Now that we’re navigating many new social situations, here are some questions you should ask yourself when going out.
The majority of people who complied with social distancing guidelines for the past year have already been vaccinated. These people — immunocompromised, above a certain age group, or mindful of the government guidelines — may be having a hard time now that their friends want to hang out and the world is going back to normal. What are the rules now?
It’s clear that fully vaccinated people can basically do whatever they want as long as it’s with other vaccinated people. Still, for some, the prospect of dining indoors or going to an indoor space without wearing a mask, may feel uncomfortable. That’s okay.
As we navigate this new stage, it’s important to be communicative and to explain to others what you’re going through. This will save you some awkwardness and give you some peace of mind. Here are some questions you should ask yourself next time you plan on hanging out with others:
Should you hang out inside or outside?
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While indoor dining and seating is reopening, some people are not ready to do that just yet. Luckily, it’s the summer, so it’s the best time for outdoor seating. After a year of these conditions, restaurants have adapted and have managed to design a good experience for everyone involved, one that feels safer and more intuitive than it did a year ago. Before you meet up with someone, talk about your options and be clear regarding your stance.
While vaccinated people are safe, some may not feel ready for hugs and may be second guessing themselves when approaching others. Make sure to ask before you hug someone or to understand if someone doesn’t want to hug you right away. We’re only starting to see the trauma of living under COVID-19 conditions, so it’s important to be patient and understanding.
Dating is probably the toughest social activity to be doing right now, and there are no easy answers. Still, asking someone if they’ve been vaccinated is a valid question, one that’s become increasingly more common and less awkward. If it’s something that’s bothering you, you should ask it. The risk of transmitting COVID-19 through kissing when both people have been vaccinated is minimal, but you still shouldn’t do it if you’re not feeling up to it.
If you’re done visiting retailers and are hoping to use online sources to fill the void, you might be better off learning to grow your own.
One of the biggest stories to hit last week was news of Amazon’s newly adopted drug policy stating that it would no longer test employees for marijuana. Every media outlet known to man had something to say about it. But the basic message contained in them all was that the company’s willingness to support legalization and eliminate pot testing might be a sign of higher times. Perhaps the nation was making real progress on this issue and would soon be prohibition free.
One cannabis news outlet even posted an article branded with a headline that was borderline click-bait, predicting that weed sales through the online retailer was on the horizon. The publication came right out and said, “Yes, Amazon will sell weed,” seemingly trying to pull one over on the readers by giving them hope that they might soon have the luxury of ordering bud in the same way they do with things from books to protein powder. The only caveat to the future of Amazon’s speculative marijuana marketplace, according to the article? Well, let’s just say it’s a big one.
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Cannabis advocates believe all that is standing in the way of Amazon becoming one of the largest pot dealers in the country is federal marijuana prohibition. That once weed is removed from the Controlled Substances Act, of course Amazon is going to get in on the mix just like everyone else. Why in the heck wouldn’t they? After all, alcohol is legal, and the company recently nabbed a piece of that action. It makes sense that the next logical move would be cannabis. Right?
Although it is conceivable that Bezos and crew will attempt to capitalize on marijuana to some degree once it is legal nationwide, Amazon’s weed distribution center is not going to flourish right away. The company is sure to encounter a slew of challenges if it decides to move on pot products.
Even if changes come to federal law, some states will opt to maintain pot prohibition. Furthermore, the company’s entry into alcohol — a totally legal substance — is far from being anything to write home about. Search the site to buy “alcohol,” “beer,” “wine,” “spirits,” and you’ll inevitably end up running to your neighborhood liquor store instead. The selection is limited, and it’s primarily full of non-alcoholic choices and brew supplies. Amazon might sell booze, but just barely.
Furthermore, despite the legality of booze at the federal level, some states still don’t allow alcohol to be delivered. Right now, Alabama, Utah, Kentucky, and Mississippi do not permit alcohol delivery of any kind. As for the states that do, the regulations are different for each, making it next to impossible for an international company like Amazon to comply easily enough across the board to supply booze for all.
