LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — With the closing of Thrive Cannabis Marketplace’s Smoke and Mirrors Cannabis Lounge many are wondering what the future holds for the marijuana industry in Las Vegas.
Thrive’s Smoke and Mirrors Cannabis Lounge closed its door on April 4. It was the first of two state-sanctioned cannabis consumption lounges to open in Nevada when it made its debut in February 2024.
“There should be more lounges out there especially if you’re in a legal space and are bringing money to the city. Then they would have the ability to give users a space to do such things. If you’re going to have places that are not private property at least have some places for people to use and partake,” tourist Parish Maynard said.
Dazed Consumption Lounge was the second lounge to open just two months later on Desert Inn Road inside of Planet 13 dispensary and is the last standing public marijuana consumption lounge at this time.
Cannabis lounges were viewed as a solution that could provide tourists greater access to the Nevada cannabis market that saw more than $829 million dollars in taxable sales in 2024.
“It would be nice to have a little lounge area to kick back, for outdoor areas. I do appreciate it if they would let us smoke at least for outdoor areas,” said tourist Nasir.
It’s not clear when another cannabis lounge could open, but according to the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, 21 additional lounges have earned approval. Another 10 licenses have been set aside for prospective lounge owners.
Nevada’s potential to capitalize on the cannabis industry will depend on continued collaboration between the Cannabis Compliance Board, state legislators and aspiring lounge operators.
