A new 3,300-square-foot medical marijuana dispensary, Mynt, prepares to open on February 17 at 132 E. Second St. in downtown Reno, steps from Greater Nevada Field and amid pawn shops, cheap steakhouses, and casinos. Local business owners position the outlet to serve both Nevada residents and out-of-state patients in a tourist hub, capitalizing on the state's rare allowance for interstate medical sales. This arrival signals broader revitalization efforts in a once-blighted stretch of the city.
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 Reno, the Truckee River, both major hospitals, and hotels where medical marijuana patients often stay. Nevada stands among a handful of states permitting sales to non-residents with valid medical authorization, a policy that elevates Northern Nevada's roughly dozen dispensaries as destinations for travelers beyond local clientele.
Team Draws from Local Cannabis Expertise
Mynt represents the latest project from Kynd Cannabis Co., led by Mark Pitchford, Joanna O'Neal, physician Sean Devlin, and Dunseath, who also runs retailer Reno Envy. Kynd handles marijuana cultivation and extraction in Reno. Additional stakes come from Strainz, a cannabis brand by Hugh and Chris Hempel, and Prestige Worldwide, a permitting and lobbying firm involving Clint Cates, Kiera Sears, and attorney Joey Gilbert. The former 2006 office space, abandoned after the recession, now features Nevada-themed interiors with stone mosaics, oak slab counters, and planned vintage downtown photos.
Revitalization Amid Security and Regulatory Steps
Owners view the opening as a catalyst for East Second Street, a rundown area with vacant buildings, vagrants, and neighbors like a Vietnamese restaurant and the Cal-Neva club. Mynt installs dozens of security cameras inside and out to address local challenges. While medical sales launch soon, recreational retail awaits Nevada Department of Taxation regulations, with licensing applications possibly starting late spring or early summer. Voters approved Question 2 last November, legalizing possession of up to one ounce of recreational marijuana or an eighth-ounce of concentrate for adults, and 2.5 ounces for medical cardholders.
Nevada's Evolving Cannabis Landscape
The dispensary joins a shifting policy environment where medical marijuana has operated since 2017, now augmented by recreational access. This dual-market setup draws medical tourists to Reno's vibrant core, outside Lake Tahoe's draw, while owners balance security, aesthetics, and community renewal. As regulations solidify, Mynt positions downtown Reno as a nexus for cannabis amid gaming and bargain draws, potentially spurring economic refresh in overlooked blocks.