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Right now, only 12 cities (not states, cities) enjoy the convenience of Amazon’s alcohol sales. That’s just a drop in the bucket for a substance that has been legally accessible in this country for decades. Rest assured, Amazon will expand as local and state laws allow. But the company has a long way to go before mom-and-pop liquor stores have anything to worry about.
A fully legal national pot market is destined to turn up these regulatory snags and probably even more.
Standing in the way of Amazon’s potential weed business is Congress. Regardless of the unbridled optimism of most cannabis advocates, federal lawmakers are still a long way from legalizing marijuana nationwide. Although Senate Democrats are planning to push a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill later this year, the wonky dynamic in the upper chamber — the filibuster, Mitch McConnell, pot-hating Democrats — could and probably will prevent legal weed from going the distance.
In fact, even with marijuana reform having more support than ever on Capitol Hill, there’s a good chance that federal legalization will not take shape for several more years. There just isn’t enough bipartisan consensus in the nation’s capital to further this issue all the way. Not even President Biden agrees with the Senate’s legalization plan.
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Don’t expect to buy legal weed from Amazon anytime soon. If that development does eventually come to pass, much like its alcohol business, it’s going to take time to mature beyond a limited reach. There’s no doubt about it, cannabis dispensaries will continue to be the go-to legal source for marijuana for many years to come. But if you’re done visiting retailers and are hoping to use online sources to fill the void, you might be better off learning to grow your own.
Amazon might not sell weed or seeds, but it does have a variety of books on cannabis cultivation. We guess they have to start somewhere.
To some, this latest development on recreational marijuana has been a long time coming as residents of the state have always supported the adult use of cannabis.
Montana is about to decriminalize the adult use of cannabis. The state has had a very stable medical marijuana program for a while now. And with this new development, the state’s revenue department seems prepared to take over the medical marijuana scheme to develop an efficient adult-use industry as stated in House Bill 701.
Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 701 on May 18, following the legislature’s approval last month.
The lead up to this development
Montana has legalized the use of medical marijuana since 2004. To some, this latest development on recreational marijuana has been a long time coming as residents of the state have always supported the adult use of cannabis.
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The 2020 elections had cannabis reform ballot initiatives in Montana. Residents of the states came out to show their support for the initiative, and the measure got over 50% support. This made Montana one of only five states in the U.S. to adopt a cannabis reform initiative during the 2020 elections.
This approved measure, the I-190 ballot initiative, made it legal for anyone above the age of 21 in the state to possess and use marijuana for recreational purposes.
A 20% tax was imposed on all cannabis sales in Montana, and it will later be directed to developing a substance abuse prevention program in the state. Another aspect of the initiative is that it expunges several marijuana-related crimes, and it allows convicted inmates to appeal their sentences.
Currently…
Adults in the state can only possess a maximum amount of one ounce of weed for personal adult use. Since the initiatives were passed in November and later approved in early 2021, the one way to procure cannabis for recreational purposes was to plant. Some have mulled over bringing these products in from other states that have authorized their use, but it would be an offense under federal law. You can only grow your plants. Residents are permitted to grow, at most, four marijuana plant stands.
HB 701
Existing medical marijuana dispensaries are about to make a lot of money from now till the end of the year. As the bill authorizes only these existing stores to sell recreational drugs to the public until the official sales of adult-use cannabis begin in 2022. They have an 18-month head start. Therefore, newly licensed stores will begin their sales in the third quarter of 2023. This would also give the state’s revenue department enough time to lay down regulations.
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Under this bill, the limit for cannabis plants that can be self-cultivated by residents has been reduced. The new bill states that a household can only cultivate four plants, and an individual is only permitted to grow two plants.
Residents that will be unable to grow their own products may have to wait till Jan 2022 when existing medical dispensaries would begin selling to residents that don’t have a medical marijuana card.
