If you have ever wished bars existed to smoke weed in, wish no further. The time has come.
A Hazel Park dispensary recently became Michigan’s first licensed marijuana consumption lounge as other cannabis retailers around the state race to obtain their own.
Like a bar – but for cannabis – Designated Marijuana Consumption Establishments (DMCE) allow adults to consume cannabis in a safe and private, yet public, space.
“It’s great to see this part of the cannabis industry taking off after nearly two years of delay due to the pandemic,” Brisbo said. “As we continue to lead the nation in innovation, we’re committed to staying in touch with licensees and stakeholders to make sure we are stimulating business growth while preserving safe consumer access to cannabis.”
Currently, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency has three applications for the DMCE license, according to executive director, Andrew Brisbo.
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Local caterers and food truck can also be hired for a variety of events. Capacity is 200 people for private events.
Detroit’s consumption lounge may be the first of its kind in the state, but it will not be the only Michigan city to see a consumption lounge this year. About an hour west, one Ann Arbor dispensary is in the process of establishing its own lounge.
Liberty Provisioning Center is converting a two-story, pink house next to its Ashley Street dispensary into the city’s first consumption lounge. MLive reported the city approved a special-exception permit for the building last May but the owner company, Holistic Industries, had to acquire the state license.
The lounge, that has yet to be named, offers 45-minute reservations. Entry is free to customers who can provide a same-day receipt from Liberty Provisioning. It is a $10 charge for all others.
Hot Box Social, in Hazel Park, is the first of its kind to open in Michigan. The Trucenta-owned business will offer private events until opening to the public come summer according to a MRA press release.
"We are honored that Michigan has awarded us the state's first license for a consumption lounge," said Nowfal Akash, Trucenta chief information officer. "Hot Box Social is a relaxed gathering space for meetings and special events where cannabis can be consumed in a safe and supportive environment.”
The 3,000 square foot indoor lounge will offer corporate, social and special events for the next
“Those who live in public housing or who rent could face possible eviction for using cannabis in their homes,” he said. “Consider those who may own their own home but who live alone and may wish to experiment with cannabis for the first time in a safe and supportive environment with people who can educate them about cannabis use.”
Kahn said an increase in cannabis storefronts can lead to higher arrest rates – and racial inequities – if cities do not effectively provide safe spaces to use the plant.
“Often people are using (marijuana) in parks or outside on the streets,” he said. “And unfortunately, the folks that seem to get arrested in those moments are often people of color, so it really becomes an issue of racial justice as well.”
The lounge will have a special air-filtration system to prevent the room from becoming smokey. The lounge will be hermetically sealed – airtight – so any odor will be unnoticeable from outside.
Like at bars, consumption of cannabis is not allowed outside the premises.
Other areas in Michigan are on the cusp of welcoming their very own cannabis consumption lounges, like one small, northern village.
Kalkushka, in Kalkaska will see its first lounge open by the end of April. The downtown building is attached to Carbidex’s dispensary, Green Pharm, that opened last summer.
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Chambers said, like other consumption lounges, customers can purchase from Green Pharm and walk next door to use cannabis in the lounge. Capacity is 79 people.
The $10 entry fee for consumers will be waived for those who purchase from the adjacent dispensary.
“We’re hoping it’s going to drive business into our store,” he said.
Chambers said they are getting creative with ways to bring cannabis to customers through a next-door delivery service.
“(Customers) can make a purchase on their device and we can walk it over, the budtenders from the store can deliver it there to them,” he said.
Kalkushka also plans to accommodate customers with refreshments and snacks. Chambers said the lounge will offer non-cannabis items for sale.
“We will have a kiosk inside where we’re going to be selling coffee (and) prepackaged food,” he said.
Kalkushka is currently awaiting the approval of one last license. Chambers said it, like other lounges, will have special air filtration systems to reduce the smoke and smell in and around the building.
If you have long wanted a place, in public, to consume cannabis, look no further. This part of the revolution has arrived and will continue to change the marijuana world for the better.
few months, before opening the space to social gatherings, educational opportunities and arts-focused activities, later in 2022. The 5,000 square foot back patio will be available later in the summer.
“Our hope is that Hot Box Social will be used to bring a new experience for companies hosting brainstorming meetings, friends who are gathering for private parties, and one-of-a-kind fundraisers to raise money for nonprofit organizations,” Akash said.
Per state laws, cannabis products must be delivered from a licensed dispensary and used onsite.
Hot Box Social plans to have cannabis experts present to “help guests understand how to make an informed decision on the best product for them to consume,” the press release said.
The lounge plans to open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and take the last reservation at 7:15 p.m. Maximum occupancy is 19 people, but until deciding otherwise, the business will cap it at eight people to be mindful of COVID-19, according to MLive.
Kahn said the lounge is especially for those who do not have a safe space to consume cannabis, whether it is because they cannot use in their home, or they do not want to try it alone.
“Half the building we opened a retail store,” founder and CEO, Russ Chambers said. “The lounge is like phase two of that project.”
Chambers said, like other consumption lounges, customers can purchase from Green Pharm and walk next door to use cannabis in the lounge. Capacity is 79 people.
The $10 entry fee for consumers will be waived for those who purchase from the adjacent dispensary.
“We’re hoping it’s going to drive business into our store,” he said.
“Half the building we opened a retail store,” founder and CEO, Russ Chambers said. “The lounge is like phase two of that project.”
“Those who live in public housing or who rent could face possible eviction for using cannabis in their homes,” he said. “Consider those who may own their own home but who live alone and may wish to experiment with cannabis for the first time in a safe and supportive environment with people who can educate them about cannabis use.”
Kahn said an increase in cannabis storefronts can lead to higher arrest rates – and racial inequities – if cities do not effectively provide safe spaces to use the plant.
“Often people are using (marijuana) in parks or outside on the streets,” he said. “And unfortunately, the folks that seem to get arrested in those moments are often people of color, so it really becomes an issue of racial justice as well.”
The lounge will have a special air-filtration system to prevent the room from becoming smokey. The lounge will be hermetically sealed – airtight – so any odor will be unnoticeable from outside.
Like at bars, consumption of cannabis is not allowed outside the premises.
Other areas in Michigan are on the cusp of welcoming their very own cannabis consumption lounges, like one small, northern village.
Kalkushka, in Kalkaska will see its first lounge open by the end of April. The downtown building is attached to Carbidex’s dispensary, Green Pharm, that opened last summer.