Nevada’s first marijuana lounge opened its doors at 4:20pm, when a local politician smoked the first joint.
The first THRIVE Cannabis Marketplace in Las Vegas opened its doors on Friday, and guests lit up their first joint. They were also offered a selection of marijuana products as well as non-alcoholic THC infused beverages.
The new license is the culmination years of rulemaking. The Nevada Cannabis Control Board granted final approval to the “Smoke and Mirrors Lounge” earlier this month.
In June last year, regulators approved a first batch of consumption lounges after approving 40 potential hospitality businesses. THRIVE was among the three businesses that received this approval last year.
Mitch Britten (CEO of THRIVE Cannabis Marketplace) said in a recent press release that “THRIVE is known for setting the standard for quality cannabis experiences, and operational standards. We are excited to be part of this historic moment as we continue revolutionizing the cannabis industry.”
Tick Segerblom, Chairman of the Clark County Commission, made history by being the first to smoke a joint in the facility. This was at 4:20pm. The lounge recognized the commissioner with a drink named “The Godfather,” a signature infusion.
It’s legal!!!! pic.twitter.com/t5JeilIWFq
Tick Segerblom 24 February 2024
Segerblom said to Marijuana Moment, “I’ve been waiting for this day since the 1960s: smoking marijuana legally in public.” Las Vegas will soon be the “New Amsterdam” – the marijuana capital of the globe.
Disclosure: Segerblom is a monthly Patreon contributor to Marijuana Moment.
Christopher LaPorte said the companies were “beyond thrilled” to have opened the first cannabis lounge licensed by the state of Nevada.
He said, “Our goal is to not only create a space that caters to cannabis enthusiasts but also to create a hub of social interaction for our guests.” Smoke and Mirrors offers a wide range of products that we hope will provide an unforgettable experience.
Smoke and Mirrors, for adults over 21, is open from 4:00pm until midnight on Tuesday and Thursday and 12:00am to midnight on Friday and Sunday.
CCB announced earlier this month there were 19 lounges approved for a conditional licence, including 14 lounges attached to retail and five lounges independent.
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, provide infused foods, offer THC-aided massaging 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 options, the lounges in Nevada will be an all-in-one entertainment center to create jobs, grow our industry and boost the 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.
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The state’s marijuana law changed again at the start of this 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 send a proposed regulation amendment to the Governor to protect athletes against being penalized for using or possessing cannabis in compliance with the state law.
House bill to remove marijuana as a barrier to federal employment or security clearances has mute provisions, Congressional Budget Office says
Martin Alonso is the photographer of this photo.
The post Nevada’s First Marijuana Consumption Lounge Opens Officially, with Top Lawmaker Hitting a Joint at 4:20 first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