This bill also states that a fine of up to $100 can be issued to residents found transporting cannabis products under unsafe conditions. All transported products must be in their original packaging and placed either in the trunk or in the glove compartment. Public smokers will also be issued fines of up to $50, as the bill prohibits the smoking of pot in public spaces. Although, the state promises to single out places or establishments that will be licensed for the consumption of cannabis.
HB 701 only allows marijuana plants with a THC content of no more than 35%. Edibles and capsules can contain at most 100 milligrams of THC per capsule. The total THC content in a package of capsules or edibles must not exceed 800 milligrams.
The bill touches every aspect involved in the sales of recreational cannabis, from starting a new regulatory body to stating the amount of THC content that would be permissible. Implementing this law would take time, and a lot of work would have to be done to ensure the law is implemented successfully.
What is expected in the next months?
The I-190 has already set down a system on how the revenues from legal cannabis can be handled. Just a few tweaks here and there will ensure the scheme is rigid enough to handle the huge revenues that would be pouring in as soon as sales begin.
The Department of Revenue has been tasked with the objective of regulating the newly permitted cannabis enterprises in the state. The department will issue licenses for cultivation, manufacture, sale, laboratory testing, and also transportation of cannabis products in the state.
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For now, the legislature plans to allocate these funds to the cost of veterans services, a park, and maintenance of the trails. There have been talks that the funds might also cover the acquisition of conservation easements in Montana.
These plans may be changed, as sessions are still being held to discuss other strategies the finds can be saved or spent.
There are also fears that some residents may be pushed to the black market because of the 20 percent imposed sales tax. Due to this, some advocates have called that the percentage of tax be reduced.
Governor Gianforte in a statement showed his dedication to combating the drug epidemic in the state. His office promises to fund several programs for substance abuse prevention treatment in Montana communities. These funds will also give a chance to those Montanans who wish to quit using and get sober. Most of these programs will be non-profit.
The Governor also emphasized that House Bill 701 is the best way to implement the will of Montanans in a responsible and regulated way.
Last Words
It is the beginning of a new dawn in Montana. Although this is still the early stages and it’s still unclear if any of the counties will be willing to opt-out of these new reforms, the Department of Revenue is getting prepared to begin the management of all marijuana programs in the state, as well as integrate some workers from the department of public health and human services for the smooth running of operations.
Whichever way this unfolds, Montana is about to make a ton of money.
Vinegar and cranberry are some of the most mentioned DIY drug test solutions. But are they effective or simply an urban myth?
The internet is great for getting information and advice on a lot of things. Flushing drugs out of your system is not one of them.
Advice on how to pass drug tests range from time-consuming to dangerous practices that involve ingesting products that help your body get rid of lingering traces of THC. For the most part, they’re not accurate. Do innocent suggestions like consuming vinegar or cranberry actually help in speeding up the metabolization of THC?
Depending on the test you’re taking, there’s a higher difficulty level. Saliva tests are the simplest ones, measuring THC from the past week. Urine tests can measure any THC in your system over the past 30-45 days. Blood tests measure 45 to 60 days. Lastly, hair follicle tests are capable of spotting THC up to 120 days. As you can see, there’s a wide variety of tests and time frames to take into account.
Cranberry juice is a diuretic, affecting your bladder and urine. This is the reason why they’ve become popular fixtures in detox processes. While the increased visits to the bathroom might speed up the elimination process of THC, it’s very unlikely. THC is mostly stored in your fat cells, meaning that there’s higher odds of burning it off by working out, which might only work with time.
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When it comes to vinegar, the situation is pretty similar to drinking cranberry. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, thus making you empty out your bladder more often. According to wellness aficionados, it’s also supposed to improve your metabolism, speeding up the elimination process of THC. But none of this information is scientifically sound. It does make you pee more, so go for it if that’s your thing.
At home solutions for drug tests are a toss up. There’s no evidence that they work and it all truly depends on the type of test you’re taking. Drug tests should be taken seriously. If you have the time to get rid of the THC in your body naturally, go for it. It’s the safest and most efficient way of passing a test and eliminating the cannabis elements from your system.
