Top local Nevada lawmaker Tick Segerblom publicly lit the inaugural joint at Nevada’s first legal marijuana consumption lounge to mark its official opening. He did so at the user-friendly time of 4:20 p.m.
Patrons reportedly lit up at the inaugural THRIVE cannabis marketplace facility, Smoke and Mirrors, located in Las Vegas, where the lounge also served a wide variety of non-alcoholic THC-infused beverages and other cannabis products.
The Nevada Cannabis Control Board (CCB) gave its final approval for the lounge in February, marking the apex of years of rulemaking to permit the type of new license.
Last June, regulators gave preliminary approval for consumption lounge licenses to 40 prospective hospitality businesses. They have now approved an initial batch of licensees. THRIVE was one of the first three businesses to receive final approval.
Mitch Britten, CEO of THRIVE Cannabis Marketplace, stated in a press release, “THRIVE has always been known for setting the bar for operational standards and quality cannabis experiences, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this historic moment in Las Vegas as we continue to revolutionize the cannabis industry.”
Clark County Commission chairman Segerblom has now made history for being the first person to purchase legal marijuana, smoking a joint openly at the facility. Smoke and Mirrors further recognized the commissioner by creating a signature THC-infused drink in his honor called “The Godfather.”
Segerblom spoke on the occasion, saying, “I have been waiting since the ‘60s for this day: legally smoking marijuana in public.” He continued, “Now Las Vegas is on its way to being the ‘New Amsterdam’—the marijuana capital of the world.”
Cannabis hospitality company RESET, which is working with THRIVE on the new facility, issued a statement via its managing partner Christopher LaPorte, saying that both companies are “beyond excited to have unveiled the first state-licensed cannabis lounge in Las Vegas.” LaPorte continued, “Our goal is not just to create a space for cannabis enthusiasts, but to create a social hub for our guests… With Smoke and Mirrors’ remarkable array of products, we aim to provide an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression.”
According to the CCB, 19 lounges have been approved for a conditional license, including five independent lounges and 14 retail-attached lounges. In a recent podcast, Tyler Klimas, former executive director of the CCB, stated that the development of cannabis consumption lounges signifies the “next frontier.”
Additionally, the law—signed by former Governor Steve Sisolak (D) in 2021 and enacted under legislation from Assemblyman Steve Yeager (D)—allows for businesses that serve infused food, offer THC-aided massage therapy, combine cannabis with yoga, or otherwise integrate marijuana in various ways.
There are some stipulations, however, as under the board-approved rules, legal marijuana consumption must take place away from public view. Those engaging in smoking or vaping cannabis must do so in a separate room of the lounge, and ready-to-consume cannabis products or single-use products cannot be taken off-site. Businesses must also provide every guest with free water. Furthermore, no tobacco, nicotine, or alcohol products can be sold at these lounges, which must be cannabis-only.
All extracted inhalable and single-use products with over 1 gram of usable cannabis must include written potency warnings, and single-use cannabis products are permitted to contain no more than 3.5 grams. Individual servings of edible products are limited to 10 milligrams of THC, while topicals are capped at 400 milligrams. All other cannabis products, including transdermal patches, may have no more than 100 milligrams of THC and, if they contain over 10 milligrams, must come with a warning.
In addition, a new policy, which increases the amount of cannabis a person can purchase and possess to 2.5 ounces, has also been enacted. As consumption lounges start to open across Nevada, recreational retailers will also be authorized to serve medical cannabis patients without a separate license.
Moving forward, the Smoke and Mirrors lounge will be open from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and noon to midnight from Thursday to Sunday. Patrons must be adults aged 21 and older.
