Entertainment hosts in Las Vegas are noticing a significant decrease in Gen Z (those born between 1997-2012) drinking alcohol. Paired with an overall increase in cannabis use by younger consumers, this shift could lead to great success for consumption lounges.

Las Vegas-based promoter of Pulsar Presents, Patrick Trout, has 20 years of experience promoting local music. Trout recently spoke with Las Vegas Weekly about the trend of Gen Z drinking less alcohol. “It’s something I’ve observed since the shutdown ended, but especially in the last year,” Trout said. “I’ve seen a dramatic increase in people not drinking at shows or drinking non-alcoholic stuff, but then simultaneously also wanting to smoke more. We are really seeing a generational, cultural shift.”

Trout’s observation is also reflected in a 2023 Billboard article, which cited a shift in alcohol consumption when businesses reopened after the pandemic. One Tucson, Arizona-based club manager noted that especially with shows that catered to Gen Z, alcohol sales dropped by 25%. Some researchers believe that this is partially because people pre-game, or start drinking alcohol prior to their arrival at a bar or entertainment venue, which is also a way to save money on a night out. Venue owners have attempted to switch their strategies to appeal to Gen Z attendees, such as expanding their non-alcohol options. In 2019, Global Market projected that the non-alcoholic industry could reach a value of $30 billion by next year.

Psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD, told Cleveland Clinic that an increase in mental health awareness deters Gen Z from imbibing. “Alcohol is a depressant and never the answer to a bad day,” Anand said. “Gen Z seems to understand that concept and they’ve moved in a different direction.”

A New Frontier Data report from 2022 shows that 69% of people between 18-24 prefer cannabis over alcohol, while the same preference is seen with 70% of those 25-34, 68% of 35-44 year olds, 55% of people 45-54, 52% of 55-64, and 44% of those 65-74.

Christopher LaPorte, Vegas-based manager of Reset, a cannabis hospitality group, told Las Vegas Weekly that cannabis is becoming highly preferred over alcohol. “Everyone has the pot brownie story that was horrible. But everyone also has a lot more of ‘Oh my god, that one night with tequila,’” said LaPorte. “People are more educated now because we are out of the closet. More people know about cannabis. More cool people are very open about their cannabis-smoking habits.”

Nevada’s first consumption lounge, Smoke and Mirrors, which is owned by Thrive Cannabis, opened in late February. LaPorte helped design the consumption lounge, which made him think of listening cafes in Japan and New York, some of which only offer non-alcoholic drink menus. “There was this buzz, I would say three years ago, about this new culture of non-alcoholic spirits, and we saw that there were bars actually dedicated to that. It wasn’t just an Alcoholics Anonymous kind of center. We [thought] this might be something,” said LaPorte. “We saw a lot of products like Lyre’s and Seedlip … they were starting to percolate. And, again, it was like, how can we tie this into a cannabis lounge?’”

That thought culminated into Smoke and Mirrors’ non-alcoholic, THC-infused drinks, which LaPorte described as a way to “attract another market into the cannabis space.”

Las Vegas Weekly was given a tour of Planet 13’s new cannabis lounge, led by Frankie Anobile, who has had an extended career as a DJ and developing Vegas nightlife entertainment, but is now Planet 13’s entertainment director. While he explained that he doesn’t expect “bong service” to replace “bottle service,” he stated that offering both services is the best way to go.

Planet 13’s consumption lounge, Dazed!, opened on April 5, but the company is also planning on building a three-story, 60,000 square-foot nightclub that only serves alcohol sometime in 2025.

While Nevada state law prevents cannabis businesses from selling alcohol, and vice versa, Planet 13’s nightclub plan would allow club goers to walk next door to the club after the consumption lounge closes. “You can stay all night drinking for hours; you can’t stay all night smoking. It’s a totally different culture, from what they want musically to what their stay time is,” said Anobile. “A lot of these people don’t usually like to leave their house. They’re not the ones who want to spend an hour getting ready to go out there and be seen like they’re doing an Instagram post.”

Trout added that he’s excited to see how consumption lounges will alter the music scene. “One thing I’m really interested to see with the pot lounges that decide to utilize live music is seeing what the spread is, what genres they go after,” Trout said. “There’s some sub genres of metal like doom and stoner rock and desert rock where I think it would absolutely appeal to them to have a place like that where you can smoke and watch music.”

According to the Nevada Independent, there are 38 more cannabis consumption lounge license holders currently working on their businesses at various stages.

