FEAST AND PUFF AT THESE 6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CANNABIS LOUNGES

In 2016, California voters approved Prop. 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which legalized recreational cannabis use statewide on January 1, 2018. Days after, long lines formed at dispensaries, which left most to consume cannabis products at home or stealthily (and illegally) in public. Though California law made it possible to smoke a freshly purchased pre-roll or drink a cannabis-infused beverage, it became tricky to figure out where to consume these products until 2019.

Before Prop 64 became law, West Hollywood officials took on a cannabis-friendly approach, potentially as the most welcoming municipality in the state. The city quickly understood that people needed a space to fully enjoy the new law, and just five years later, in 2024, West Hollywood is now home to four lounges and the most cannabis dispensaries per square mile in the world. The city’s history with cannabis dates back 40 years. Once all of them are open, there will be a total of 16 lounges available for adults who want to consume cannabis in a proper sit-down atmosphere. In 2019, the Cannabis Cafe (formerly Lowell Farms: A Cannabis Cafe) became the first venue where patrons could legally consume cannabis while snacking on food like nachos and burgers.

The opening pace of cannabis lounges slowed down considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. While WeHo continues to expand, the City of Los Angeles has stayed out of the cannabis lounge game, though underground or private events are abundant throughout Southern California. That leaves West Hollywood and the Palm Springs area as the only SoCal cities for on-site imbibing. Here are cannabis lounges (it’s time to retire the unfortunate label “consumption lounge”) in Southern California where a meal or non-alcoholic drink can accompany a smoke. (Note: many of these establishments accept cash only.)

PleasureMed

In October 2023, Pleasure Chest owner Brian Robinson opened PleasureMed directly across the parking lot from his decades-old adult boutique. PleasureMed includes two restaurants called Irie and Hind. Irie is a cannabis lounge and restaurant on the second floor complete with cannabis sommeliers they called flight attendants. On the ground floor, Hind does not allow cannabis consumption, but serves cocktails and the same food. Both menus were developed by former Hatchet Hall chef Wes Whitsell who put together elegant options like black-eyed pea hummus, lamb shakshuka, and jerk fried quail.

By law, cannabis lounges cannot serve alcohol on the premises, which is why Hind operates in a separate building on the PleasureMed campus. For added convenience, a stunning Havana-styled dispensary is located on the ground floor. One cannot smell a whiff of smoke as Irie employs a high-powered filtration system with filters to limit smoke inhalation, a state-mandated requirement for any cannabis lounge in California. No outside cannabis is allowed.

The Woods

Woody Harrelson opened the Woods on Santa Monica Boulevard near Sweetzer in October 2022. The opulent 5,000-square-foot cannabis lounge is a tropical oasis with cabanas, plush sofas and chairs, tropical birds, koi ponds, a non-alcoholic beverage bar, and a lush garden with mature trees. The space formerly served as famed restaurant designer Thomas Schoos’s professional studio. Harrelson’s partners are TV host Bill Maher, Schoos, Schoos Design CEO Michael Berman, and Erba dispensary founders Erba Jay Handal and Devon Wheeler.

At the Woods, smoking is allowed in the outdoor bar or outdoor lounge where seating is first-come, first-served. Cannabis-infused drinks are available along with non-dosed coffee, tea, soda, and water. No food is available here, but people can bring their own. If needed, staff can provide bongs, papers, grinders, tips, lighters, and other cannabis accessories. Private smoking cabanas with air conditioning and TVs are also available for an hourly rate. No outside cannabis is allowed, so all cannabis must be purchased at the Woods.

Artist Tree — the Studio Cannabis Lounge

The Artist Tree secured every license possible from West Hollywood officials before opening in April 2022. That includes on-site consumption, medical- and adult-use retail, and even delivery. The lounge is stationed on the second and third floors overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard with indoor and outdoor table service. The dispensary is directly downstairs with a massive amount of cannabis products available for purchase and consumption during a visit. Food isn’t prepared on-site but Artist Tree partners with Junior Cookies and has options from the adjacent Fresh Corn Grill, which offers eight salads, a sundried tomato pasta, and corn chowder.

Cannabis Cafe

Though West Hollywood’s first cannabis lounge debuted in 2019, it temporarily closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cannabis Cafe owners changed the name and food options before reopening in November 2023. The interior remains the same and some former staff returned. Pre-rolls, cannabis flower, edibles, and beverages can be purchased at Cannabis Cafe. Patrons must buy the lounge’s cannabis brand or pay $25 to bring their own. Jonah’s Kitchen chef Jonah Johnson also revamped the menu with casual bites like Korean-style wings, nachos, burgers, steak frites, and an option to build your own sundaes or milkshakes.

Palm Springs

In Palm Springs, cannabis businesses are open but are struggling. In October 2023, the Palm Springs City Council approved a moratorium on accepting applications for any new cannabis stores. It’s a precarious market, and many have unceremoniously shut down over the last 12 months. Always call first to confirm operating hours or if these cannabis lounges are still operational.

Mainstage Dispensary Lounge

The Mainstage rivals ones in West Hollywood with a dispensary and stylish rooms to hang out with fellow cannabis lovers. Located in Cathedral City, this lounge even offers game nights (Bingo, anyone?) and DJs. During the later hours, staff dim the lights, and plenty of snacks are available for purchase.

Four Twenty Bank

In Downtown Palm Springs, operators took over a shuttered bank and opened Four Twenty Bank in 2021. It’s a massive dispensary and lounge complete with couches, cushiony seats, air hockey, pinball machines, Jenga, and video games like Ms. Pac-Man. When feeling snacky, try the vending machine for food and beverages.

2024-04-19T18:57:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd