- Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Keith, Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum, Hyderabad, Sind responding to the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1894-95
Social consumption areas are one of the most important requirements of legalized recreational cannabis use. They are an indicator of an evolved cannabis culture. In earlier times, before cannabis prohibition, it was common in places with a cannabis culture for people to get together and smoke cannabis as commonly as they smoke tobacco these days. The smoking of cannabis was itself, in places like India, a community experience where a group of individuals sat around in a circle and passed a chillum packed with ganja around a few times. The solitary smoking of ganja was definitely there but social smoking was equally, if not more, common. Every evening, friends gathered under a tree, or some such pleasant spot, smoked chillums and relaxed at the end of a day's work, not unlike the catching up for a pint of ale at the local pub after a hard day's work that happens in much of Europe.
In 1894-95, one of the questions posed by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission to witnesses was question 30. (a) - "To what extent is the consumption of each of these three drugs practised in solitude or in company?" The following thoughts come to mind. Consuming a herb that offers so many benefits - besides intoxication - was not something that anybody in India was ever ashamed of, until the 19th century that is, when the propaganda machine started rolling, and extensive attempts were made to portray the consumption of cannabis - especially ganja or charas - as a distasteful, despicable, criminal and evil thing to do. Once the propaganda took root - mainly among the ruling upper classes and castes - all those who earlier never gave a thought as to whether they smoked ganja in public or private, now started smoking ganja and charas discretely and in private as if it was an act unsuitable in public - equivalent to sex, masturbating, defecating or taking a bath. This was especially the case with the ruling upper classes and castes for whom public image was paramount. For the majority of Indians - those who belonged to the working classes, the lower classes and lower castes - ganja or charas consumption was still just as acceptable a social act as drinking a beverage or eating in public.
From the evidence given by witnesses to the Hemp Commission, it would appear that as a rule ganja was consumed in public. Babu Gobind Chandra Das, Baidya, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Malda, says, 'Several ganja smokers with whom I discussed this question were surprised at my enquiries as if it was absurd to even suppose that a man can smoke ganja in solitude. One ganja smoker who spends 4 annas per diem for the drug assures me that he would not be able to consume a pice worth of ganja if he had not his two or three chosen companions to smoke with.' Rai Bahadur Kanny Loll Dey, C.I.E., late Chemical Examiner to the Government of Bengal, Calcutta, says 'It is a remarkable fact that in this country at least the votaries of ganja, as a rule, always smoke the drug in company and seldom singly. People sit in a ring and pass the huka round, nobody taking more than one or two long-sustained puffs.' Babu Akshay Kumar Maitra, Secretary, Rajshahi Association, says. 'The consumption of ganja is generally practised in company. A smoker, instead of finishing one chillum (a pipeful) all by himself, prefers to share it with his associates. He takes a few whiffs first, then passes it on to another to take rest, and then smokes again, and when it is over, enjoys a pipe of tobacco with his associates.' Rev. H. F. LaFlamme, Canadian Baptist Mission, Yellamanchili, Vizagapatam, says, 'Ganja is smoked in company as a rule, the pipe passing from mouth to mouth like the pipe of peace amongst North American Indians. Excessive consumers smoke at all times and use the drug mixed with tobacco, the same as others use tobacco, Bhang is generally taken in solitude.' Rao Bahadur Narayan Ganesh Deshpande, Brahmin, Deputy Collector, Belgaum, says, 'Consumers of these drugs are very fond of company. They will indulge alone when they cannot afford the expense or cannot get company. It is said larger the circle, greater the enjoyment. The consumers are very obliging to each other in this respect.' Khan Sahib Nasarvanji Edalji Sethna, Parsi, Abkari Inspector, Satara, says, 'A smoker of ganja would prefer to smoke in company if a smoker friend or two happen to be near him. If not, he will smoke in solitude. Ghota and dudhia are drinks which would mostly be consumed in company. By previous appoint-ment there would be a company of friends at a particular place, when the ghota or dudhia would be prepared and drunk.' Surgeon-Major K. R. Kirtikar, Civil Surgeon, Thana, and Medical Officer, Thana Depot and District Jail, says, 'When in company, the chillum goes round from mouth to mouth in the manner of the " loving-cup " of wine drinkers. Moderate smokers, when by themselves or in a company of three or four, seldom exceed a couple of chillums. With regard to bhang, the man who drinks it in solitude must be looked upon as "given to it." In company bhang is drunk solely for pleasure and for the lively talk that follows such potions. Such persons seldom exceed half a tola per head.' Rao Bahadur Alumal Trikandas Bhojwani, Deputy Educational Inspector, Karachi, says, 'Bhang is in the main drunk by the male sex; but women, too, in the hotter parts of the district have taken to the drinking of bhang as a cooling draught. It is not unusual now for children in Karachi town to drink bhang during the chalhio or autumn, when it is publicly placed out in large earthen pitchers and offered for drink to whosoever asks for it by people who think it a charitable act to do so.' Rev. W. H. Campbell, Missionary, London Missionary Society, Cuddapah, says 'Generally in company. There is a sort of freemasonry among ganja smokers, and they usually club together to purchase the drug and consume it in company.'
Despite the absurdity of the question as to whether cannabis was consumed in solitude or in company, witnesses - belonging, by and large, to the ruling class elites - gave their dutiful answers to the question posed by their masters. We find all kinds of responses, including: the high castes and classes smoke in solitude whereas the lower classes smoke in company; religious mendicants smoke in solitude whereas other people smoke in company; x percent smoked in solitude while y percent smoked in company; etc. As examples we can see the following evidence. Babu Mathura Mohan Sirkar, Inspector of Police, Jhenida, District Jessore, states that "Men of some respectability and sons of gentlemen consume these drugs in solitude, but the habitual consumers of higher class of people form a company and smoke in solitude too, but others consume it publicly and do not care for society." Mr. Tara Dass Banerji, President, District Council, Raipur, says "People of the better sort invariably smoke ganja in solitude; bhang is drunk as "thandai" more openly, but not in company in the sense that wine is drunk by Europeans in company except it be on festive occasions where young men drink it together in garden houses or "baithak khanas. The lower classes do smoke ganja in company, I believe, more for economy than for talk."
From the evidence given by witnesses to the Hemp Commission, it would appear that as a rule ganja was consumed in public. Babu Gobind Chandra Das, Baidya, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Malda, says, 'Several ganja smokers with whom I discussed this question were surprised at my enquiries as if it was absurd to even suppose that a man can smoke ganja in solitude. One ganja smoker who spends 4 annas per diem for the drug assures me that he would not be able to consume a pice worth of ganja if he had not his two or three chosen companions to smoke with.' Rai Bahadur Kanny Loll Dey, C.I.E., late Chemical Examiner to the Government of Bengal, Calcutta, says 'It is a remarkable fact that in this country at least the votaries of ganja, as a rule, always smoke the drug in company and seldom singly. People sit in a ring and pass the huka round, nobody taking more than one or two long-sustained puffs.' Babu Akshay Kumar Maitra, Secretary, Rajshahi Association, says. 'The consumption of ganja is generally practised in company. A smoker, instead of finishing one chillum (a pipeful) all by himself, prefers to share it with his associates. He takes a few whiffs first, then passes it on to another to take rest, and then smokes again, and when it is over, enjoys a pipe of tobacco with his associates.' Rev. H. F. LaFlamme, Canadian Baptist Mission, Yellamanchili, Vizagapatam, says, 'Ganja is smoked in company as a rule, the pipe passing from mouth to mouth like the pipe of peace amongst North American Indians. Excessive consumers smoke at all times and use the drug mixed with tobacco, the same as others use tobacco, Bhang is generally taken in solitude.' Rao Bahadur Narayan Ganesh Deshpande, Brahmin, Deputy Collector, Belgaum, says, 'Consumers of these drugs are very fond of company. They will indulge alone when they cannot afford the expense or cannot get company. It is said larger the circle, greater the enjoyment. The consumers are very obliging to each other in this respect.' Khan Sahib Nasarvanji Edalji Sethna, Parsi, Abkari Inspector, Satara, says, 'A smoker of ganja would prefer to smoke in company if a smoker friend or two happen to be near him. If not, he will smoke in solitude. Ghota and dudhia are drinks which would mostly be consumed in company. By previous appoint-ment there would be a company of friends at a particular place, when the ghota or dudhia would be prepared and drunk.' Surgeon-Major K. R. Kirtikar, Civil Surgeon, Thana, and Medical Officer, Thana Depot and District Jail, says, 'When in company, the chillum goes round from mouth to mouth in the manner of the " loving-cup " of wine drinkers. Moderate smokers, when by themselves or in a company of three or four, seldom exceed a couple of chillums. With regard to bhang, the man who drinks it in solitude must be looked upon as "given to it." In company bhang is drunk solely for pleasure and for the lively talk that follows such potions. Such persons seldom exceed half a tola per head.' Rao Bahadur Alumal Trikandas Bhojwani, Deputy Educational Inspector, Karachi, says, 'Bhang is in the main drunk by the male sex; but women, too, in the hotter parts of the district have taken to the drinking of bhang as a cooling draught. It is not unusual now for children in Karachi town to drink bhang during the chalhio or autumn, when it is publicly placed out in large earthen pitchers and offered for drink to whosoever asks for it by people who think it a charitable act to do so.' Rev. W. H. Campbell, Missionary, London Missionary Society, Cuddapah, says 'Generally in company. There is a sort of freemasonry among ganja smokers, and they usually club together to purchase the drug and consume it in company.'
