Cannabis amnesty boxes set up in Las Vegas airport

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Tourists and typical travelers alike can now safely dispose of their cannabis products before catching a plane out of Las Vegas, thanks to these new amnesty boxes.

Ten green, metal containers dubbed “amnesty boxes” have been set up at the McCarran International Aiport in Las Vegas in order to prevent federal transport agents from finding cannabis on passengers during security screenings. While cannabis for social use is legal in the state of Nevada, it remains federally illegal, hence the security measures.

The boxes follow a county-wide ban on cannabis possession and advertising at the airport.

“The amnesty boxes are offered as a way to help people comply with this ordinance,” airport spokeswoman Christine Crews told the Cannabis in an email.

The containers were installed last week, and are designed so cannabis and prescription drugs can only be dropped in, not taken out.

These boxes aren’t unique to Las Vegas. At least two airports in Colorado, where cannabis for social use is also legal, offer similar amnesty boxes for travelers. However, the boxes at the Las Vegas airport are likely to get more attention as the airport saw 48.5 million passengers in 2017.

Transportation Security Administration workers typically hand over cannabis cases to local law enforcement. Las Vegas police Officer Aden Ocampo-Gomez told the Cannabist the department has not issued any citations regarding the airport’s ban on possession and advertising.

The airport plans to install a total of 20 boxes, but more could be in the works. The containers will be disposed of by contractors rather than police officers.