In determining whether to issue a medical marijuana establishment registration certificate pursuant to NRS 453A.322, the Department shall, in addition to the factors set forth in that section, consider the following criteria of merit:

1. The total financial resources of the applicant, both liquid and illiquid;

2. The previous experience of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical marijuana establishment at operating other businesses or nonprofit organizations;

3. The educational achievements of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical marijuana establishment;

4. Any demonstrated knowledge or expertise on the part of the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical marijuana establishment with respect to the compassionate use of marijuana to treat medical conditions;

5. Whether the proposed location of the proposed medical marijuana establishment would be convenient to serve the needs of persons who are authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana;

6. The likely impact of the proposed medical marijuana establishment on the community in which it is proposed to be located;

7. The adequacy of the size of the proposed medical marijuana establishment to serve the needs of persons who are authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana;

8. Whether the applicant has an integrated plan for the care, quality and safekeeping of medical marijuana from seed to sale;

9. The amount of taxes paid to, or other beneficial financial contributions made to, the State of Nevada or its political subdivisions by the applicant or the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical marijuana establishment;

10. The diversity on the basis of race, ethnicity or gender of the applicant or the persons who are proposed to be owners, officers or board members of the proposed medical marijuana establishment; and

11. Any other criteria of merit that the Department determines to be relevant.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 3706; A 2017, 3694, 3750; R 2019, 3896, effective July 1, 2020)