Las Vegas Votes to Allow Cannabis Social Consumption Lounges

The Las Vegas City Council voted on Wednesday to allow cannabis social consumption lounges within city limits, KSNV reports. The 5-1 vote was to reject a motion to opt out of the state’s consumption lounge program — if the city had done nothing, it automatically would have been added to the state program.

The lone “no” vote came from Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who said her constituents were wary of lounges in residential neighborhoods. Councilman Stavros Anthony did not participate in the meeting, according to the report.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) plans to issue 20 lounge licenses in October. So far, Clark County and the city of Las Vegas are the only localities to allow the lounges in southern Nevada. North Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite, and Boulder City all have opted out of the program, City Attorney Bryan Scott said in the report.

Before awarding any licenses, Las Vegas must amend the city code and craft ordinances regulating the new businesses, meaning it’s likely that the city won’t start accepting applications until early 2023.

The CCB approved the social consumption regulations in late June of this year. Half of the first round of licenses are set to go to social equity applicants. Businesses are required to submit diversity plans outlining how they will be inclusive.

Lounge patrons will be limited to 3.5 grams (or one eighth of an ounce) and cannot take unused cannabis from the lounge. Edibles or tinctures containing more than ten milligrams of THC are required to carry a warning label that reads: “Caution — this product is very potent and is not recommended for inexperienced users.” Lastly, lounges must have dedicated smoking rooms although outdoor lounges are also allowed.