Despite the absurdity of the question as to whether cannabis was consumed in solitude or in company, witnesses - belonging, by and large, to the ruling class elites - gave their dutiful answers to the question posed by their masters. We find all kinds of responses, including: the high castes and classes smoke in solitude whereas the lower classes smoke in company; religious mendicants smoke in solitude whereas other people smoke in company; x percent smoked in solitude while y percent smoked in company; etc. As examples we can see the following evidence. Babu Mathura Mohan Sirkar, Inspector of Police, Jhenida, District Jessore, states that "Men of some respectability and sons of gentlemen consume these drugs in solitude, but the habitual consumers of higher class of people form a company and smoke in solitude too, but others consume it publicly and do not care for society." Mr. Tara Dass Banerji, President, District Council, Raipur, says "People of the better sort invariably smoke ganja in solitude; bhang is drunk as "thandai" more openly, but not in company in the sense that wine is drunk by Europeans in company except it be on festive occasions where young men drink it together in garden houses or "baithak khanas. The lower classes do smoke ganja in company, I believe, more for economy than for talk."
There seems to be confusion among the witnesses themselves to the absurd
question by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of whether ganja is
consumed in public or in solitude. Hence, we find contradictory
statements. While most ignorant witnesses seem to think it is largely a
social act, others seem to think it is a private act. Rev. W. V.
Higgins, Missionary, Parlakimedi, Ganjam District, says in contradiction
to most other witnesses that, 'Most of the smoking and drinking
seems to be done in solitude, but there are public places of resort
where the drugs are consumed in company.' Khan Bahadur Dossabroy
Pestonjee, Parsi, Assistant Surgeon, Parakh Dispensary, Surat, and
Honorary Assistant Surgeon to His Excellency the Viceroy, says, 'The
consumption of each of these drugs is generally practised in solitude
except in the case of charas, which is invariably smoked in shops and in
the company of habitual comrades.' Rao Saheb Shesho Krisna Mudkavi, Mamlatdar of Taluka Bijapur, Bijapur,
says, 'It seems necessary to specify here the classes consuming the drug
in solitude and those consuming it in company. Ascetics and bairagis
wishing to secure concentration of mind to devotion and those wishing to
keep their vice out of knowledge to others use the drug in solitude.
These classes do not generally associate with society. Labouring
classes, who have ordinarily to come into contact with their
fellow-labourers, use it in company to a moderate extent; and some of
them use it also in solitude in their own houses to an extent sufficient
to satisfy their cravings. The proportion of consumers in solitude is
very small.'
In reality, a person smoked his ganja whenever he chose and wherever he chose, irrespective of whether he was alone or had company. It might start with a smoke in the morning in solitude, smoking with friends later in the day, and finally ending with a smoke after dinner, again in solitude before going to bed. Babu Jagat Kishor Acharjea Chauduri, Brahmin, Zamindar, Muktagacha, District Mymensingh, says "The consumption of each of these drugs is mostly practised in solitude, though often habitual ganja-smokers who are neighbours, come to meet in certain parts of the day to pass their lazy hours in pleasant talks, refreshing and exhilarating themselves on the fumes of ganja." This is much like the western man, who smokes his tobacco or drinks his beer or tea, in a similar pattern. The question appears to me, as an attempt to create a moral angle around ganja smoking by trying to establish that people were ashamed of smoking ganja and so they hid and committed the offense. This was perhaps, the case with the ruling elites who wanted to suck up to the British and project themselves as superior human beings to the lower classes and castes. Only some of the witnesses gave responses that reflected the reality on this subject. Surgeon-Captain D. Prain, Curator of the Herbarium, and Librarian, Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta says, "I have not given attention to this point, but I have seen so few cases of excessive use of the drugs that its importance did not occur to me. So far as moderate use of ganja is concerned, the point is of no importance; the substance is smoked when required, whether the smoker be alone or in company. The moderate use of bhang is essentially a 'social' act." Rev. J. P. Jones, Missionary, Sylhet, says 'Ganja is used by the generality of men when at their work, and it is a matter of indifference to them whether they are alone or in company. Bhang (or a preparation of bhang) is chiefly used in company.' Rev. H. J. Goffin, Missionary, Kadiri, Cuddapah District, says, 'There is very little solitude about a Hindu's practice of anything. He smokes his ganja anywhere and at any time.'
In reality, a person smoked his ganja whenever he chose and wherever he chose, irrespective of whether he was alone or had company. It might start with a smoke in the morning in solitude, smoking with friends later in the day, and finally ending with a smoke after dinner, again in solitude before going to bed. Babu Jagat Kishor Acharjea Chauduri, Brahmin, Zamindar, Muktagacha, District Mymensingh, says "The consumption of each of these drugs is mostly practised in solitude, though often habitual ganja-smokers who are neighbours, come to meet in certain parts of the day to pass their lazy hours in pleasant talks, refreshing and exhilarating themselves on the fumes of ganja." This is much like the western man, who smokes his tobacco or drinks his beer or tea, in a similar pattern. The question appears to me, as an attempt to create a moral angle around ganja smoking by trying to establish that people were ashamed of smoking ganja and so they hid and committed the offense. This was perhaps, the case with the ruling elites who wanted to suck up to the British and project themselves as superior human beings to the lower classes and castes. Only some of the witnesses gave responses that reflected the reality on this subject. Surgeon-Captain D. Prain, Curator of the Herbarium, and Librarian, Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta says, "I have not given attention to this point, but I have seen so few cases of excessive use of the drugs that its importance did not occur to me. So far as moderate use of ganja is concerned, the point is of no importance; the substance is smoked when required, whether the smoker be alone or in company. The moderate use of bhang is essentially a 'social' act." Rev. J. P. Jones, Missionary, Sylhet, says 'Ganja is used by the generality of men when at their work, and it is a matter of indifference to them whether they are alone or in company. Bhang (or a preparation of bhang) is chiefly used in company.' Rev. H. J. Goffin, Missionary, Kadiri, Cuddapah District, says, 'There is very little solitude about a Hindu's practice of anything. He smokes his ganja anywhere and at any time.'
