Cannabis Consumption Lounges Are Arriving In California

In the early days of legal recreational marijuana in California, there were only a few places for people to consume their weed. They could smoke it at home or have it delivered by an online service. Those options exist today, but consumers get another chance: cannabis consumption lounges. These venues provide spaces where consumers can legally use their marijuana—and they're also generating some buzz among entrepreneurs who want to jump into this burgeoning industry.

First came the marijuana stores, and then came the delivery services. California cannabis connoisseurs may finally have a place to go when they want to smoke or vape their weed in public.

First came the marijuana stores, and then came the delivery services. California cannabis connoisseurs may finally have a place to go when they want to smoke or vape their weed in public.

Introduced by Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), a bill would allow local governments in California to create licenses for pot lounges where people could consume cannabis. The bill's co-authors include Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), who also sponsored legislation that would make it legal for Californians over 21 years old to smoke or vape marijuana at home without being penalized with fines or jail time.

The long-awaited debut of sit-down cannabis consumption lounges throughout California appears to have arrived, and industry experts predict these venues will expand exponentially in the next few years.

The long-awaited debut of sit-down cannabis consumption lounges throughout California appears to have arrived, and industry experts predict these venues will expand exponentially in the next few years.

In November 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 and over. But the law left much to be determined about how businesses would be allowed to operate. One uncertainty was whether cannabis consumption lounges could exist, even though they had been legal in parts of Colorado since 2014.

Until now, there were no guidelines on where or how individuals could use marijuana outside their homes. Bars are hosting "bring your own bud" nights as an alternative to traditional happy hours; some cannabis clubs exist in Oakland. People were using edibles or smoking joints at home or elsewhere out of sight from police officers or other authorities who might stop them from smoking pot openly on streets and sidewalks.

That would mark a significant change. The uptick in marijuana lounges has been modest in California and across the nation, slowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Marijuana lounges are a new concept, but not one new to California. In fact, cannabis consumption lounges have been around for years in states where recreational marijuana is legal.

But it wasn't until recently that the industry began expanding into other states and cities across the country — with some big players getting involved in the movement.

For example, New York City-based cannabis investment firm MedMen opened its first lounge in West Hollywood last year, followed by another location in Santa Ana (which opened this month). And San Francisco-based retailer Bolt Bar recently announced plans to open an Amsterdam-style coffee shop at the former Tugboat Pub in Oakland next month.

But marijuana is now legal for recreational use for adults in 16 states, more than three times as many states as were on that list five years ago. Experts say factors such as the legalization of cannabis and relaxed social attitudes toward it - combined with the growing need for venues where consumers can legally use it - are accelerating the development of lounges.

• States that have legalized marijuana
• States that are considering legalizing marijuana
• States that have already legalized marijuana
• States that have legalized medical marijuana
• States that have legalized recreational marijuana
• States that have legalized CBD hemp

Cannabis consumption lounges provide a space for consumers and a business opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Cannabis lounges are poised to become a reality in California.

They provide a space for consumers and a business opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Consumers can use cannabis in a safe environment and enjoy its effects without the risk of being arrested or fined by the police.

For entrepreneurs, the legalization of cannabis lounges has created an opportunity to open new businesses that cater to these consumers.

Conclusion

Cannabis consumption lounges provide a space for consumers and a business opportunity for entrepreneurs. They are an essential part of the cannabis industry's expansion and will likely continue to grow at an accelerated rate in the coming years. The legalization of recreational marijuana has sparked the creation of new businesses that cater specifically to this new market segment, such as smoking clubs and cannabis cafés.