Washington State will be handing out free joints in participating cannabis retailers for adults getting a COVID-19 shot.
In an effort to encourage vaccinations and speed the process up, Washington State has approved a “Joints for Jabs” policy, giving adults the chance to get a free joint with their COVID-19 shot.
The joint must be claimed at the time of vaccination. The “Joints for Jabs” policy will stay in place until July 12, with retailers being able to advertise if they’re participating in the promotion.
According to the LCB, cannabis retailers had been asking for permission to engage in promotions to support state vaccinations.
“The LCB has provided dozens of allowances for alcohol and cannabis licensees throughout the COVID pandemic in an effort to support businesses during the restriction period and to support the vaccine effort,” explains a press release. “Most recently, it to be provided an allowance for a beer, wine or cocktail to be provided at no cost for those vaccinated by June 30.”
Only people 21 or older are eligible for this promotion, and only pre-rolls are being handed out for free. Edibles, bongs, and other ways of consuming marijuana aren’t included in the deal.
Nearly half of the people in Washington State have been vaccinated, but, like other states, governments are designing creative ways to get reticent people involved in the vaccination process.
States that are trying to get people lured to get their COVID-19 shot include Arizona, New York, Ohio, and more. Prizes are varied, including free beers, wine, cocktails, doughnuts from Krispy Kreme and lottery prizes. The state of West Virginia is providing participants with scholarship opportunities, trucks and even hunting pistols and rifles.
What we can gather from this report, and other consumer reports like this one, is that Americans are past ready for cannabis legalization, especially after the stress of 2020.
The cannabis industry’s proof was in 2020’s revenue, but a new report from consumer data firm Brightfield shows consumer behavior to match exactly what the cannabis industry already knew: people consumed more cannabis during the pandemic than they were before.
Gen Z makes up a large part of new consumers
A clear factor is stress and anxiety, and the Brightfield report confirms that. New recreational cannabis consumers made up 6% of all consumers in 2020, with 22% being Gen Z. If you thought Generation Z wasn’t old enough to consume cannabis, so did we (kidding), but many of them are now 21 which means legal access to cannabis if they live somewhere where it’s legal.
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Consumers seeking relaxation, sleep, and emotional relief from cannabis
New recreational customers saw the heaviest consumption, specifically in Q4 2020, with 22% of new consumers reporting they utilized cannabis multiple times a day. This declined a little bit in Q1 2021, but nonetheless, new cannabis consumers are entering the market at a faster rate than pre-pandemic. The top three desired cannabis product effects are relaxation, sleep, and emotional relief. Over half, 54%, of new recreational consumers reported utilizing cannabis for anxiety, while a whopping 74% of consumers sought cannabis for relaxation.
Women are newly consuming cannabis in droves
Also, 59% of new consumers are women, further diversifying the cannabis marketplace. Female consumers made up 51% of cannabis consumers in Q1 2021. Women consumers steadily rose in 2020, and they tend to be younger and heavier consumers than men, with 21% of female consumers reporting daily consumption. The Brightfield Report shows women and men approach cannabis consumption differently, with women focusing more on the effects of cannabis and how it benefits their mental and physical health.
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Women use more product types than men do, especially gummies (48% of female consumers utilize gummies, as opposed to 34% of men), but women select specific times of consumption.
The report says 80% of women consume cannabis right before going to bed, 59% of women say before taking care of home duties, and 50% save cannabis consumption for date night with their partner. This gender balance varies by state. In Michigan, 59% of cannabis consumers are women. In California, the number goes down to 43%.
How brands can take advantage of the new demographics
All of this means good news for cannabis businesses. The key is approaching it well. The data tells us 2020 brought a slew of new and heavy consumers to the cannabis market, with a large majority of those new consumers being women. The report further says women favor products like gummies, topicals (17% of female consumers), vape cartridges (40% of women consumers), and flower (57% of female consumers). Cannabis companies can take advantage of these new consumers and develop a brand strategy that appeals to them.