Before cannabis regulation started in 19th century India, it was common
for people - especially of the working classes - to meet in places such
as village squares, temple compounds, under trees and other such social
gathering places at the end of a day's work and smoke their ganja. Most
people are unaware, or forget the fact, that tobacco was introduced in
India around the 17th or 18th century by Europeans who discovered it
among the Native Americans. Indians, on the other hand, had been smoking
cannabis for thousands of years. They smoked cannabis much like how the
world smokes tobacco today, without any shame or guilt attached to it
since nobody had ever said or thought that it was a despicable habit that only the
lowest classes and castes practiced. Cannabis was in fact India's
primary entheogen, medicine and intoxicant, used largely by the poorest classes in India, its labouring and working classes, the spiritual
mendicants of all religions, and the indigenous communities. Adhar Singh
Gour, Kshattri, Barrister-at-law, Hoshangabad, says 'Ganja or bhang
are generally used in company. One always notices a few dambhais
associate smokers clustered round a devotee; and during the hot months
it is quite a common practice for a few friends to get together and go
out to a garden for a picnic or on the banks of a river, when each man
gets his share of a lota of the aromatic bhang, which is prepared on the
spot.' Mr. J. Thomson, Collector of Chingleput, says, 'Ganja
smoking is practised in company, generally in matams, etc., where the
fanatics or the mendicants assemble while halting during their
pilgrimage. Bhang, when consumed by habitual consumers, is done in their
households in solitude generally, except on occasions of festivities ;
such as the last day of Dhasara, the Rajputs make a treat of it to their
friends and relatives.' M. R. R. Dewan Bahadur S Venkata Ramadas Naidu, Deputy Collector, Godavari, says 'Ganja
is smoked publicly in bairagi mattams and such other places. Company is
preferred to solitude. At home it is smoked stealthily, but even there
company has its fascination.' Saiyid Mahmud alias Hakeem Nhannay Mian, Medical Practitioner, Cuddapah, says, 'Ganja
and bhang is used publicly in common bhangar khanas and as well as
privately in one's own place. The exact number of consumers has not as
yet been ascertained.' Yashvant Nilkanth, Patana Prabhu,
Superintendent, Office of Survey Commissioner, and Director of Land
Records and Agriculture, Bombay, says, 'The poor and the idle
generally meet at a temple or some other public place and indulge in
these drugs. Sometimes they meet at the house of a well-to-do smoker or
drinker who can afford to stand treat and does not object to their
company. Such places of meeting are called " ganjacha akhada " or "
bhangecha akhada" as the case may be, and the ganja smoker is called a '
ganjekas ' or ' ganjad ' and the bhang drinker ' bhangya 'or '
bhangad'.' Surgeon-Major W. G. King, Acting Sanitary Commissioner, Nadias, says, 'In large populations, but
few will be found who indulge to an extent to secure the full effects.
These resort to ganja dens, where both men and women are found.'
But this smoking of ganja in company was not to remain so for long, as the ruling upper classes and castes pressurized the people, stepping up the anti-ganja propaganda - including that it had harmful physical and moral effects, it caused insanity, and that it promoted crime - in the name of modern education and social reform as espoused by the British colonists. Gradually, with ever increasing ganja regulation by the British administration, harassment from police and informers, as well as the constant propaganda that ganja was evil, common public social consumption areas gradually reduced and became restricted to the retail outlets where ganja or charas was sold. The evidence of Babu Madhava Chandra Chatterjee, Brahmin, Pleader, District Court, Dinajpur, corroborates this fact. He says that "As regards ganja, the shops where it is sold are almost always used by several people at a time for the purpose of smoking. Indeed, they are places where the largest number of people necessarily meet together, and whatever be the object of their going there, if they are smokers, they join, and are taken in by the company that might be already sitting from before. Except by habitual drinkers, bhang is always drunk in company, and even habitual drinkers like to have companions if they can get." Babu Madhava Chandra Chatterjee, Brahmin, Pleader, District Court, Dinajpur, says, 'Usually these three drugs are consumed in solitude, but in localities where more people addicted to the drugs are available, the consumers prefer to, and they do generally, form groups and companies in order to enjoy themselves better. As regards ganja, the shops where it is sold are almost always used by several people at a time for the purpose of smoking. Indeed, they are places where the largest number of people necessarily meet together, and whatever be the object of their going there, if they are smokers, they join, and are taken in by the company that might be already sitting from before. Except by habitual drinkers, bhang is always drunk in company, and even habitual drinkers like to have companions if they can get.'
The spiritual mendicants - who were among the largest classes of cannabis consumers in India - however did not change the way that they smoked their ganja, irrespective of the regulatory policies of the ruling administration. Baldevdas, Brahmin, Priest of Hanuman Math, Rajahmundry, says 'Bairagis, gosains, sanyasis, etc., use it publicly and in company'. Mr. C. G. Dodgson, Assistant Magistrate and Collector, Khandesh, says, 'The largest class of consumers, however, i.e., fakirs, gosains, etc., generally consume them in company.' Rao Bahadur Bhimbhai Kirpa Ram, Brahmin, Huzur Deputy Collector of Surat, says, 'Bhang is drunk openly; no dishonor is attached to it; occasional drinkers do not drink in solitude. Moderate and excessive habitual consumers drink singly, if there is no company. Mendicants smoke ganja publicly, though shame is attached to it.' Rao Bahadur Sitaram Damodar, Huzur Deputy Collector, Khandesh, says, 'Bhang and ganja is consumed chiefly by gosavis, bairagis, fakirs, and other religious mendicant classes. It is consumed to a considerable extent by banias, Marwaris, and pardeshis. Now and then a Kunbi or Brahmin may be seen smoking ganja or drinking bhang; but the practice is not common. Among the Brahmins and the higher classes it is carried on in solitude, as it is considered a vice.' Waman Ganesh, Tahsildar, Wun, says, 'Bairagis, fakirs, etc., use any of these drugs in company consisting of four or five members.'
With increasing anti-ganja propaganda among the ruling and upper classes in the 19th century, we find that more people were starting to consume ganja or charas in solitude. This was especially true for the elites, who always felt that ganja and charas were the drugs of the lowest classes and castes. With bhang, however, it was different since bhang enjoyed the stamp of approval of the upper classes and castes. The upper classes and castes viewed ganja as shameful, but bhang as respectable, showing the ignorance and hypocrisy of these upper classes and castes regarding the same plant that produced both ganja (the flowers) and bhang (the leaves). Khan Bahadur Ratanji Erdalji Kanga, Parsi, Deputy Collector and Magistrate, Dharwar, says 'Ganja is mostly consumed in company, and only the high caste classes consume it in solitude for avoiding public censure.' Babu Pran Kumar Das, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector and Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Burdwan, says 'All these three drugs are generally taken by the great body of the consumers in company, but the better classes smoke ganja in solitude, as it is considered unbecoming for men of better means to smoke it. Bhang is taken by better classes in company.' Yashvant Nilkanth, Patana Prabhu, Superintendent, Office of Survey Commissioner, and Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay, says, 'The consumption of these drugs is practised both in solitude and in company. The well-to-do and the respectable, who value public opinion, generally use these drugs in private.' Mr. F. T. V. Austin, District Superintendent of Police, Surat, says, 'Among the lower classes who are addicted to smoking ganja or drinking bhang, both are generally practised in company, and while among the better classes the smoking of ganja is considered disreputable, the drinking of bhang among one's friends is not so regarded.' Mahendra Nath Roy, Resident Medical Officer, General Hospital, Rangoon, says, 'Ganja and charas smoking is considered degrading in the Bengal society, and consequently they are not smoked in public; but when smokers meet they smoke together, and generally there is a place where they meet and smoke. Bhang is consumed in public, as sanctioned in the social custom mentioned under paragraph 32; but it must be mentioned that a son using anything intoxicating (even smoking common tobacco) before his father or men of that position is not sanctioned by good manners.' It is quite obvious to see that the lower classes knew how to get the best out of the plant through its flowers as ganja, whereas the higher classes settled for the leaves thinking that they were superior. This is mainly due to the ignorance of the higher classes and castes, who came into India much later than the indigenous communities who had always used the cannabis plant and knew how to extract the best out of it, unlike the later migrants who only took up cannabis use after they discovered it in India. Being the ruling elites, however, the ones who set the rules turned their ignorance and absurdity into something morally superior and fashionable, and used their very ignorance to harass and discriminate against the indigenous communities.
Slowly, with increasing regulation and vilification of ganja consumption, even the retail outlets were reduced and completely eliminated. Many of the ruling upper class and caste elites who provided evidence to the Hemp Commission believed that the social consumption areas of cannabis users were places where rebellion was fomented against the authorities and the established power structures. This led to an increased crackdown by the authorities on whatever social consumption areas remained after strict regulation tightened the noose around the social consumption of cannabis. Babu Hari Hrishna Mazumdar, Baidya, Zamindar, Islampur, District Murshidabad, says 'In most cases the consumption of each of these three drugs is practised in company. Generally some men assemble together in a place for the purpose of smoking ganja, which is called "ganjar adda". Here they talk on various subjects and concoct plans for the fulfilment of their evil intentions, Bad characters generally assemble in such an adda.' Today, with ganja having been criminalized, most smoking is in solitude, and even if practiced by groups, it is hidden from public view for fear of police and social harassment. Some of these smoking clubs still exist in India today, but they are discrete and hidden from the general public for fear of informants and police harassment, in the case of the lower classes. In the case of the rich and powerful - who enjoy complete immunity from police action - these smoking clubs are quite exclusive. In the west, where ganja is increasingly becoming legal, one of the main policy-making decisions involves the creation of social consumption areas where people can sit down and enjoy their smokes and cannabis beverages either in solitude or in company. The rules have been tweaked, where ganja has been legalized, so that any place where an individual can smoke tobacco is also a place where ganja or charas can be smoked. In many places - such as in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Malta - smoking clubs exist. Club members are allowed to grow and share their cannabis among themselves. The physical location of the club provides a social consumption area for its members. These clubs are generally restricted to natives of the region and are, I believe, quite exclusive. I believe that many such clubs existed in India in the past, the so-called "ganja-addas." According to Ramchandra Krishna Kothavale, Brahmin, Inamdur, Taluka Wai, in Satara District "There are shops, or say houses, where ganja is smoked and in company of other men of the same vice. These places are strictly private."