A long standing argument against the legalization of cannabis has cited that legal access could lead to an increase in youth cannabis use. As states across the country continue pushing forward with reform measures, research is continually providing insight on just how merited that assertion is in actuality.

Fresh off the heels of a recent study showing the prevalence of delta-8 THC use among high school seniors — a hemp-derived cannabinoid that is widely available outside of the legal cannabis industry and in states with or without legal cannabis programs — some may wonder how many teens are using cannabis in recreational states and whether reform has escalated these trends.

A new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors looked to investigate how legal cannabis laws have impacted adolescent use and examined lifetime and past 30-day (P30D) cannabis use among middle school-aged adolescents in Nevada versus New Mexico.

It ultimately affirmed what many studies in the past have: Initiating state-licensed cannabis sales is not associated with an increase in cannabis use among young people.

Comparing Youth Cannabis Use in Legal and Illegal Recreational States

We’re still exploring the impacts of cannabis use, for better or worse, given the limited scope of research on the plant over the last several decades. However, despite the many benefits cannabis and its compounds may offer us, it’s widely accepted that cannabis use during adolescence can be especially impactful on development. 

To examine how adult-use cannabis legalization has influenced adolescent cannabis use, researchers behind the recent study used data from the 2017 and 2019 NV Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, state-run surveys for Nevada and New Mexico respectively designed to monitor health behaviors among U.S. students.

Researchers used difference-in-difference analyses to compare behaviors surrounding lifetime and past 30-day use in Nevada and New Mexico during the same period. At the time, Nevada had legal adult-use cannabis sales and New Mexico did not.

According to the analysis, the odds of lifetime and past 30-day use increased in both states during the observed time period, specifically among students who were female, older, non-white or attending a Title 1 school. 

Ultimately, researchers noted that there was “no difference in lifetime and P30D marijuana use by adult-use sales status.” 

Rather, cannabis use in both states followed similar trajectories. Researchers still noted this as a point of concern, given the negative health consequences of cannabis use at an early age, though whether or not cannabis was legal in a given state didn’t appear to be an influencing factor.

“We did not find compelling evidence that implementation of adult-use marijuana sales was associated with an immediate increase in lifetime or P30D marijuana use among middle school youth in Nevada which aligns with previous research,” the study notes.

Indeed, many other studies from the past have come to a similar conclusion: Cannabis reform does not appear to be correlated with an increase in use among young people.

A 2022 policy paper looked broader, reviewing data on consumption among eighth, 10th and 12th grade students, finding that youth consumption either “decreases or remains flat in regulated markets.”

“State legalization of cannabis has not, on average, impacted the prevalence of cannabis use among adolescents. In other words, states with medical and/or adult use laws are not seeing larger increases in adolescent use relative to states where use remains illegal,” the report states, additionally noting that educational early prevention methods can help to combat youth consumption.

The same appears to be true when focusing explicitly on medical cannabis laws, as a 2021 study “found no evidence between 1991 and 2015 of increases in adolescents reporting past 30-day marijuana use or heavy marijuana use associated with state MML (medical marijuana law) enactment or operational MML dispensaries.”

Another study tackled an adjacent inquiry: Does a state’s legal or illegal adult-use cannabis status impact children’s attitudes around cannabis use and perceptions of its risks? Researchers concluded that individual, child-level characteristics were the primary factor influencing young people’s attitudes toward cannabis, not state policy.

A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further compounds these findings, showing a steady decline in cannabis use in high school students from 2011 to 2021.

The market is still in its infancy, and we’re bound to see more reports on the topic as time goes on. But as it stands, the argument that legal cannabis will increase use among young people appears to have weak footing, and naysayers may need to look elsewhere for concrete arguments against reform.

Through the years, he elevated the form of functional glass art, incorporating innovations along the way, such as fuming glass with fine silver to create a mirror effect and manipulating blown glass into complex art. The JBD seal became a symbol of quality. But, despite his efforts to stay off the radar of police, he caught the attention of the federal government.

“I was arrested for manufacturing drug paraphernalia in 2003,” Harris says, referring to Operation Pipe Dreams, a George W. Bush administration-era DEA hunt that also involved Tommy Chong and 54 other defendants.

Pipe sellers who never touched the plant initially faced drug paraphernalia trafficking charges, and the feds pinned most of it on Chong. Scarred from that trauma, Harris laid low, first moving from Oregon to Maui, Hawaii, to make non-functional glass art for a while, and later New York.

