Las Vegas legalizes cannabis consumption lounges

A new bill is underway in the state of Nevada, promising to bring marijuana lounges to the country’s most notorious party city of Las Vegas.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has green lit Assembly Bill No. 341, effectively legalizing the recreational and public consumption of cannabis products. The bill classified two types of licensed venues: “retail cannabis consumption lounges”, or dispensaries like Vegas’ Planet 13, as well as “independent cannabis consumption lounges.

“Consumption lounges will finally provide a lawful place for both tourists and locals to safely consume cannabis,” AB341 sponsor Assemblyman Steve Yeager told Marijuana Moment. “In addition, lounges will help grow Nevada’s small business economy and create hundreds of jobs… further solidify(ing) Las Vegas’ status as the entertainment capital of the world as well as THE destination for cannabis tourism.”

Operating much like Amsterdam’s famous cannabis lounges deceptively coined “coffee shops”, the venues will serve single-use cannabis products like joints, edibles, and infused sodas, however, will not serve alcohol. According to UNILAD, Yeager elaborated on the potential expansion of cannabis culture in the entertainment industry, such as in comedy clubs, restaurants, and even yoga studios. Meanwhile, the cannabis-friendly bill’s impact on Las Vegas’ thriving live music scene remains yet to be seen.