But this smoking of ganja in company was not to remain so for long, as the ruling upper classes and castes pressurized the people, stepping up the anti-ganja propaganda - including that it had harmful physical and moral effects, it caused insanity, and that it promoted crime - in the name of modern education and social reform as espoused by the British colonists. Gradually, with ever increasing ganja regulation by the British administration, harassment from police and informers, as well as the constant propaganda that ganja was evil, common public social consumption areas gradually reduced and became restricted to the retail outlets where ganja or charas was sold. The evidence of Babu Madhava Chandra Chatterjee, Brahmin, Pleader, District Court, Dinajpur, corroborates this fact. He says that "As regards ganja, the shops where it is sold are almost always used by several people at a time for the purpose of smoking. Indeed, they are places where the largest number of people necessarily meet together, and whatever be the object of their going there, if they are smokers, they join, and are taken in by the company that might be already sitting from before. Except by habitual drinkers, bhang is always drunk in company, and even habitual drinkers like to have companions if they can get." Babu Madhava Chandra Chatterjee, Brahmin, Pleader, District Court, Dinajpur, says, 'Usually these three drugs are consumed in solitude, but in localities where more people addicted to the drugs are available, the consumers prefer to, and they do generally, form groups and companies in order to enjoy themselves better. As regards ganja, the shops where it is sold are almost always used by several people at a time for the purpose of smoking. Indeed, they are places where the largest number of people necessarily meet together, and whatever be the object of their going there, if they are smokers, they join, and are taken in by the company that might be already sitting from before. Except by habitual drinkers, bhang is always drunk in company, and even habitual drinkers like to have companions if they can get.'
The spiritual mendicants - who were among the largest classes of cannabis consumers in India - however did not change the way that they smoked their ganja, irrespective of the regulatory policies of the ruling administration. Baldevdas, Brahmin, Priest of Hanuman Math, Rajahmundry, says 'Bairagis, gosains, sanyasis, etc., use it publicly and in company'. Mr. C. G. Dodgson, Assistant Magistrate and Collector, Khandesh, says, 'The largest class of consumers, however, i.e., fakirs, gosains, etc., generally consume them in company.' Rao Bahadur Bhimbhai Kirpa Ram, Brahmin, Huzur Deputy Collector of Surat, says, 'Bhang is drunk openly; no dishonor is attached to it; occasional drinkers do not drink in solitude. Moderate and excessive habitual consumers drink singly, if there is no company. Mendicants smoke ganja publicly, though shame is attached to it.' Rao Bahadur Sitaram Damodar, Huzur Deputy Collector, Khandesh, says, 'Bhang and ganja is consumed chiefly by gosavis, bairagis, fakirs, and other religious mendicant classes. It is consumed to a considerable extent by banias, Marwaris, and pardeshis. Now and then a Kunbi or Brahmin may be seen smoking ganja or drinking bhang; but the practice is not common. Among the Brahmins and the higher classes it is carried on in solitude, as it is considered a vice.' Waman Ganesh, Tahsildar, Wun, says, 'Bairagis, fakirs, etc., use any of these drugs in company consisting of four or five members.'
With increasing anti-ganja propaganda among the ruling and upper classes in the 19th century, we find that more people were starting to consume ganja or charas in solitude. This was especially true for the elites, who always felt that ganja and charas were the drugs of the lowest classes and castes. With bhang, however, it was different since bhang enjoyed the stamp of approval of the upper classes and castes. The upper classes and castes viewed ganja as shameful, but bhang as respectable, showing the ignorance and hypocrisy of these upper classes and castes regarding the same plant that produced both ganja (the flowers) and bhang (the leaves). Khan Bahadur Ratanji Erdalji Kanga, Parsi, Deputy Collector and Magistrate, Dharwar, says 'Ganja is mostly consumed in company, and only the high caste classes consume it in solitude for avoiding public censure.' Babu Pran Kumar Das, Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector and Personal Assistant to the Commissioner of Burdwan, says 'All these three drugs are generally taken by the great body of the consumers in company, but the better classes smoke ganja in solitude, as it is considered unbecoming for men of better means to smoke it. Bhang is taken by better classes in company.' Yashvant Nilkanth, Patana Prabhu, Superintendent, Office of Survey Commissioner, and Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay, says, 'The consumption of these drugs is practised both in solitude and in company. The well-to-do and the respectable, who value public opinion, generally use these drugs in private.' Mr. F. T. V. Austin, District Superintendent of Police, Surat, says, 'Among the lower classes who are addicted to smoking ganja or drinking bhang, both are generally practised in company, and while among the better classes the smoking of ganja is considered disreputable, the drinking of bhang among one's friends is not so regarded.' Mahendra Nath Roy, Resident Medical Officer, General Hospital, Rangoon, says, 'Ganja and charas smoking is considered degrading in the Bengal society, and consequently they are not smoked in public; but when smokers meet they smoke together, and generally there is a place where they meet and smoke. Bhang is consumed in public, as sanctioned in the social custom mentioned under paragraph 32; but it must be mentioned that a son using anything intoxicating (even smoking common tobacco) before his father or men of that position is not sanctioned by good manners.' It is quite obvious to see that the lower classes knew how to get the best out of the plant through its flowers as ganja, whereas the higher classes settled for the leaves thinking that they were superior. This is mainly due to the ignorance of the higher classes and castes, who came into India much later than the indigenous communities who had always used the cannabis plant and knew how to extract the best out of it, unlike the later migrants who only took up cannabis use after they discovered it in India. Being the ruling elites, however, the ones who set the rules turned their ignorance and absurdity into something morally superior and fashionable, and used their very ignorance to harass and discriminate against the indigenous communities.
Slowly, with increasing regulation and vilification of ganja consumption, even the retail outlets were reduced and completely eliminated. Many of the ruling upper class and caste elites who provided evidence to the Hemp Commission believed that the social consumption areas of cannabis users were places where rebellion was fomented against the authorities and the established power structures. This led to an increased crackdown by the authorities on whatever social consumption areas remained after strict regulation tightened the noose around the social consumption of cannabis. Babu Hari Hrishna Mazumdar, Baidya, Zamindar, Islampur, District Murshidabad, says 'In most cases the consumption of each of these three drugs is practised in company. Generally some men assemble together in a place for the purpose of smoking ganja, which is called "ganjar adda". Here they talk on various subjects and concoct plans for the fulfilment of their evil intentions, Bad characters generally assemble in such an adda.' Today, with ganja having been criminalized, most smoking is in solitude, and even if practiced by groups, it is hidden from public view for fear of police and social harassment. Some of these smoking clubs still exist in India today, but they are discrete and hidden from the general public for fear of informants and police harassment, in the case of the lower classes. In the case of the rich and powerful - who enjoy complete immunity from police action - these smoking clubs are quite exclusive. In the west, where ganja is increasingly becoming legal, one of the main policy-making decisions involves the creation of social consumption areas where people can sit down and enjoy their smokes and cannabis beverages either in solitude or in company. The rules have been tweaked, where ganja has been legalized, so that any place where an individual can smoke tobacco is also a place where ganja or charas can be smoked. In many places - such as in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Malta - smoking clubs exist. Club members are allowed to grow and share their cannabis among themselves. The physical location of the club provides a social consumption area for its members. These clubs are generally restricted to natives of the region and are, I believe, quite exclusive. I believe that many such clubs existed in India in the past, the so-called "ganja-addas." According to Ramchandra Krishna Kothavale, Brahmin, Inamdur, Taluka Wai, in Satara District "There are shops, or say houses, where ganja is smoked and in company of other men of the same vice. These places are strictly private."