“I kind of went underground for a while, and we were based in New York on Long Island,” he says. “We had a warehouse out there that we functioned out of—a small, nickel-and-dime business. When recreational cannabis happens, we sort of come out of the closet. And when I saw the money and energy and everything going on in the Las Vegas market, I called that home base.”

After seeing Colorado and Washington approve adult-use pot and learning that recreational cannabis legalization was possible, Harris gained confidence and re-launched Jerome Baker Designs in 2012, re-focusing on high-end art. Jerome Baker established the Las Vegas Dream Factory at its headquarters in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Dream Factory

Located downtown in the Arts District, a few blocks from Fremont Street, the Dream Factory is a place where people can truly appreciate the sheer amount of hours it takes an artist to make a piece. After all, JBD was behind achievements like “Bongzilla,” the world’s largest bong in 2018, and is the brand responsible for custom bongs made for celebrities such as George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, B-Real, Xzibit, 311, Slightly Stoopid, Sublime, Tool, Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down), People Under The Stairs, and Limp Bizkit.

Las Vegas is a prime place to attract people from all parts of the world, so Harris’s Dream Factory adapts to these specific needs.

“We get people that come in on pilgrimages from different places on the West Coast, and some are driving very far,” Harris says. “And they come for birthdays, weddings, different stuff like that. We’ve done a number of weddings in our facility, a number of birthdays, parties for some brands, they’ve been taken to the factory, and we get a percent of our clients coming in who are tourists.”

Teamwork makes the dream work, and Operations Manager Jennifer Krause is a big factor in the success of the Dream Factory.

“I basically handle everything from A-Z—you name it—accounts payable, accounts receivable, shipping, and [the operations] of the Dream Factory every day,” says Krause.

Krause says that the Dream Factory is currently showcasing glass art by Omar Rosales, Dina Kalahar, aka “Sol Fire Glass,” Donnie Alves, aka “Mente 45K,” and Allan Clement, aka “Cowboy.”

“And let’s not forget Jason Harris, known as Jerome Baker!” Krause laughs. “Within the last five years, it’s just completely blown up, and it’s pretty much one of the most prominent locations that people would want to visit. It’s where the artist all-stars are at. We’re right in the heart of the arts district.”

Krause explains how many people wander in, thinking it’s a basic smoke shop selling papers and cheap pipes, but what they’re offering is high-quality art that fetches top dollar. It’s a surprise “to the commoner wanting to walk away with a piece, and then they find out what we’re offering and what we’re shipping around the country,” Krause says.

Smoking Lounges & Cannabis Trade Shows

Both the state of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas have slowly rolled out consumption lounge regulations, though it’s taken years to materialize. NuWu’s Tasting Room opened in 2019, then rebranded as Sky High Lounge, opening in July 2023, and the city’s first non-tribal consumption lounges are scheduled to open by early 2024. (NuWu could open earlier because the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, a sovereign jurisdiction, owns its land.)

Many cannabis consumption lounges, such as ones in California, let patrons rent bongs or pipes to consume weed. A big factor is that tourists—not locals who can smoke at home cheaper—are going to them as smoking stealthily in a hotel gets tiring. Harris says consumption lounges are key to the full experience of legal weed.

“I think that’s absolutely essential,” Harris says. “People have different ways to smoke and consume cannabis. So, by being able to get everyone to have experience and make a lasting memory. I mean, look, when we were kids, we went to Amsterdam, leaving certain memories of certain coffeeshops in my life. Being able to rent the bongs and clean the bongs with a proper scrub, that was fun and part of the ritual.”

Harris explains how bongs slowly came out of the closet through the years, including how Vegas events have changed.

“We’ve been going to Las Vegas for so many years. It’s got so many trade shows. We were at the first CHAMPS trade show ever. And we bought the most booths—eight—and mostly we closed them all in so nobody could see our stuff inside,” Harris says, explaining how much things have changed since 1999. “Lo and behold, CHAMPS is this mega show everybody wants to attend.”

Krause explained that MJBizCon is even bigger than CHAMPS, and Las Vegas gets pretty busy and wild during those times.

Elevating Functional Glass Art

Harris is the protégé of legendary glass artist Bob Snodgrass and apprenticed for Hans-Joachim Ittig of Wertheimer Glaskunst, a seventh-generation glassblower based in Wertheim, Germany. He also learned or apprenticed under Cesare Toffolo, Dick Marquis, Robert Mickelson, Karen Willinbrink, and Charles Lowrie.

