate its use,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “As cannabis laws change, it is imperative that lawmakers continue to target and amend these ‘holdover’ policies so that consumers no longer face discrimination for behaviors that are state-legal.”
Nevada voters legalized adult-use marijuana possession and sales in 2016.