The way in which the cannabis consumption - that was an intrinsic part of India's social, cultural and spiritual fabric used India's poorest classes who formed the vast majority - was strangulated can be seen in the stages of regulation. From a stage where cannabis consumption was so widespread, being used in company and in solitude, in public and in private, it went to a stage where cannabis consumers were only allowed to smoke at the retail outlets and 'ganja dens'. From there, with the elimination of the retail outlets and social consumption areas, it was further restricted to be smoked only in private, and that too discretely for fear of social censure and law enforcement action. This gradual strangulation of the cannabis culture was accompanied by the increasing anti-cannabis propaganda created by the ruling classes, upper classes and castes that cannabis was an evil despicable act that only the lowest classes and castes and the dregs of society followed.
Today, we see that persons from all classes - including the ruling elite
classes and castes - still smoke ganja and charas. All smokers in India today
do it stealthily, like as if they are going to a prostitute, worrying
about the possible dent that their delusional public images would
suffer if the fact were known in society. What the ruling classes and
castes have done, as a result of this, is that they have cornered the
cannabis in India. By prohibiting it, they have taken the ganja out of
the hands of the poorest sections of society - making it scarce and
extremely costly - while they themselves enjoy it with impunity, being
able to afford the exorbitant prices and having the necessary immunity
from law enforcement through their elevated positions in society. The
common man, on the other hand, will be picked up by the police the
minute he is found smoking ganja. The elites never raise their voices
against the injustices of cannabis prohibition because they have the
ganja when they need it. The poor never raise their voices against ganja
prohibition because they will lose their jobs and get sent to prison
for their trouble.
We see a similar trend across the world. With the passage of world wide prohibition, smoking cannabis in public or in a social area has become akin to having sex on the road. The ire that this draws from large parts of society is incredible, especially the so-called upper or majority classes who prefer to inject, snort or pop their synthetic drugs within the confines of their rooms, when they think no one is looking. Most of these naive and intolerant members of society view cannabis smokers as anti-social, or criminal, and there is a high likelihood that someone will personally intimidate or harass the cannabis consumer or complain to law enforcement, who will promptly turn up and initiate legal action against the smoker. The chances of harassment and physical harm greatly increase in case the cannabis smoker is a tourist or a stranger to a particular neighborhood. This sort of behavior is also prevalent against people of the lower classes in wealthy neighborhoods, or against persons of minority groups in neighborhoods where a certain ethnic or religious group is the majority.
It is in this context that places with social consumption areas for cannabis are among the most sought after tourist areas, as well as among the most vibrant and frequently visited localities in any city. Dutch coffee shops are iconic because they have been social consumption areas for long, adding greatly to the vibrancy and dynamism of Amsterdam. Similarly Christiania in Copenhagen is a vibrant place because it is liberal in terms of cannabis consumption, besides other things. And so too with Varanasi in India. Even though the official stance has been to keep tourists off the grass, this has not been strictly implemented in these places where cannabis is one of the key reasons why tourists pour in.
Most states in the US that have legalized recreational use of cannabis (the list of US states that have legalized adult recreational cannabis is available here) have started recognizing the importance of social consumption areas, especially if they are looking to promote tourism. Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle and Chicago are some of the cities actively looking at increasing their social consumption areas for the benefit of both locals, as well as increasing tourism. Many other cities are also following suit and starting to explore the option of social consumption areas in their cannabis regulatory laws.
It is in this context that places with social consumption areas for cannabis are among the most sought after tourist areas, as well as among the most vibrant and frequently visited localities in any city. Dutch coffee shops are iconic because they have been social consumption areas for long, adding greatly to the vibrancy and dynamism of Amsterdam. Similarly Christiania in Copenhagen is a vibrant place because it is liberal in terms of cannabis consumption, besides other things. And so too with Varanasi in India. Even though the official stance has been to keep tourists off the grass, this has not been strictly implemented in these places where cannabis is one of the key reasons why tourists pour in.
Most states in the US that have legalized recreational use of cannabis (the list of US states that have legalized adult recreational cannabis is available here) have started recognizing the importance of social consumption areas, especially if they are looking to promote tourism. Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle and Chicago are some of the cities actively looking at increasing their social consumption areas for the benefit of both locals, as well as increasing tourism. Many other cities are also following suit and starting to explore the option of social consumption areas in their cannabis regulatory laws.
Nevada has been making the news with regard to its social consumption areas. MJBizDaily reports that, 'According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the state Senate passed Assembly Bill 341 with an overwhelming 17-3 majority, which will allow Nevada regulators to offer two new types of marijuana business licenses related to consumption lounges: - One for retailers that want to open consumption lounges on the same property as their retail shops. - One for stand-alone lounges that will be limited to single-use products, in the same manner as bars that sell alcohol. Alcohol will not be permitted to be sold in either type of establishment.' Leafly reports that 'July 1 [2021] will mark the fourth anniversary of adult-use sales launching in the Silver State. And yet there’s still nowhere for tourists to enjoy the plant besides a small tasting room on tribal land just north of Vegas. Earlier this month, though, the green light finally came from the state. Assembly Bill 341 passed through the Democrat-controlled Nevada Assembly and Senate last month. Gov. Steve Sisolak signed it into law on June 4. The new law allows for up to 70 lounges across the state—35 for current dispensary owners to attach to their stores, and 35 standalone venues for independent owners. Customers will be allowed to smoke, eat, drop, dab or vape the plant in a weed-friendly indoor setting.' MJBizDaily reported in September, 2021 that, 'Nevada marijuana companies are mapping out plans to open consumption lounges next year under a new state law with the goal of serving the tens of millions of visitors who flock to Las Vegas annually. Until now, tourists buying cannabis products in Sin City’s retail stores have had no place to smoke, eat or consume their purchases because it’s illegal to do so in public. Moreover, consumption is not allowed in Las Vegas casinos or the city’s approximately 150,000 hotel rooms. That has put a damper on sales to out-of-state visitors in this tourist-reliant city. In 2019, Las Vegas attracted more than 42 million visitors.'
Besides Nevada, Colorado - the first US state to legalize adult recreational use in 2012, is another trailblazer when it comes to social consumption areas. Businesses in Denver are looking at innovative ways to attract customers to their social consumption areas, including music events and other social activities. Westword reports that 'Backers of Dean Ween's Honey Pot Lounge spoke of their plans at a Denver City Council meeting regarding the city's social consumption licensing program on Monday, November 19. They plan to apply within a month in hopes of licensing a pot-infused music venue at the Circus Collective, an alternative fitness and training center at 2041 Lawrence Street in the Ballpark neighborhood. Honey Pot Lounge COO Michael Polansky says the Circus Collective would hold cannabis-infused wellness activities and education sessions during the day, with the Honey Pot Lounge taking over at night, Thursday through Sunday. "The meeting was kind of our coming-out party," he says.' Westword further reports that 'A collective effort by several marijuana business groups could help bring social pot use to Colorado dispensaries, hotels, music venues and dozens of other types of businesses — if the concept makes it through the state legislature. Marijuana industry lobbyists, tourism companies, lounge owners and dispensary representatives are planning to submit a marijuana hospitality bill to lawmakers that will propose creating two new business licenses that would allow social marijuana use in a manner similar to alcohol use.'
San Francisco, California, is another trailblazing city when it comes to cannabis social consumption areas. AP News reported some time back that 'Unsurprisingly, San Francisco is the trailblazer. It’s the only city in the state to fully embrace Amsterdam-like coffee shops, the iconic tourist stops in the Netherlands where people can buy and smoke marijuana in the same shop.' The San Francisco Eater reports that '“The playground” is the largest space, dedicated to vaping. “Sit solo or mingle with the crowd,” the team invites patrons. Next is the smaller “high roller” room with five booths for traditionalists to roll up their pot and smoke it (yes, indoor marijuana smoking is currently allowed, and ventilation is turned on). Last, there’s “the vault,” an enclosed dab lounge where concentrated cannabis extracts are consumed. While customers over 21 can can sip cannabis infused beverages like California Dreamin’, a tangerine flavored sparkling beverage with 10 mg of THC ($8), or munch on edibles like sparkling pear Prosecco-flavored cannabis gummies from Kiva ($23), there’s otherwise no food — and no alcohol — sold at Moe Greens. Outside food and beverage is allowed — preferably just a snack or sandwich, not a stack of pizzas. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.'