More Americans consume cannabis than plant-based meats
More Americans reported consuming cannabis in the past three months than hard seltzer, soy milk, and plant-based meat. According to the Brightfield report, 10% of Americans reported consuming cannabis in the past three months, with 13% of total consumers being Millenials — the most likely generation to consume cannabis. Hard seltzer, soy milk, and plant-based meat were used by 7%, 6%, and 8% of Americans, respectively. Americans still consumed more granola bars and sports drinks in 2020 than cannabis though. The report shows 13% of Americans consumed granola bars in the past three months and 15% of Americans consumed sports drinks.
Photo by LikeMeat via Unsplash
Key takeaways
What we can gather from this report, and other consumer reports like this one, is that Americans are past ready for cannabis legalization, especially after the stress 2020 brought.
All different kinds of people are entering the cannabis market, both as businesses and consumers, so those brands who identify and aim to understand their target audience will do well as American (and global) cannabis policy reforms over time.
Many consumers believe now that Joe Biden is the president, April 20, 2021 will be the last illegal 4/20. Currently, there’s not a bill in circulation to legalize cannabis at the federal level, but many are pushing and hoping for it under the new blue administration.
Lighters are important for any type of smoker, but sometimes it’s nice to have other options.
A lighter is a necessity for all kinds of cannabis smokers. Whether you’ve invested in a nice Zippo lighter or you’re constantly buying BICs from your nearest gas station, there’s no getting high without them — at least if you’re a bong or joint person. But, there are other ways to light up, removing butane from the equation and managing a more organic way to get high. Here are alternatives to using a butane lighter when you smoke.
There’s no best way to light a joint, but at least there’s plenty of options at your disposal. From the organic to DIY hacks that can rescue a faltering smoke session.
Hemp wicks are lengths of hemp twine that have been dipped in beeswax and can be used to light your joints and bowls. They’re slow burning and easy to handle, meaning that you won’t burn your fingers off simply because you have no experience wielding them. Hemp wicks have no butane, and converts believe it results in a better-tasting experience.
Flame free lighters
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Pixabay
Flame-free lighters don’t require butane and are windproof, which is one of the most amazing things that can happen to someone. No more huddling in the corner to light a joint on the street. Depending on the maker of the lighter, these products produce flame through a tiny spark or through high levels of heat that are capable of lighting a joint upon contact. They’re pretty cool even if there’s a learning curve to how you use them.
While not every piece of glass will work, a magnifying glass or camera lens should be able to light a joint if you know what you’re doing or had a knack for chemistry experiments when you were little. Hold a glass over your joint or bowl at an angle in broad daylight and wait for the magic to happen. Make sure the reflection is pointing at the weed or at the tip of the joint in order to avoid burning your table or whatever is underneath.
A dry spaghetti noodle or a toothpick
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A more reliable way to light a joint when you can’t find a lighter would be to use a dry spaghetti noodle or a toothpick and place it over the stove. This method removes all of the butane from the equation, transforming your noodle/toothpick into a temporary match. Just don’t burn yourself or set something on fire by accident.
Because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, using personal protection in the form of firearms really isn’t an option.
Since cash-seeking criminals across the United States keep trying to rob cannabis dispensaries with brute force, budtenders are now reportedly packing heat to show them what’s what if they try any funny business in their neck of the woods.
One dispensary worker in Oklahoma recently shot and killed an armed robber. These budtenders aren’t messing around. They believe that if someone walks into their dispensary flashing a piece, “you have every right to shoot them dead.”
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Although there’s been a lot of media coverage over the past few weeks about armed robberies in Oklahoma and Oregon, this crime is a problem in every state where weed has gone legal. It’s not that marijuana dispensaries attract this kind of bad mojo. It’s just that they operate in a way that makes them a hard target. Although these businesses are legitimate in the eyes of the state, they are still working on a mostly cash basis. There could be unspeakable amounts of cash in these establishments on any given day, making them an excellent mark for desperate criminals.
