Las Vegas, the city of entertainment and gambling, has added a new attraction to its list: the first state-regulated cannabis lounge. Smoke and Mirrors, a cannabis cocktail lounge owned by Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, opened its doors on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 4:20 p.m.—a symbolic time for cannabis enthusiasts.
A Historic Moment for Cannabis Advocates
The opening of Smoke and Mirrors was a historic moment for cannabis advocates, who have been pushing for legal and safe places to consume cannabis in Nevada. The state legalized recreational cannabis in 2017, but until 2021, there were no legal options for public consumption. Cannabis users could only consume in private residences, which posed a problem for tourists and residents who lived in places that prohibited cannabis use.
Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, a longtime supporter of cannabis legalization, was the first customer to buy and consume cannabis at Smoke and Mirrors. He said he was grateful to be alive to witness the milestone and hoped it would be the start of something big for Las Vegas and the cannabis industry.
“We’ve legalized marijuana since 2017. It’s taken another seven years to get here. It’s time. I’m hoping this is the start of something big,” Segerblom said. “It’s more than a venue; it’s a platform for the cannabis industry as a whole, where tourists and locals alike can be a part of a new chapter in the evolution of hospitality.”
A New Experience for Cannabis Consumers
Smoke and Mirrors is located at 2875 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, adjacent to Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, the state’s largest independently owned cannabis business. The lounge offers a variety of products, including cannabis-infused cocktails, edibles, pre-rolls, and vaporizers. Customers can also bring their own cannabis products purchased from Thrive or other licensed dispensaries.
The lounge features a modern and sleek design with comfortable seating, a large bar, and a stage for live entertainment. The lounge also has a ventilation system that filters the air and prevents the smell of cannabis from escaping. The lounge is open to anyone 21 and over and charges a $10 entry fee.
Mitch Britten, the CEO of Thrive, said he was proud to be the first to open a regulated cannabis lounge in Nevada and hoped to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for cannabis consumers.
“We’re very excited to be the first to open a regulated cannabis lounge in Nevada. We’ve been working hard to make this happen, and we’re very thankful to the state and the county for their support,” Britten said. “We want to offer a new experience for cannabis consumers where they can socialize, relax, and enjoy cannabis in a legal and comfortable setting.”
A Growing Trend for Cannabis Lounges
Smoke and Mirrors is the first of what should be about 40 lounges to open throughout the state, according to the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. The board issued the first final license for a lounge to Smoke and Mirrors on February 15, 2024, after an inspection by agents. The board also granted conditional licenses to 19 other groups that are working toward opening their own lounges.
Cannabis lounges are a growing trend in the U.S., as more states legalize recreational cannabis and look for ways to accommodate public consumption. California, Colorado, Alaska, and Michigan are some of the states that have allowed or are considering allowing cannabis lounges. Cannabis advocates say that lounges provide a solution to the issue of public consumption and also create new opportunities for the cannabis industry and tourism.
Smoke and Mirrors is expected to attract many visitors and locals who want to experience cannabis in a new way. The lounge is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily and plans to host various events and promotions in the future.