“I’ve always respected artists that have come before me and paved the way in what I consider now a Pop Art genre,” Harris says. “That’s something that I’ve always dreamt about, being in art school. I’m a graduate of the University of Oregon. I’ve always been interested in art, art history, and what goes on in that space. And I feel honored and privileged to be a part of it now through the bongs. I never really thought that I could get there.”

The Dream Factory is an excellent stop in Las Vegas that holds a lot of history for glass art.

“Cannabis has unfolded recreationally and become more and more mainstream,” says Harris. “And it’s allowed us to sell expensive pieces, which gives us time to put into the artwork. All that is kind of a good, perfect storm. The Dream Factory itself, in terms of visiting tourists, is a great destination right near Fremont Street.”

This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of High Times Magazine.

Over the past few months, the Nevada Cannabis Control Board has approved a handful of cannabis consumption lounge licenses. On Feb. 15, the CCB announced that Thrive Cannabis Marketplace’s lounge, called Smoke and Mirrors, is the first to receive its final license in Nevada.

“We’ve marked a lot of ‘firsts’ in Nevada and we’re honored to yet again be at the forefront of Nevada’s cannabis industry by officially launching the first regulated cannabis lounge in the state,” said Thrive Cannabis Marketplace CEO and managing partner, Mitch Britten. “With Smoke and Mirrors, we have created an unparalleled destination for cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy a diverse range of premium products in a really engaging atmosphere.”

The lounge will offer both a “curated selection of premium cannabis products” as well as infused beverages, although alcohol will not be available as according to Nevada state law.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) also released a statement about Thrive, sharing that it “is the first cannabis consumption lounge inspected by Board agents to ensure the facility is adhering to state regulations.” Thrive first received its conditional license in June 2023, and in September, it received a Special Use Permit from the Clark County Zoning Commission. “We are thrilled to be among the first in the state to do so,” Britten said at the time. “This is a huge milestone for us and we can’t wait to finish this incredible new offering in the Vegas valley.” As of Feb. 13, the lounge inspection was completed, which allowed Thrive to receive its final state license for operation.

The CCB also shared that there are a total of 19 lounges that have been approved for a conditional license so far (14 attached to dispensaries and five that are independently located). Smoke and Mirrors will operate in what used to be a strip club, located west of the Strip at 2975 S. Sammy Davis Drive. If all goes according to plan, Smoke and Mirrors will open by the end of the month.

Last month, former CCB executive director Tyler Klimas appeared on Episode 77 of the Weed Wonks podcast. Klimas spoke about the long wait to get consumption lounges rolling, and how more are expected to open in the near future. “It’s an unknown market. There is no blueprint anywhere,” Klimas said. “We see many business plans and projections, but nobody really knows until we open it up. We don’t know how successful it’s going to be, which is very exciting.”

The process has taken much longer than anticipated, but Klimas explained that there are a lot of moving parts connected to this new business opportunity. “Obviously when you’re talking about social consumption, you’ve got local governments playing a huge role in that. You’ve got law enforcement and the anxieties that law enforcement has, deservedly so, around social consumption.”

Planet 13 is the only other consumption lounge conditional license holder that has publicly announced a potential opening date, but so far has not received its final state license for that to occur. It initially announced the renderings for its lounge in November 2023, which is supposed to include VIP booths, bong chandeliers, and cannabis cocktails. We’re thrilled to share our exciting plans for our trailblazing cannabis consumption lounge. From day one, our goal has been to out-Vegas-Vegas, and this is another big step in that direction. It’s an extraordinary space for cannabis novices, connoisseurs, tourists and locals to enjoy cannabis while experiencing world-class entertainment,” said Larry Scheffler, Co-CEO of Planet 13. “One of the main goals for this year was to increase the utilization of the SuperStore to drive more traffic, and revenue while improving cost structure and operating margins. We are executing on that goal while continuing to define Planet 13 as a differentiated retail brand with national recognition.”

The NuWu Dispensary, located on Las Vegas Paiute Tribe land north of downtown Las Vegas, is technically the state’s first operating consumption lounge, which opened in 2019.

The first three conditional licenses were granted to Planet 13, Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, and SoL Cannabis in June 2023. In July, LA Lounge LLC was the first independently located consumption lounge to receive a license, followed by three more licenses grants in August for Deep Roots Harvest, Global Harmony, and KV Group. In October, additional licenses were granted to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., Green Thumb Industries, Inc., Desert Evolution, LLC, Higher* Archy, LLC, NevadaPure, LLC, and TGIG, LLC. As of October, there were 13 total number of conditional license holders, which was followed by six more.

