Nevada’s marijuana regulators approved the first cannabis consumption lounge in the state, which will be open to adult customers later this month.
Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, a Las Vegas-based cannabis marketplace, announced Thursday that its “Smoke and Mirrors’ facility had received approval to open. It will now be able to offer a curated range of marijuana products and THC-infused non-alcoholic beverages.
Nevada Cannabis Control Board granted a first batch of consumption lounges licenses in June after having given preliminary approval to forty prospective hospitality businesses. Thrive was among the three businesses that received that approval in the past year. This allowed it to open the lounge pending a final check, which appears to be complete.
Mitch Britten said, “We have marked a number of ‘firsts,’ in Nevada, and we are honored to be yet again at the forefront Nevada’s Cannabis industry by officially launching Nevada’s first regulated Cannabis Lounge,” in a release. With ‘Smoke and Mirrors’, we’ve created a destination that allows cannabis enthusiasts to experience a wide range of premium products and services in an engaging environment.
The lounge was designed to “transition seamlessly from the dispensary’s storefront to the area for social consumption”. The lounge will not only serve cannabis products and infused beverages, but also artists, musicians, and product launches.
Tyler Klimas, the former executive director of CCB between 2020 and late 2023, stated in a podcast released last month that cannabis lounge development is the “next step” for the industry.
The law was signed by the former Governor Steve Sisolak (D) in 2021. It was passed under Assemblyman Steve Yeager’s (D) legislation. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, will be the next governor in 2021. He also allows businesses to combine cannabis with yoga, offer infused foods, provide THC-assisted massage therapy, or incorporate marijuana other ways.
Sisolak praised Nevada’s lounge laws in an 4/20 opinion piece for Marijuana Moment 2022. He wrote: “The concept isn’t a new one, but no other state is doing it the way we do in Nevada.”
He said that while most consumption lounges do not offer food, drinks or other entertainment, the lounges in Nevada will provide a one-stop shop for entertainment, creating jobs, growing the industry, and boosting our economy.
According to the rules approved by the board, consumption must remain hidden from view. Smoking or vaping is prohibited in the lounge. Cannabis products that are intended for single-use or those ready to consume cannot be taken off site. Businesses must also provide free water to all guests.
Cannabis will be the only product sold in lounges. Alcohol, nicotine or tobacco products are prohibited.
Lounges are also required to implement plans to reduce the exposure of workers to secondhand smoke and to cannabis impairment. Guns are banned, surveillance is mandatory and procedures need to be put in place to reduce or respond to potentially violent behavior.
The regulations limit the amount of cannabis that can be used in a single-use product to 3.5 grams. “Extracted inhalable products” (such a dabbing or vaping products) are restricted to 300 milligrams THC. All single-use cannabis products that contain more than one gram of usable marijuana, as well as all extracted inhalables must have written warnings about potency.
The maximum amount of THC in edibles that are ready to consume is 10 milligrams. This is a standard dose for states where cannabis has been legalized for adult use.
Topicals are restricted to 400 milligrams THC. Transdermal patches, all cannabis products and other cannabis-based products are limited to 100 milligrams of THC. They must also carry a warning if the product contains more than 10 mg.
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and psychedelics bills, as well as drug policy legislation in state legislatures. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
The state’s marijuana law changed again at the start of the year. A new policy was implemented that doubled the amount of cannabis a person could buy and possess, to 2.5 ounces.
Retailers who sell recreational cannabis will be able to provide medical cannabis to patients without requiring a separate licence.
The new law was passed as part of a comprehensive marijuana reform bill signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, signed the law into effect in June. The law also expands the eligibility of people with previous felony convictions to participate in the market.
Nevada officials have recently adopted a proposal that would amend the hiring standards of police officers, allowing job candidates previously disqualified due to marijuana-related crimes to be considered for law enforcement jobs.
A joint legislative committee heard testimony from experts and the public last month on the therapeutic potentials of substances such as psilocybin.
In May of last year, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted to submit a proposed regulatory change to the Governor to protect athletes against being penalized for using or possessing cannabis in compliance with the state law.
Federally Funded Researchers Discover New Methods To Distinguish Hemp and Marijuana In Crime Labs
The post Nevada’s Officials Approve First Marijuana Consumption lounge, To Open This Month first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