Amsterdam, in The Netherlands has been famous for its cannabis social consumption areas, called 'coffee shops', for decades now. The coffee shops provide Amsterdam with some of the dynamism that it is famous for, and is one of the primary reasons for its popularity as a tourism hot spot of the world. Providing a list of what it considers the 10 best coffee shops in Amsterdam, Leafly reports, 'Still, if there’s one trait the Dutch capital possesses in volume, it’s dynamism. Amsterdam has always been avant-garde of social progress. In this year’s national elections, the city cast most votes for the Greens – a leftist party so named for espousing environmental priorities, though inevitably also associated with their other verdant leanings. Notable, too, is INTRAVAL’s calculation that Amsterdam still has one coffeeshop per every 4,907 residents, and that the nationwide decline feared originally “has somewhat stablised.” So while the outlook for dispensaries in the Netherlands is not cloud-free, the landscape remains fertile and varied, as the 10 Amsterdam coffeeshops below attest to. These are our picks for the best places to stop, sip a coffee, and sample both new and classic strains the next time you’re in the Netherlands.' Cannabis exists in a quasi-legal state in the Netherlands, with the authorities showing leniency towards personal consumption, and these coffee shops that draw a large number of citizens and tourists. The Netherlands, however, faces the problem of sourcing its cannabis, since legal cultivation is not permitted. This means that most of the cannabis that ended up in the coffee shops were illegally sourced, or diverted from the medical cannabis market, where the Netherlands is a major global player boasting some of the biggest companies that export medical cannabis to Europe and other parts of the world. To address the problem of sourcing of cannabis for the coffee shops, the authorities recently decided to allow limited cultivation by businesses to supply the coffee shops. MJBizDaily reports that 'The process is part of an experiment in the Netherlands to legalize for the first time – though it’s limited in scope and time – the production of marijuana destined to be sold in coffee shops. Only applicants that demonstrate the capability to cultivate at a large scale – a minimum of 6,500 kilograms (14,330 pounds) per year – will be considered. But the government’s newly released FAQ specifies that the winners won’t necessarily have to grow that amount. Up to 10 growers will be selected to supply roughly 80 coffee shops in 10 municipalities during a period of at least four years. The government estimates a minimum production of 65,000 kilograms per year will be needed, considering that each of the 80 coffee shops has an average turnover of about 1 kilogram per day – 20% of which is hashish.' One would think that the best policy for the government would be to legalize adult recreational use and home growing, as its neighbour Germany did in April 2024. In addition to this, permitting cultivation of cannabis by Dutch farmers would provide a tremendous boost for the agriculture sector, besides providing the supply of cannabis for not just the coffee shops, but also the medical cannabis industry.
There are quite a few variations of social consumption areas being looked at. Some have food available, some have alcohol as well. Some have music, arts, cultural and sports events happening at the venues. In most places there is a retail outlet adjoining the social consumption area where one can purchase cannabis. Some places look to ban the consumption of alcohol. Some places that permit the smoking of tobacco are looking to extend the permission to smoking of cannabis. Some social consumption areas are social clubs where an individual needs membership and be a national of the country to gain access, as in Spain. Some places allow individuals to bring their own cannabis while others require that you buy your cannabis only from them.
Besides Nevada, Colorado - the first US state to legalize adult recreational use in 2012, is another trailblazer when it comes to social consumption areas. Businesses in Denver are looking at innovative ways to attract customers to their social consumption areas, including music events and other social activities. Westword reports that 'Backers of Dean Ween's Honey Pot Lounge spoke of their plans at a Denver City Council meeting regarding the city's social consumption licensing program on Monday, November 19. They plan to apply within a month in hopes of licensing a pot-infused music venue at the Circus Collective, an alternative fitness and training center at 2041 Lawrence Street in the Ballpark neighborhood. Honey Pot Lounge COO Michael Polansky says the Circus Collective would hold cannabis-infused wellness activities and education sessions during the day, with the Honey Pot Lounge taking over at night, Thursday through Sunday. "The meeting was kind of our coming-out party," he says.' Westword further reports that 'A collective effort by several marijuana business groups could help bring social pot use to Colorado dispensaries, hotels, music venues and dozens of other types of businesses — if the concept makes it through the state legislature. Marijuana industry lobbyists, tourism companies, lounge owners and dispensary representatives are planning to submit a marijuana hospitality bill to lawmakers that will propose creating two new business licenses that would allow social marijuana use in a manner similar to alcohol use.'
San Francisco, California, is another trailblazing city when it comes to cannabis social consumption areas. AP News reported some time back that 'Unsurprisingly, San Francisco is the trailblazer. It’s the only city in the state to fully embrace Amsterdam-like coffee shops, the iconic tourist stops in the Netherlands where people can buy and smoke marijuana in the same shop.' The San Francisco Eater reports that '“The playground” is the largest space, dedicated to vaping. “Sit solo or mingle with the crowd,” the team invites patrons. Next is the smaller “high roller” room with five booths for traditionalists to roll up their pot and smoke it (yes, indoor marijuana smoking is currently allowed, and ventilation is turned on). Last, there’s “the vault,” an enclosed dab lounge where concentrated cannabis extracts are consumed. While customers over 21 can can sip cannabis infused beverages like California Dreamin’, a tangerine flavored sparkling beverage with 10 mg of THC ($8), or munch on edibles like sparkling pear Prosecco-flavored cannabis gummies from Kiva ($23), there’s otherwise no food — and no alcohol — sold at Moe Greens. Outside food and beverage is allowed — preferably just a snack or sandwich, not a stack of pizzas. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.'
Amsterdam, in The Netherlands has been famous for its cannabis social consumption areas, called 'coffee shops', for decades now. The coffee shops provide Amsterdam with some of the dynamism that it is famous for, and is one of the primary reasons for its popularity as a tourism hot spot of the world. Providing a list of what it considers the 10 best coffee shops in Amsterdam, Leafly reports, 'Still, if there’s one trait the Dutch capital possesses in volume, it’s dynamism. Amsterdam has always been avant-garde of social progress. In this year’s national elections, the city cast most votes for the Greens – a leftist party so named for espousing environmental priorities, though inevitably also associated with their other verdant leanings. Notable, too, is INTRAVAL’s calculation that Amsterdam still has one coffeeshop per every 4,907 residents, and that the nationwide decline feared originally “has somewhat stablised.” So while the outlook for dispensaries in the Netherlands is not cloud-free, the landscape remains fertile and varied, as the 10 Amsterdam coffeeshops below attest to. These are our picks for the best places to stop, sip a coffee, and sample both new and classic strains the next time you’re in the Netherlands.' Cannabis exists in a quasi-legal state in the Netherlands, with the authorities showing leniency towards personal consumption, and these coffee shops that draw a large number of citizens and tourists. The Netherlands, however, faces the problem of sourcing its cannabis, since legal cultivation is not permitted. This means that most of the cannabis that ended up in the coffee shops were illegally sourced, or diverted from the medical cannabis market, where the Netherlands is a major global player boasting some of the biggest companies that export medical cannabis to Europe and other parts of the world. To address the problem of sourcing of cannabis for the coffee shops, the authorities recently decided to allow limited cultivation by businesses to supply the coffee shops. MJBizDaily reports that 'The process is part of an experiment in the Netherlands to legalize for the first time – though it’s limited in scope and time – the production of marijuana destined to be sold in coffee shops. Only applicants that demonstrate the capability to cultivate at a large scale – a minimum of 6,500 kilograms (14,330 pounds) per year – will be considered. But the government’s newly released FAQ specifies that the winners won’t necessarily have to grow that amount. Up to 10 growers will be selected to supply roughly 80 coffee shops in 10 municipalities during a period of at least four years. The government estimates a minimum production of 65,000 kilograms per year will be needed, considering that each of the 80 coffee shops has an average turnover of about 1 kilogram per day – 20% of which is hashish.' One would think that the best policy for the government would be to legalize adult recreational use and home growing, as its neighbour Germany did in April 2024. In addition to this, permitting cultivation of cannabis by Dutch farmers would provide a tremendous boost for the agriculture sector, besides providing the supply of cannabis for not just the coffee shops, but also the medical cannabis industry.