Some cannabis advocates argue that the propensity for violence in pot dispensaries is why Congress should get behind the SAFE Banking Act. This bill, which the House has already approved, would allow banks to do business with the cannabis industry without fear of federal money laundering charges. Yet, it’s not like most financial institutions are avoiding the cannabis market altogether. This is mostly a myth, “From coast to coast, MRBs (marijuana related businesses) are banking with reputable institutions. This is not a crisis,” according to a report from Forbes.
However, there’s still lots of cash flowing regularly into dispensaries – making them a dangerous place to work. So, should budtenders be allowed to carry firearms to level the playing field? Many say yes, it’s a worker’s right to defend themselves. “It’s not a chance of if, but when, it’s going to happen,” said one of the owners of the dispensary Highest Choice. Others don’t believe guns are the answer. “I don’t need to talk about the gun, especially since my friend died from a gun,” said Jina Yoo, owner of Cured Green. “Guns are the most hateful things.”
Photo by Heath Korvola / Getty Images
Most Americans probably wouldn’t argue that cannabis employees should have the right to protect themselves against dangerous criminals. But because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, using personal protection in the form of firearms really isn’t an option. Budtenders in legal cannabis states who shoot armed stick-up men in self-defense can still face charges.
That’s what the dispensary worker from Oklahoma must worry about. “That employee could end up facing prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oklahoma,” reports the website Bearing Arms.
There’s a bill in Congress right now called the GRAM Act that aims to change that.
The proposal would offer some protections to cannabis users who defend themselves during a robbery. It would also safeguard gun owners who use marijuana in legal states. But until it passes, which is super unlikely, any cannabis industry employee who shoots an armed thief could be sent to prison for manslaughter or murder. It hardly seems right, but this is just one of the many bizarre grey areas that exist between state-legal cannabis markets and the federal government.
Of course, ending marijuana prohibition nationwide and making it part of legitimate commerce, just like alcohol and tobacco, would also give cannabis industry workers more rights when it comes to defending themselves against armed robbers. For now, though, budtenders fighting to stay alive in the midst of a holdup will almost certainly feel the brunt of the heat once the gun smoke clears.
Main character syndrome is a term growing more and more popular. Here’s what it means and how to spot it in yourself.
The majority of us go through life believing we’re the protagonist. Like when you listen to music and dramatically look out the window. There’s reason to believe that social media has made this problem into a more serious one — one that affects your health and the people that surround you.
Main character syndrome isn’t a medical condition, but it is a condition that is being discussed by medical professionals. It refers to a wide range of behaviors, principally when someone presents themselves as the lead of their own life or someone else’s. Often, this life is presented through social medial.
Behaviors of this kind are nothing new, but now that social media exists, they are much more common. In an interview with Newsweek, Dr. Michael G. Wetter called main character syndrome the “inevitable consequence of the natural human desire to be recognized and validated merging with the rapidly evolving technology that allows for immediate and widespread self-promotion.”
Still, this all sounds pretty difficult to diagnose. How do you know if you or someone in your life struggles with this?
A healthy dose of main character syndrome shouldn’t be bad. It might help you appreciate the little moments in your life, like finding that a song speaks directly to you or thinking that your friendships and relationships are fulfilling and special. It grows into a problem when you think that these experiences make you unique and that other people don’t know what that’s like.
“Unhealthy narcissism is behaving as if others are minor characters in one’s own drama rather than main characters in their own intersecting dramas,” professor Michael Karson of the University of Denver told Newsweek. “My view is that it is healthy to see oneself as the main character of one’s own life, and it is also healthy to realize that one is not the main character of all humanity.”
So don’t stress if your Instagram or Twitter is solely about you. It is your account. In order to battle main character syndrome, try to remember that other people are as complicated as you are and that everyone is coping with their own problems, no matter how idyllic their lives look on social media.
A new bill allows adults 21 and older to purchase and consume adult-use cannabis products on-site at any licensed cannabis consumption lounge.