New changes to Nevada’s cannabis law went into effect on Jan. 1, which includes an increase to the possession limit. Previously consumers were limited to possessing just one ounce, and now they can carry up to 2.5 ounces. Also, now adult-use cannabis stores can sell to medical cannabis patients, as no new medical cannabis dispensary licenses will be approved (except for regions where adult-use cannabis has been banned). “That’s one of the big changes, (but) I think there are a bunch of things in the bill that are really designed to be business-friendly and moving our cannabis industry into the next phase,” said Sen. Dallas Harris, a sponsor of the bill that led to the changes.

A new law went into effect in Nevada on January 1 making several changes to the state’s cannabis laws, including a provision that doubles the state’s limit on weed possession. The measure, Senate Bill 277, was passed by Nevada lawmakers this spring before being signed into law by Republican Governor Joe Lombardo on June 14.

Senate Bill 277 makes several significant changes to Nevada’s cannabis regulations. In 2001, the state legalized medical marijuana, followed by the legalization of adult-use cannabis with the passage of Question 2, a 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana in the state for adults 21 and older.

The legislation more than doubles the possession and purchase limits for recreational marijuana in Nevada, raising the cap from one ounce of cannabis to 2.5 ounces. The measure also doubles the limits for cannabis concentrates from one-eighth of an ounce to a quarter ounce.

The legislation also permits all adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Nevada to sell cannabis products to medical marijuana patients. Beginning next year, state cannabis regulators will no longer be able to issue new licenses for medical marijuana businesses, except in areas of the state that have prohibited the operation of recreational cannabis dispensaries.

Democratic state Senator Dallas Harris, the sponsor of the bill, said that allowing medical dispensaries to serve recreational cannabis customers is one of the most significant provisions of Senate Bill 277 for Nevada’s regulated cannabis industry.

“That’s one of the big changes, (but) I think there are a bunch of things in the bill that are really designed to be business-friendly and moving our cannabis industry into the next phase,” said Harris told the Las Vegas Sun after the bill was approved.

Harris added that separating medical and recreational cannabis licenses was needed when adult-use cannabis legalization went into effect. But as the market matures, he said that it makes sense to eliminate some of the red tape in Nevada’s cannabis regulations.

“It’s going to cut down on some of that administrative burden for a lot of our operators, which are generally dual licensees to begin with,” Harris said. “It made sense when we originally set up our structure so that we had separate licenses because we had medical first, then we had adult use. But now given the industry is up on its feet, I think it just makes sense to streamline that process.”

New Law Eases Cannabis Industry Employment Restrictions

Senate Bill 277 also eases a ban on individuals with felony convictions from operating or working at cannabis businesses in Nevada. Under the approved legislation, the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board has been given the authority to issue licenses to businesses with stakeholders that have prior felony convictions if the agency “determines that doing so would not pose a threat to the public health or safety or negatively impact the cannabis industry in this State,” according to the text of the legislation. 

To comply with the change, the board will be required to “impose any conditions and limitations on the granting of an exemption that the Board determines necessary to preserve the public health and safety or mitigate the impact of granting the exemption on the cannabis industry in this State.”

The legislation also amends a ban on those with certain prior felony convictions from being employed in Nevada’s regulated cannabis industry. Under the bill, individuals with such convictions will be permitted to petition the Nevada Cannabis Control Board (CCB) to obtain an agent card that allows them to work at a licensed cannabis business without first having their records expunged. 

“So right now, the CCB is able to receive petitions from folks with felonies and they are given essentially a court-like process that they have to go through,” said Bri Padilla, executive director of the Las Vegas Chamber of Cannabis. “And they are also going to be given a hearing. They’re given a decision by the CCB after a background check and a criminal record pull, then the CCB will advise on whether they’re rehabilitated or not and provide or deny them an agent card for X, Y or Z reason.”

Nevada’s new cannabis reform law also tasks the state Cannabis Advisory Commission with conducting a study to determine the potential effects that ending the federal prohibition of cannabis and removing marijuana from the state’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act would have on the regulated cannabis industry. The legislation also requires state regulators to consider if a proposed change to Nevada’s cannabis regulations “is likely to have an adverse effect on the environment and, if so, whether there are any methods to reduce or eliminate that adverse effect which would not impose an economic burden on holders of an adult-use cannabis establishment license or medical cannabis establishment license.”

Portions of Senate Bill 277 went into effect as soon as the legislation was passed in June. The remainder of the new law, including the increase in the limit on cannabis possession, became effective on January 1.