There are quite a few variations of social consumption areas being looked at. Some have food available, some have alcohol as well. Some have music, arts, cultural and sports events happening at the venues. In most places there is a retail outlet adjoining the social consumption area where one can purchase cannabis. Some places look to ban the consumption of alcohol. Some places that permit the smoking of tobacco are looking to extend the permission to smoking of cannabis. Some social consumption areas are social clubs where an individual needs membership and be a national of the country to gain access, as in Spain. Some places allow individuals to bring their own cannabis while others require that you buy your cannabis only from them.
Social consumption areas are state-of-the-art in legalized societies these days, aiming to draw in clientele from the affluent sections of society, besides conservative sections of society that were traditionally hesitant to be seen consuming cannabis. Las Vegas Sun reports that 'Now, after a complete interior makeover that includes the installation of four chandeliers, a wood-grain panel wall, a large tile floor, bright blue wall paint, a large array of modern furniture and a state-of-the-art ventilation system that all but completely removes the scent of the plant, Powers’ facility attracts primarily women, seniors and millennials of all cultures and backgrounds. “There’s so many misconceptions about the industry still,” Powers said. “But this is the reality of our business. It's a slow process." Harvest was one of two consumption lounges toured Monday by Nevada legislators, in town on a one-day fact finding trip with San Francisco marijuana officials and business owners to learn best practices for implementing the consumption lounges back home. Clark County and Las Vegas officials have explored the possibility of such lounges as far back as September of last year, and San Francisco is the only major U.S. city to offer full-scale facilities where the plant can legally be smoked, vaped, dabbed or eaten.' In the newly emerging cannabis social consumption areas, the addition of cannabis to the menu - besides food and drink - is seen as a way in which restaurant businesses can increase their revenue margins. Inside Hook reports that, 'In the restaurant world, food is often little more than a vehicle for selling booze, which tends to have far greater margins and thus earn the place more money. At Lowell Cafe, a new restaurant that allows you to smoke weed at your table, it appears that cannabis is taking that mantle.' Many social consumption areas offer both smokable cannabis and cannabis beverages. MJBizDaily reports that 'According to the menu, Smoke and Mirrors sells: Dabs and 1-gram pre-rolls for $20; Infused pre-rolls for $22-$45; Eighths of flower for $50-$75. Visitors are prohibited from bringing in their own cannabis products or smoking accessories, and guests cannot leave the venue with products purchased at the lounge. “One of the big things that we’re excited about is people leave this room and they don’t smell like weed,” LaPorte said. “We really wanted to focus on the cannabis-cocktail opportunity.” So far, the strategy is paying off, as the venue is seeing nearly a split between smokers and drinkers. Smoke and Mirrors’ elaborate mocktail menu – an ode to classic drinks such as margaritas, daiquiris and palomas – feature marijuana-infused versions. A 2.5-milligram THC-infused offering costs $19 and a 5-milligram THC infusion $23; non-infused options are $15. “We’re seeing people come in, enjoy a joint or a cocktail, and they’re out within an hour,” LaPorte said.'
Generally, in the US states where cannabis has been legalized for recreational use, it is the state's Cannabis Control Board or Commission that gives permission, provides licenses and sets regulations for cannabis social consumption areas. NORML reports, in Massachussetts, that 'Members of the state's Cannabis Control Commission decided this week in favor of regulations to establish licensing for retail cannabis deliveries and for limited on-site consumption facilities.' Reporting on some of the regulations for cannabis lounges, the Las Vegas Sun reports some time back that 'Owners
would be able to enact a cover charge and serve food on the premises,
per the new ordinance, as long as the food is not marijuana-laced.
Alcoholic beverage sales in separate rooms on the premises would also be
allowed, as long as the drinks being sold contain less than 11 percent
alcohol by volume.' AP News, reporting on typical regulations, says that 'The
adopted rules call for consumption areas that are outdoors or that are
separated from a marijuana retail store by walls and a secure door and
meet ventilation requirements. The board would have to find a proposed
outdoor site is compatible with the surrounding area. People could not
bring their own marijuana to a consumption area. Stores with onsite use
would have to have a smoke-free place for employees to monitor the
consumption area.' There is still a lot of licensing and regulatory restrictions around cannabis social consumption areas such as where they can be located, what kind of ventilation and access is permitted, etc. These, along with the deep rooted stigma that exists in many places against the cannabis smoker, have been hurdles to the establishment of social consumption areas.
Local municipalities and regulatory authorities continue to place a high bar for businesses attempting to open cannabis consumption areas. There is a multitude of criteria that need to be met before a business can open a cannabis lounge. Denver Post reported some time back that 'When it comes to navigating the maze of restrictions that came with Denver’s voter-passed law allowing marijuana use in licensed businesses, The Coffee Joint cracked the code. The first — and so far only — licensee under the 2016 ordinance is a combination coffee shop and bring-your-own-cannabis vape bar that’s within spitting distance of Interstate 25, south of West 13th Avenue, in a dingy industrial area.' Speaking further about the need to ease restrictions on the setting up of cannabis consumption lounges, Westword reported that 'According to the task force, some of the rules, "specifically the distance requirements, created an overly burdensome regulatory process that is not experienced by other types of businesses." It's requested that the city re-evaluate the location requirements, as well as the high application fees for a social consumption business.' The maze of restrictions can be considered ironic, because cannabis is one of the least harmful intoxicants, far less harmful than alcohol which is inextricably linked with violence wherever it is used or sold. Also, considering that you can walk into a store and pick up a semi-automatic rifle in many parts of the US, the restrictions on a herb that makes its user peaceful and calm is quite laughable, showing the distance that still needs to be covered before the decades of anti-cannabis propaganda that have clouded the minds of society can be dispelled. MJBizDaily reports that '“There’s a large group of people who want to enjoy cannabis socially, and I think this market is largely ignored because there are no profitable businesses out there,” said Taylor Rosean, Vape & Play’s co-owner and director of operations. “If you consider the fact we have a mature cannabis production industry with nowhere for that cannabis to be consumed safely and legally (in social spaces), it’s absolutely insane.”' When even cities like Denver face these huge hurdles in setting up a cannabis lounge, one can imagine the difficulties in more conservative places like Alaska and Vermont. Alaska and Vermont, two of the US states that were among the earliest to legalize recreational adult use of cannabis, have been making efforts to open social consumption areas, but appear to be facing resistance from conservative populations that still carry the after-effects of reefer madness. Even though Alaska was the first US state to legalize onsite consumption, these changes have not been reflected on the ground so far. Marijuana Moment reports, at the time when the reforms were made, that '“This is something that’s not happening anywhere else in the U.S. yet,” Cary Carrigan, executive director of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, told the Associated Press. “As we start to develop this, people are really looking at us, so I know that everybody wants to get it right.” Under the new rules, consumption area would have to be physically separated from retail spaces, either by a wall and a “secure door” or an outdoor patio. Businesses would have to provide security plans and adequate ventilation.' In Alaska, Marijuana Moment reporting on the baby steps being taken in this direction a couple of years back, says that 'According to the proposal, dispensaries could sell “marijuana bud or flower in quantities not to exceed one gram to any one person per day” and “edible marijuana products in quantities not to exceed 10 mg of THC to any one person per day” to customers to consume on the premises.' In Vermont, speaking about the frustration faced by businesses attempting to open social consumption areas, VT Digger reported some time back that 'For now, the Antoniellos have ceased operating the club. Chris Antoniello said the space will soon be stocked with items to sell. They’re processing refunds for members who had paid through the month of December. He is frustrated by what he sees as a lack of guidelines about what is and is not legal. According to Antoniello, he was told by the state that the only places is it legal to consume marijuana is in a private home or a parked car.' A couple of years back, there were hardly any cannabis lounges in the entire US, despite nearly half the US states having legalized cannabis for recreational use, and despite an overwhelming majority of Americans supportive of cannabis legalization federally. LA Eater reported sometime back that 'This news is a game-changer, and far surpasses what many describe as a stalled dispensary application process in Los Angeles’ Department of Cannabis Regulation. Throughout the country, there are only seven consumption lounges in San Francisco, one in Oakland, and one in Denver. But WeHo’s group of new businesses could place West Hollywood on par with Amsterdam, Netherlands for cannabis tourism, and maybe eventually surpass it.'