Nevada seemed like a sure bet before the pandemic for cannabis companies. A seemingly never-ending stream of tourists from states where cannabis isn’t legal or the legal product offerings were meager. Several companies made huge investments in the state, especially in Las Vegas, to capitalize on tourists happy to plunk down big bucks to sneak some products back home.
Of course, it isn’t legal to take cannabis products across state lines, but that doesn’t stop many tourists from taking the risk. The pandemic, of course, caused that market to crash as tourism dried up and the operations were left to depend on the business of residents only. Now it looks like the cannabis comeback is underway.
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Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (CSE: PLTH)(OTCQB: PLNHF) reported record sales in May of $11.2 million with gross margins above 50%. The company said that May represents the third consecutive month of record sales as Las Vegas and America return to normal. In a statement, Planet 13 said that hotels across the Las Vegas strip have reported having hotel rooms sold out for the foreseeable future and Planet 13 expects continued strong sales on the back of increased tourist traffic. In May, Planet 13 reported that its first-quarter revenue rose 41% to $23.8 over 2020 before the pandemic had really settled in and lockdowns began. So, there is a great deal of optimism about the second quarter.
“Tourism and business are looking up in Nevada and our operations are mirroring this trend by experiencing consistent, month-on-month growth. We are thrilled to share that the momentum gathered over the past few months is continuing, with yet another month of record sales in May. Planet 13 has built a successful retail cannabis brand that resonates with Americans. We remain confident about the continuation of this upward trend as Las Vegas reopens to its full potential as well as the upcoming opening of our Orange County SuperStore in July,” said Larry Scheffler, Co-CEO of Planet 13. The company is opening its California Super Store on June 24, which will feature electronic waves, a 16-foot octopus, an Instagrammable Planet 13 bus, and 50 registers.
Consumption Lounges
One of the biggest issues that Las Vegas had faced with cannabis sales was the lack of places for tourists to consume. Flower sales are always the biggest seller, but there was nowhere to smoke. Hotels often don’t allow smoking in rooms or on balconies. While cigarette smoking is allowed in some spaces, cannabis smoking isn’t. This caused the state to pass Assembly Bill 341 in early June that allows adults 21 and older to purchase and consume adult-use cannabis products on-site at any licensed “cannabis consumption lounge.”
According to NORML, “The measure establishes regulations for two distinct types cannabis consumption lounges. One group would be reserved for existing marijuana dispensary license holders who can then apply to operate an on-site cannabis consumption lounge. The other designation would be for new, independent businesses to apply for a license to operate an ‘independent cannabis consumption lounge’ which is not attached to or adjacent to an existing retailer. The bill also provides for reduced license application fees for qualifying social equity applicants. Local governments can enact policies restricting access to cannabis consumption lounges under this bill.”
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Prior to the legislation, only NuWu Cannabis in Vegas featured a tasting room within its 16,000 square foot marketplace. Since the dispensary is located on sovereign land owned by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, it is not subject to the same restrictions as the rest of the state. Instead, NuWu is self-regulated through the Las Vegas Paiute Cannabis Authority. As such, there are no Nevada marijuana taxes, no waiting rooms, and no reason not to open a consumption lounge. However, the location is north of the Fremont strip so consumers must travel about 15 minutes by car to get there.
Planet 13 said it has reserved an expansive dedicated space within the Las Vegas SuperStore for a consumption lounge which it will look to get built as soon as possible.
“We are thrilled that after the long wait, Nevada will finally be home to consumption lounges. We’ve long believed that tourists needed a safe, legal, and enjoyable place to consume cannabis and have been planning for a consumption lounge at the SuperStore since the bill was originally proposed two years ago,” said Bob Groesbeck Co-CEO of Planet 13. “Our SuperStore is one of the only dispensaries with the space on site and the proximity to the Las Vegas Strip to create a truly Vegas-style club. As with the rest of our dispensary, we look forward to setting the bar and showing the industry what is possible when your goal is to out Vegas, Vegas.”