Nevada officials are continuing to approve more consumption lounge applications, with six more conditional licenses approved by the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) for various cannabis companies.

On Oct. 24, the CCB discussed approval for a variety of consumption lounge applications. The chosen businesses in this round include Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.; Green Thumb Industries, Inc.; Desert Evolution, LLC; Higher* Archy, LLC; NevadaPure, LLC; and TGIG, LLC.

Curaleaf Holdings, one of the biggest cannabis companies in the world, received one of the licenses for its subsidiary, Tryke Companies, which controls Reef Dispensaries. Curaleaf acquired Tryke in October 2022.

Green Thumb Industries is also a large multi-state operator in the cannabis industry, which received a license for its subsidiary, Integral Associates. The company plans to open up a lounge on The Strip.

In June 2022, the CCB announced their decision to approve new regulations for consumption lounge regulation, to “lay groundwork for greater inclusion within Nevada’s cannabis industry.” At the time, they stated that they would eventually issue up to 65 licenses (up to 45 would be connected to existing dispensaries, while the rest would be awarded to independent consumption lounges). In October 2022, the CCB announced that there were 20 prospective consumption lounge applicants in the running for a license. Once approved, licensees have one year to get all of the necessary adjustments and regulatory requirements taken care of in order to open.

In June 2023, the CCB initially approved the first three conditional licenses to Planet 13 Holdings, The Venue at Sol Cannabis, and Cheyenne Medical Sammy Davis dba [doing business as] Thrive Cannabis Marketplace. In July, LA Lounge LLC was awarded another license as the first consumption lounge not tied to a dispensary. By August, three more were approved, including Deep Roots Harvest, Global Harmony, and KV Group.

That brings the current number of approved conditional licenses to 15.

Thrive Cannabis Marketplace CEO Mitch Britten said in September that they’re excited to begin working on their storefront location on The Strip. “We are thrilled to be among the first in the state to do so,” said Britten. “This is a huge milestone for us, and we can’t wait to finish this incredible new offering in the Vegas valley.”

On Nov. 1, Planet 13 Holdings published a press release detailing the progress and concepts for its consumption lounge, called DAZED!. Decorated with “bong chandeliers” and VIP booths for exclusive cannabis-infused cocktails, the venue will have 3,000 square feet of space used to sell food, allow consumption, and feature entertainment. “We’re thrilled to share our exciting plans for our trailblazing cannabis consumption lounge. From day one, our goal has been to out-Vegas-Vegas, and this is another big step in that direction. It’s an extraordinary space for cannabis novices, connoisseurs, tourists and locals to enjoy cannabis while experiencing world-class entertainment,” said Planet 13 Co-CEO, Larry Scheffler. “One of the main goals for this year was to increase the utilization of the SuperStore to drive more traffic, and revenue while improving cost structure and operating margins. We are executing on that goal while continuing to define Planet 13 as a differentiated retail brand with national recognition.” Unsurprisingly, the venue is setting its sights on opening by April 20, 2024.

A few other cannabis consumption lounge licensees intended to begin operation by this summer, but experienced multiple delays.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority stated that 38.8 million people visited Las Vegas alone in 2022, and legal consumption lounges are poised to become a big attractor for many tourists. Other facets of the Nevada cannabis industry are also growing, including the entrance of musician Future and his cannabis line, Evol by Future, which is created in partnership with Redwood Cultivation.

In other states, consumption lounges are not progressing at the same pace as Nevada. Michigan is home to a few consumption lounges, including Kalkusha (located in the city of Kalkaska), Hot Box Social (located in Hazel Park), and Rolling Embers.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently vetoed Assembly Bill 374 which would have allowed cannabis cafes similar to the way that they have previously operated in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The bill was initially introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney earlier in 2023, and would have permitted lounges to sell non-infused, pre-packaged food and drinks to customers. “Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others. And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music,” Haney said in February 2023. “There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal. If an authorized cannabis retail store wants to also sell a cup of coffee and a sandwich, we should allow cities to make that possible and stop holding back these small businesses.”

After vetoing the bill, Newsome explained that the bill conflicted with current California law to provide a smoke-free workplace to any employees in the state. “Protecting the health and safety of workers is paramount. I encourage the author to address this concern in subsequent legislation,” Newsom said. “For this reason, I cannot sign this bill.”

Haney posted a response on X. “The voters of California have already decided to legalize the smoking of cannabis in public dispensaries. AB 374 just allows businesses where smoking is already happening to sell coffee and food and hold live shows,” Haney wrote. “I appreciate and respect the Governor’s concerns about worker’s health. And I’m looking forward to working closely with his office and with labor leaders to make sure we get this right when I introduce the bill again next year.”

