What Are Cannabis Consumption Lounges?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go to a bar, but one where you can consume cannabis instead of alcohol? For some people, in the US and beyond, this is possible! Cannabis consumption lounges are spaces where people can gather, smoke weed, watch events, and make new friends. Though, depending on where they operate, they have to satisfy varying degrees of legislation and restriction.

In this article, we’re taking a look at cannabis consumption lounges, what they offer, and the hurdles they face.

What Is a Cannabis Lounge?

Cannabis lounges are, simply put, places to consume weed. At their most basic, they’re licensed spaces where you can bring cannabis products of your choice, hang out, and get high. However, some of them sell cannabis, with diverse menus and products to suit all manner of herb lovers. Whether you like smoking bongs or joints, vaping concentrates, or nibbling on edibles, there's something for all.

• Origins of Consumption Lounges

The first legal iteration of consumption lounges, at least in the modern Western world, were probably Amsterdam’s famous coffeeshops. These offer cannabis products that can be consumed on the premises, along with other products (such as food and drink).

This model has now been adopted and tweaked in various countries, including the US. In some states, there is an issue where you can purchase cannabis legally in a dispensary but can’t consume it there, but you also can’t consume it in public spaces, so you have to smoke it at home (if you want to consume legally). Many people like to consume in shared, communal spaces, however. Thus, the consumption lounge was born!

These fill a crucial gap, providing cannabis users somewhere they can legally get high along with other cannabis lovers—much like going to a bar, but with weed.

• What Defines a Consumption Lounge?

A cannabis consumption lounge could simply be defined as somewhere people gather to use cannabis. But here, we’re talking about legal, licensed lounges. Beyond this, much like bars, they can range in quality and ethos. However, many lounges tend to be community-focused and designed to help those who love cannabis meet like-minded people and ultimately form friendships.

Different regulatory models exist in different states. Some require that you bring your own cannabis (BYOC), while others sell cannabis products on-site.

• Features of Modern Cannabis Lounges

Though they could just be rooms to get blazed in, these lounges are usually much more than that. Most sell food and drink, both as a means to make a profit and because stoned people famously love to consume delicious treats! Others may well put on entertainment, such as music, comedy shows, and quizzes.

Moreover, in keeping with the desire to build community, many will host community-centred nights including activities like wellness workshops, cannabis workshops, yoga, educational sessions, and so on.

Which States Have Consumption Lounges?

The legality of cannabis consumption lounges varies from state to state in America, and it’s an ever-changing system. Below, we’ll go through the legal considerations, examine where cannabis consumption lounges are legal, and also take a look at some international examples.

• Key Legal Milestones

• 2016: California voters approve Proposition 64, which includes provisions for cannabis cafes and consumption lounges, making it one of the first states to implement such spaces.
• 2018: Alaska becomes the first state to officially authorise on-site consumption spaces in dispensaries.
• 2019: Nevada passes legislation to allow cannabis consumption lounges, with a focus on boosting tourism.
• 2021: Colorado updates its cannabis regulations to permit cannabis hospitality establishments, including lounges.
• 2022: The states of New York and New Jersey incorporate consumption lounges into their cannabis legalization frameworks, signalling broader acceptance nationwide.

• States Where Lounges Are Legal

Cannabis consumption lounges are currently legal in the following American states:

• International Examples

As mentioned, the OG consumption lounges are found in Amsterdam. However, there are plenty more examples.

Spain, particularly Barcelona, boasts a thriving cannabis social club scene. These clubs both sell high-quality products and provide spaces in which to consume it. Some are more accessible, while others are more exclusive and require a personal invite from an existing member.

Uruguay, one of the most pro-cannabis countries in the world, also has a social club model that includes spaces that could be considered consumption lounges.

Germany has recently legalized cannabis social clubs, but as yet does not allow cannabis to be consumed on-site. Therefore, clubs are exploring the potential of having separate spaces where members can consume their cannabis.

What to Expect in a Cannabis Consumption Lounge

Though each lounge is different, and some pride themselves on their individuality, there are commonalities among most of them.

