Exploring the Emerging Cannabis Consumption Lounges in Las Vegas: A Look at Dazed! and Smoke and Mirrors
Family reunion leads to discovery of Las Vegas cannabis consumption lounges
San Francisco resident Justin Price and his sister Jen Price of Jacksonville, Florida, found themselves in Las Vegas for a family reunion during the first weekend of April. After bidding farewell to their relatives, the siblings decided to explore the city and stumbled upon the newly opened Dazed! cannabis consumption lounge inside the Planet 13 dispensary.
Justin Price shared, “We like to smoke and it’s nice to have a place to sit and relax. I don’t drink, and you just don’t want to sit out on the Strip and smoke. Our Uber driver suggested this location.” The siblings also visited the nearby Area 15 entertainment district before heading to Planet 13.
Meanwhile, co-workers William Pridgen and Angie Ribera from Fontainebleau Las Vegas visited Smoke and Mirrors inside the Thrive Cannabis Dispensary. Despite state laws prohibiting public cannabis consumption, the lounge provided a legal space for them to enjoy bong hits and cannabis-infused mocktails.
These lounges are a result of the legalization of cannabis consumption lounges through AB341 in 2021, five years after recreational marijuana was authorized by voters in 2016. While dispensaries have flourished in Nevada, the lounges needed time to meet state regulations.
James Humm, executive director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, highlighted the challenges of launching a new industry and ensuring compliance with regulations. The lounges are attached to dispensaries but customers can only consume what they purchase in the lounge, not what they buy in the store.
Both Dazed! and Smoke and Mirrors are the first CCB-regulated lounges to open, with more in the pipeline. The lounges offer various ways to consume cannabis, from smoking to cannabis-infused mocktails. The businesses have seen a mix of tourists and locals as customers.
Operators like Christopher LaPorte of RESET, a cannabis consulting firm, have worked to create unique experiences for guests. Smoke and Mirrors offers a sports bar-like atmosphere, while Dazed! is part of the expansive Planet 13 complex, resembling a cannabis mall with various offerings.
Despite federal restrictions on cannabis, the lounges have thrived in Nevada, attracting visitors and locals alike. As the industry continues to evolve, there is anticipation for potential partnerships between the gaming and cannabis sectors in the future.