Future’s cannabis brand Evol is now available in Nevada in partnership with cultivator Redwood Cultivation, a Sept. 22 announcement reads. After first being announced last April, then conquering California, Nevada marks the next strategic step in expanding Evol to the next state on the list.

As of last Friday, adults in Nevada can purchase eighths of premium pre-packaged Monster Kush, the first product to roll out, with more products from Evol by Future and Redwood Cultivation that will follow in the months ahead.

“Millions of people regard Future as one of the most influential artists of this generation. So we’re thrilled to collaborate with Future and Carma HoldCo to introduce his suite of premium EVOL by Future THC products,” said Paul Schloss, president and CEO of Redwood Cultivation.

“We can’t wait for Q4 of this year when Future’s top-shelf blunts, pre-rolls, and concentrates will be available here in Las Vegas,” said Schloss.

After proving themselves and winning with powerful crosses in the past, and numerous partnerships, Redwood Cultivation will take over Evol’s Nevada operations with new strains to drop soon.

Redwood Cultivation

Redwood Cultivation is led by Schloss, and the company has a 20,000 sq. ft., state of the art cultivation facility that’s primed with automated fertilization, drip irrigation, HVAC, lighting, and a Co2 system. It was originally founded by Harris Rittoff and Cherry Development in 2014. In 2016, Redwood was chosen to be the exclusive distributor in Nevada for Willie’s Reserve, the cannabis company run by Willie Nelson. They’ve also done partnerships with Cheech Marin’s cannabis company.

You can look at Redwood Cultivation’s work in the past to see how the Evol deal will play out. Check out recent strains that Redwood Cultivation dropped prior to Evol, including Scoops ( Gelato x Cookies & Cream x Tina) or Chem Sorbet (GMO x Sherbcrasher). Redwood also sells products like Stacked Decks, packs of pre-rolls designed to sell.

“Future’s influence is second to none. Evol by Future will resonate with millions of cannabis enthusiasts as his music has millions of listeners, and we can’t wait to share Future’s exceptional strains in Nevada with Redwood Cultivation,” said Adam Wilks, CEO of Carma HoldCo.

Why no lineage is immediately available, Monster Kush is typically a hybrid with 20 percent indica-leaning genetics and 80 percent sativa genetics. It has an impressive genetic lineage and spawned from the crossbreeding of Mexican, Colombian, and Thai genetics, along with G13 Hash Plant genetics for power.

Future and the Launch of Evol

High Times caught up with Future last April 20 to discuss Evol and the overall plan to expand.

“Evol was about timing,” Future told High Times last April 20. “I’ve had offers before. But this is different. Evol is about longevity, consistency, hard work, and having a quality product to share with the culture. And it’s got to feel natural. And I’m having fun with it too. And it’s a blessing to be here.”

The company also acknowledged to High Times the hurdles that celebrity-endorsed cannabis brands face, and that consumers want to know who is growing the cannabis.

“Consumers are smart,” said President and Chairman of Carma HoldCo, Chad Bronstein. “They know when someone as hardworking, consistent, influential and selective as Future puts his name on something, it will deliver. And that’s exciting for everyone, his fans, our customers, and the industry at large.”

The partnership with Carma HoldCo is the result of a carefully conceived plan. “As an artist, I strive to enlighten the world with different perspectives and experiences, whether through my lyrics, live performances, or other creative endeavors. With Carma HoldCo, I can apply that creativity to build a new cannabis lifestyle brand that resonates within my community and delivers a high-quality product to my fans and a much wider audience,” Future said in a statement when first announcing Evol.

The company plans to roll out more THC, CBD, and Delta 8/9 THC products to its Nevada operations. But it’s more than just a venture, it’s a plant that is prohibited around the world with laws that have impacted Future directly.

Future’s DJ, Cisco, fought out the hard way that cannabis isn’t tolerated in the Middle East. Cisco shared an experience to MTV in 2015 about his ordeal when he was locked up in jail in Abu Dubai for possessing cannabis. Airport security found weed in his luggage, a familiar scenario for Americans traveling outside of the country. Cisco ended up spending 56 days in a Dubai jail, along with a Taliban member. Officials from the U.S. embassy got involved, but it took them weeks to sort things out.

Check Evol’s finder tool to find out existing locations that carry Future’s cannabis products.