• Ambiance and Vibe

Most cannabis lounges are comfortable and modern. That being said, they aren’t all necessarily chill. Many lounges, in the Netherlands for example, play loud music and are not relaxing spaces. Others are quieter and more relaxed.

Many include game consoles and other game options, whereas some are more akin to bars and pubs.

• Menu Offerings

If a consumption lounge is able to sell cannabis products, expect a wide range including edibles, pre-rolls, flowers, infused drinks, concentrates, and vape cartridges.

Where they can’t sell cannabis (and where they can), expect at the very least for them to also sell soft drinks. More likely, they’ll have an extensive food and drink menu so that you can comfortably spend several hours in them without going hungry or thirsty.

• Rules and Etiquette

As these are licensed spaces filled with stoned people, expect to follow rules and etiquette while in them. You should always:

• Act respectfully
• Understand the space operates under strict legal guidelines that must be adhered to
• Respect sale limits
• Do not bring your own weed unless it’s BYOC
• Respect the privacy of other users
• Follow the specific rules of the lounge

• Events and Activities

As mentioned, in some lounges you can expect to find events and activities from time to time. These might include music, game nights or educational events such as seminars, growing workshops, tasting nights, and more.

Each lounge will curate events differently, so find one with offerings that interest you!

Can I Bring My Own Cannabis to a Lounge?

It all depends on the law and the model that the particular lounge adheres to. Some have a BYOC policy, where you either can or must bring your own cannabis, while others will insist that you only consume cannabis bought on location.

The Benefits of a Cannabis Consumption Lounge

Cannabis consumption lounges have many benefits, for individual users, owners of the clubs, and wider communities.

• For Consumers

Consumption lounges offer consumers access to safe and supportive environments in which to consume cannabis. In world where many people have been forced to consume cannabis in private, the opportunity to openly get high along with like-minded people is, for some, quite life-changing.

Not only is the communal aspect a benefit, but when lounges offer products, many consumers have access to a range of high-quality products (so long as the lounge is reputable).

• For Communities

The benefits also spread to the wider community too. Making once-illicit cannabis use legal and giving it a home means that people who once had to operate under the radar can now do so openly, which benefits everyone. These spaces make the whole community safer and better educated, while also creating jobs and driving tourism, which of course benefits the owners of these establishments as well!

The Challenges and Drawbacks of Cannabis Lounges

There are significant challenges related to opening and running these spaces. Some jurisdictions are less restrictive and make life easier than others, but the general attitude toward cannabis is still negative even where the herb is legal.

• Regulatory Hurdles

These spaces are highly regulated, and authorities tend to ensure that they adhere strictly to regulations, with harsh penalties if the rules are broken. This means that anyone operating a consumption lounge needs to be well aware of what the law states and always keep on the right side of it!

• Public Perception

Venues must also contend with sustained negative perceptions from the public. Despite relaxing views, there remains much stigma around this plant and its consumption, and many of these lounges are looked down upon and petitioned against by the local communities in which they are embedded. As such, they have a tough time legitimising themselves where almost any other establishment wouldn’t have to.

• Operational Challenges

Due to the strict regulations that must be complied with, it can be difficult for these businesses to turn a profit. Profits can be low and operational costs, including licensing, can be high (depending on the location). Combine this with poor public perception and they are often labours of love as much as they are profiting endeavours.

How Do Cannabis Lounges Differ From Traditional Dispensaries?

Though there is overlap between the two, the main focuses of coffeeshops and dispensaries are distinct.

Lounges focus on consumption, creating an atmosphere that encourages customers to hang around and make themselves comfortable. Dispensaries, on the other hand, focus on selling cannabis products, and may or may not offer lounges where buyers can stay and consume their weed.

The Future of Cannabis Consumption Lounges

Cannabis consumption lounges come in many guises, but at their core they are spaces where people can legally consume cannabis. They may sell the cannabis, or they may invite people to bring their own. Regardless, they tend to be safe and supportive environments that benefit users and the community alike.

Depending on where they are located, cannabis consumption lounges are subject to varying levels of scrutiny, stigma, and restriction, but hopefully this will ease and change for the better in the future. But as their number is currently increasing, they certainly mark a step in the right direction!