A new 3,300-square-foot medical marijuana dispensary, Mynt, prepares to launch on February 17 at 132 E. Second St., steps from Greater Nevada Field in downtown Reno. Local business owners position it amid pawn shops, cheap steaks, and blackjack tables to serve both residents and tourists in a prime tourist corridor outside Lake Tahoe. This arrival underscores Nevada's distinctive allowance for out-of-state medical marijuana patients, one of just a handful of states with such provisions.
Strategic Location Targets Patients and Visitors
Co-owner Scott Dunseath emphasizes patient access as the driving force behind the site selection. The dispensary sits near downtown amenities, the Truckee River, and both major hospitals, while also reaching hotels where out-of-town medical marijuana patients often stay. Northern Nevada's nearly dozen dispensaries gain a competitive edge from Nevada's policy, which extends services beyond state borders—a rarity nationwide that draws visitors seeking legal relief.
Backed by Local Cannabis Network with Nevada Flair
Mynt represents the latest project from Kynd Cannabis Co., led by Mark Pitchford, Joanna O'Neal, physician Dr. Sean Devlin, and Dunseath, who also runs retailer Reno Envy. Kynd handles cultivation and extraction in Reno, with partial ownership from Strainz cannabis brand by Hugh and Chris Hempel, plus Prestige Worldwide, a firm specializing in permitting, licensing, and lobbying run by Clint Cates, Kiera Sears, and attorney Joey Gilbert. Inside the former 2006 office space, abandoned after the recession, stone mosaics weave through rooms, oak slabs form counters, and vintage downtown Reno photos will adorn walls, evoking local heritage.
Revitalizing a Blighted Stretch Amid Security Concerns
The owners aim to rejuvenate East Second Street, a rundown area dotted with vacant buildings, vagrants, and businesses like a Vietnamese restaurant and the Cal-Neva club. Exterior crews apply stucco under plastic wrap, while dozens of security cameras guard against local risks. This effort aligns with broader urban renewal patterns in tourist-heavy zones, where cannabis outlets often anchor redevelopment by drawing steady foot traffic.
Navigating Regulations Toward Recreational Sales
Medical sales start soon, but retail marijuana awaits Nevada Department of Taxation regulations following November's Question 2 approval. That ballot measure legalized possession of up to one ounce of recreational marijuana or an eighth-ounce of concentrate for adults, with medical cardholders permitted 2.5 ounces. Owners plan to pursue a retail license as applications open, potentially in late spring or early summer, positioning Mynt to capitalize on the state's expanding market.
