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July 26, 2024Smoke and Mirrors, Las Vegas’s first cannabis consumption lounge opened on February 23, 2024. As of July 2, two licensed cannabis lounges are open in Nevada, both on the Vegas strip.
There were just 40 available cannabis lounge licenses, which were awarded by lottery. According to a Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) news release, 100 complete applications were received in a 10-day window from October 14 to October 27, 2022 (weekend excluded). All licenses were awarded to licensees operating in Vegas or Unincorporated Clark County (Vegas is in Clark County).
Bill 341, Nevada’s law on cannabis consumption lounges which passed in June 2021, allows three types of lounges: retail (20 available licenses), independent (10 available licenses), and independent operating as a social equity applicant (10 available licenses). According to this CCB webinar, “a social equity applicant is broadly defined as those adversely affected by provisions or previous laws which criminalized activity relating to cannabis”.
Dazed, Nevada’s second cannabis lounge, opened on April 5, 2024 on the Vegas strip, operated by Planet 13 – a 112,000 square foot cannabis Superstore. The 3,000 square foot lounge is located in the Planet 13 complex.
What’s Happening with BC Cannabis Consumption Spaces?
In Feb 2024, the BC Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch issued Bulletin 24-01, permitting retail cannabis licensees to promote a place to consume cannabis or to spend time after consuming cannabis. Cannabis still can’t be consumed in cannabis stores. Smoking and vaping cannabis on public patios is now generally permitted anywhere smoking and vaping tobacco are already allowed.
Restrictions on association with another businesses have also been removed from cannabis license terms, so that “licensed and non-licensed businesses have equal opportunity to participate in cannabis advertising. For example, cannabis stores can now promote an outdoor consumption space (e.g., patio) at another business”, the Bulletin states.
The announcement didn’t provide any guidance to CRS and PRS licensees and LCRB hasn’t issued updates. According to a StratCann news article of April 18, 2024, several cannabis consumption spaces are in the process of opening.
Get Cannabis Licensing Clarity from Thrive
If you need guidance about cannabis consumption patios or any CRS or PRS licensing question, book a call with a cannabis license consultant at Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors.