Nye County denies county cannabis license for Pahrump grow after neighbors cite persistent odor and health complaints

The Nye County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a county special use permit and county cannabis license for a cultivation site along South Oak Ridge after residents described repeated, intrusive odors, light and noise impacts and persistent neighborhood nuisance conditions.

Neighbors who live within a mile described episodes when the smell was “like a skunk blew up in my backyard,” said Joanie Hawley, who told the board she could smell the facility two to three miles away on some days. Multiple speakers presented a nine‑month diary and test results they said showed residues and repeated venting events at night. Several residents said the odorous emissions had caused headaches, sinus issues and inability to use outdoor space.

County staff and the applicant both described procedural irregularities that complicated the review. Planning and code‑compliance staff told the board the facility’s county license had lapsed; the operator said the lapse was an oversight and that they had worked with staff and the state cannabis compliance board to remain in compliance and to resume licensing activity. Counsel for the applicant said the operator had a state‑approved filtration system and had invited compliance staff to inspect.

Commissioners stressed the difference between state and local authority: Nye County cannot override state cannabis licensing but may withhold or deny local permits and county licenses based on nuisance, code compliance or zoning concerns. Multiple commissioners voiced concern that repeated resident complaints and documented violations undermined the county’s ability to protect neighborhood public health and quality of life.

Outcome: The board denied the county special use permit and county cannabis license (5–0). Staff and code compliance were directed to proceed with next steps laid out in county code, including evaluating whether enforcement, abatement or assessment actions are required.

What residents said: “The smell is horrendous. Day and night, some days worse than others,” said resident Paul Ostranger, who lives across the street. Several neighbors asked for additional monitoring and a show‑cause hearing and asked the board to consider revocation if violations continued.