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Michigan opens first cannabis consumption lounge

by The Real Dirt | Mar 25, 2022 | 420 Culture & Travel, 420 News, Blog, Business, Cannabis Business, Cannabis News, Culture, Industry News, Legalization

The first marijuana consumption lounge is set to open its doors later this month in Hazel Park.

Hotbox Social will start off with private events and then will open to the public later in the year.

It’s the first of its kind to be granted a state permit where users can recreationally light one up or smoke a bong.

But there’s a catch, you can’t bring in your own stash just yet.

“We’re able to accept deliveries from any retailer in the area. We don’t actually sell here,” CIO at Trucenta Nowfal Akash said. “Delivery drivers show up and maintain the transaction inside where it’s safe.”

Experts will also be on hand to teach those who are new users.

“The FDA has a certain recommendation about 5mg as an initial dose. We want to cut that in half and probably float around the 2-2.5mg range for a first-timer just to be safe,” Akash said.

Michigan is now the 7th state to allow these consumption lounges.

“We saw a need for a way for social consumption to occur in a responsible manner,” Michigan’s top Cannabis Regulator Andrew Brisbo said. “We can ensure the safety of the employees working in those types of establishments.”

There are a lot of regulations for these consumption lounges including an adequate ventilation system.

Read Full Story on WXYZ Detroit

Cannabis lounge opening in Denver hotel

by The Real Dirt | Dec 17, 2021 | 420 Culture & Travel, 420 News, Blog, Business, Cannabis Business, Cannabis News, Culture, Industry News, Legalization

the first cannabis lounge in Denver is opening at the Patterson Inn

The Patterson Inn was recently the first — and only — business to apply for the newly available hospitality license

Weed has long been a social substance — after all, there needs to be someone to pass the dutchie on the left hand side. But because of laws limiting public consumption, there are very few places where tokers can go to socially consume it like they do alcohol at a bar.

Denver regulators and entrepreneurs hope that will soon change, however, since the city recently legalized cannabis hospitality businesses. In November, the city began accepting applications from folks who want to open smoking lounges and Amsterdam-esque gathering places, or run bus tours where consumers are able to consume cannabis.

So far just one person has applied, according to Eric Escudero, director of communications for Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses. That person is Chris Chiari, owner of Capitol Hill bed and breakfast The Patterson Inn.

Chiari is familiar with the cannabis industry, currently serving as the deputy director of the Colorado branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and having previously invested in a local dispensary. He also co-produced a documentary with rapper and actor Ice-T called “Public Enemy Number One,” which explores the United States’ weaponization of marijuana against communities of color.

Chiari first dreamt of turning The Patterson Inn into a cannabis-friendly space about a decade ago when he walked by and saw the address: 420 E. 11th Ave. The property ended up selling to other buyers, but when it came back on the market in 2018, Chiari jumped at the opportunity to purchase it.

“What I envisioned then and am working on today,” he said, “is to combine four-star, boutique hospitality with legally licensed cannabis hospitality and consumption.”