Vancouver, BC, Las Vegas, NV – September 11, 2023  (CSE: OVAT and OTC: OVATF) – Ovation Science Inc. (“Ovation” or the “Company”), with its proprietary topical and transdermal cannabis products powered by its patented skin delivery technology Invisicare®, today announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Planet 13 Holdings, Inc. (CSE:PLTH | OTCQX:PLNHF) (“Planet 13”), a leading vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis company, for the rights to Ovation’s topical/transdermal formulations for the state of Nevada.

Under the terms of the agreement, Planet 13 will have the exclusive manufacturing, sales and marketing rights for Ovation’s topical/transdermal products for Nevada. Ovation will receive royalties based on wholesale sales. Planet 13 owns and operates the world’s largest cannabis dispensary that has become a must-see destination for cannabis connoisseurs and tourists from around the world. Planet 13’s 112,000 square foot SuperStore and entertainment complex is located just off The Strip in Las Vegas. Planet 13 accounts for just under 9-percent of cannabis dispensary revenue for the entire state of Nevada.

“We are very pleased to reach this agreement with Planet 13, said Terry Howlett, President of Ovation. “Not only does Planet have the world’s largest dispensary but they have a robust wholesale division which services other dispensaries throughout Nevada. Additionally, as Planet 13 has extensive past success with Ovation’s topicals, it is ideally positioned to ensure a rapid and optimized re-launch of our products. We believe this partnership will be a game-changer for the marketplace and will generate maximum revenue in Nevada and value for our shareholders.”

“Our Planet 13 Las Vegas SuperStore has been the launchpad for many of the best cannabis brands because of the popularity of our store as a destination and the memorable experiences our guests have each time they visit,” said David Farris, VP of Sales & Marketing, Planet 13. “We look forward to this opportunity with Ovation Science and bringing our customers highly effective topical products both in our dispensary, through our wholesale accounts and online.”

Ovation leverages its expertise in the pharmaceutical industry by using its patented skin delivery technology Invisicare® in its highly effective, proprietary products. Invisicare, backed by over 20 years of research and development, enables substantially more CBD and THC and other cannabinoids to be delivered to and through the skin, which translates into better results for patients. In a recent in-house study, Ovation compared five CBD brand leaders to Ovation Science’s topical CBD cream. All competitor creams tested release less than 2% CBD compared to 40% release from Ovation Science.

In conjunction with this announcement, the Company announces the termination of the License Agreement with LightHouse Strategies, LLC for the state of Nevada. The Company continues to have active discussions with multiple parties, seeking additional partners for the licensing rights in other US states and countries.

Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Planet 13 Holdings Inc.

Planet 13 is a vertically integrated cannabis company, with award-winning cultivation, production and dispensary operations in Las Vegas and in Orange County, California. Planet 13 also holds a medical marijuana treatment center license in Florida and a dispensing license in the Chicago-region of Illinois. Planet 13’s mission is to build a recognizable global brand known for world-class dispensary operations and a creator of innovative cannabis products. Planet 13’s shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol PLTH and on the OTCQX under the symbol PLNHF.

About Ovation Science Inc.Ovation Science Inc. is a research and development company that develops topical and transdermal CBD/THC and other cannabinoid products which are out-licensed and also distributed under Ovation’s own brands; ARLO CBD Beauty and InVibe® MD (“wellness” line); all powered by its patented Invisicare® skin delivery technology. Invisicare enhances the delivery of ingredients to and through the skin and is protected by patents and proprietary formulations which cannot be duplicated. With over 20 years of pharmaceutical drug delivery experience, Ovation’s management and science team have created a unique pipeline of over thirty proprietary medical / wellness topical and transdermal products along with a line of anti-aging / beauty formulas. Ovation earns revenues from royalties on licensees’ sales and the sale of Invisicare, along with revenue from its own product sales. Ovation has offices in Vancouver, Canada and Las Vegas, USA.

Stock symbols:

CSE under the symbol OVAT and OVATF in the USA on OTC Markets.

Websites: CORPORATE: ovationscience.com

WELLNESS: invibemd.com, BEAUTY: arlocbdbeauty.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In particular there is no assurance of sales and acceptance of its products in any of the state cited, continued sales in dispensaries or in retail markets or expansion to other states. There are no guarantees of future performance or changes to regulations. Ovation Science Inc. cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual results may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Ovation Science Inc.’s control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Ovation disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information to reflect future results, events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, OTC Markets nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

INQUIRIES:

Doreen McMorran: doreen@ovationscience.com

PH: 604-283-0903 ext. 4

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.