Even in states in the US where recreational cannabis is legal, the majority of municipalities and local bodies still oppose the establishment of cannabis social consumption areas. This is the case even though cannabis is a much less harmful social drug than either alcohol or tobacco that claim millions of lives world wide every year. Where cannabis social consumption areas are opening, there is also the derision and intolerant mindset of the neighbours that needs to be contended with. Regarding the opening of a cannabis social consumption area in Michigan, WXYZ reports a non-cannabis resident in a neighbourhood saying '"I don't want a bunch of potheads walking around acting like a bunch of fools, would you?" he asked. Land figured he should have a positive approach and try to work with his newer neighbors in the cannabis industry to make the best of it. "If they get out of line, I'll get crabby," Land said. "But if they don't, live and let live."- It's unclear how soon the lounge will open.' One of the major arguments against cannabis social consumption areas is that it is a threat to public safety. One of the questions posed by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission of 1894-95 to witnesses was question 43 - 'Are moderate consumers inoffensive to their neighbours?' The Hemp Commission summarized its findings saying that 'As to whether moderate consumers are offensive to their neighbours the evidence can leave little doubt on the mind of any one who peruses it carefully. About seven hundred witnesses have thought it worth while to speak on this point. It may be safely presumed that of the remainder the great majority have no experience of anything offensive in consumers. Of those who have given their opinions, over six hundred say that moderate consumers are not offensive to their neighbours. Of the small minority, some object, not unnaturally, to the bad example they think their ganja smoking neighbour may be to their sons who are growing up. Some merely take offence at the smell of the ganja smoke, and some at the "coughing and expectorating." They are evidently not inclined to be tolerant of the indulgence which they do not care themselves to practise.' The Indian Hemp Commission, summarizing whether a cannabis user is
offensive or if there are threats to public safety from cannabis
consumption, has this to say 'Altogether it is clear that the moderate
consumer is as a rule perfectly inoffensive. There appear to be quite
adequate grounds for accepting the statement of those who assert that as
a rule he "cannot be distinguished from the total abstainer." Some
witnesses have stated that they had difficulty in finding the moderate
consumers, though they did find that the habit of moderate consumption
is common. Indeed, there are not wanting those who say that no consumer
of bhang or ganja, whether in moderation or in excess, is ever an
offensive neighbour. The contrast in this respect between the excessive
consumer of hemp drugs and the excessive consumer of alcohol is
frequently emphasized. No doubt the excessive consumer of hemp drugs
must sometimes be a disagreeable and perhaps even dangerous neighbour;
but even among excessive consumers such cases seem to be very rare
indeed.'
Then there are witnesses who state that it is not the behaviour of the
cannabis smoker that is offensive, but the smell of cannabis smoke. Now
this is a purely subjective reaction, as there are any number of persons
who are offended by a wide variety of smells - ranging from the smell
of dry fish, tobacco, meat, alcohol, or anything that is considered
outside the offended person's culture - that to call the smell of
cannabis smoke offensive is not just absurd but outright discriminatory.
Considering that, in the US, people have been shot dead by law
enforcement purely on the basis of the smell of cannabis, one can safely
say that it is the cannabis smoker who is likely to become the
offended - offended to death - due to intolerance or insanity in his
neighbour. One must consider how the personal habits of someone,
especially what he or she eats, drinks, smokes or wears can offend
another person. These actions lie fully within the rights to freedom and
liberty of the person performing the action. The cannabis culture in
India existed for thousands of years, being practiced by the indigenous
communities and the early inhabitants of India, as is evidenced from the
widespread usage across the length and breadth of the country. For the
later migrants to India, coming in from Central Asia and Europe, with
their religions, businesses and rulers, and then establishing themselves
as the ruling and upper classes and castes of India society, to
consider the habits of the Indian natives as offensive is not only
laughable, but purely discriminatory.Today, we see the same intolerance of the non-cannabis user to the smell of cannabis smoke in places where cannabis has been legalized. It continues to be one of the major arguments used by those who wish to ban cannabis use and social consumption areas in their neighbourhoods. Stateline reports that 'Lawmakers frequently cite public safety as a reason for regulating where people can consume marijuana. Another major driver is a general distaste for the pungent odor of pot smoke, which some officials believe the public, particularly children, should not be subjected to.' The Republicans, in the US, exemplify the elite upper classes who formed the later immigrants into the Americas, and who can now not tolerate the habits of the native communities anymore. They continue to create myths about public health and safety issues related to cannabis legalization, while in reality working constantly to protect the interest of their masters - the industries opposed to cannabis legalization. The Guardian reports that 'Some Republican lawmakers, including Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, say that the public consumption of marijuana is a nuisance to people who don’t like the smell and a quality-of-life issue. Meanwhile, advocates of marijuana legalization argue that lawmakers are exaggerating the scale of the problem and using the smell issue as a smoke screen for their actual gripe: that cannabis should not be legal.'
As to the question of whether cannabis social consumption areas posed a threat to children who may be influenced by it, or if it posed a health threat to children, one must remember that before cannabis was regulated in India, hardly any child consumed cannabis, unless it was as medicine. Most men started smoking cannabis after the age of 18, while with women it was usually in middle age. Besides, if one is concerned about the impact of adult habits on growing children, then it would be much better to direct one's focus on alcohol, tobacco, domestic violence, gun violence, abuse of prescription drugs, pornography, obsession with getting rich, and excessive smart phone use, rather than imagined threats to children's safety from adult cannabis smoking. The fact that cannabis usage was so widespread and yet almost totally invisible to those who did not use it can be gauged from the reports of witnesses who were asked by the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission to provide their inputs to the study. Almost all these witnesses belonged to the ruling and upper classes and castes, including the British colonists. Most of them were - up to this point - almost totally oblivious of India's cannabis culture and many struggled to find out how much it was prevalent. Most witnesses had to rely on the inputs of others closer to the cannabis culture - the people that they employed as their coolies, gardeners, boatmen and labour. The Hemp Commission reports that 'It has been the most striking feature in this inquiry to find how little the effects of hemp drugs have obtruded themselves on observation. The large number of witnesses of all classes who professed never to have seen these effects, the vague statements made by many who professed to have observed them, the very few witnesses who could so recall a case as to give any definite account of it, and the manner in which a large proportion of these cases broke down on the first attempt to examine them, are facts which combine to show most clearly how little injury society has hitherto sustained from hemp drugs.'
Slowly reports have started emerging that having a cannabis outlet in a particular locality actually raises the real estate value of the place, as against the common perception that it will drive away business and residents and become a haven for crime and violence. Crime rates in places where legal cannabis has been made available have remained static, if not actually dropped, disproving another popular misconception that cannabis legalization increases crime rates. This is definitely much lesser than the reported incidents of violence and disturbance to law and order associated with alcohol consumption areas. Then there is the fear that social consumption areas will encourage youth consumption. This is something that proper enforcement of age restrictions can control, such as serving cannabis to only those above a certain age. A recent inspection done by regulatory authorities found that cannabis businesses strictly followed the age restriction rules when it came to selling cannabis to consumers.
Speaking about the link between cannabis consumption lounges and tourism, LA Times reported that 'For Palm Springs and Cathedral City, the concept of pot lounges fits into the resort economy officials are trying to bolster. "It's really the next logical step, especially when you have a tourist economy like we do," said Cathedral City City Councilman Shelley Kaplan. Most hotels don't allow smoking or vaping, Kaplan said, so it makes sense for cannabis lounges to be available.' The Las Vegas Sun reports a cannabis regulator as saying '“What we really need to get this tourism off the ground are these pot lounges, so we can actually legitimately say,‘Come to Nevada, purchase it and there’s a place to use it,” he told host Sam Shad.'
Regulators from US states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use more recently, such as New Jersey and Massachusetts, are touring the cannabis lounges and cafes in trailblazing cities like San Francisco and Denver, to better understand how they should frame social consumption area related regulations. Forbes reports that 'Late last year, a group of state assemblymen and county commissioners from Nevada toured San Francisco’s cafes and lounges to see how they’re run. They are determined to push through legislation to allow cannabis cafes in their own state. Massachusetts’ state government is partnering with cities interested in allowing places for “social consumption” of cannabis to create rules and study the impact of the businesses. In Oregon, state legislators are working to change state laws to allow cannabis cafes and lounges. Because state law requires cannabis to be used in private, many consumers, including tourists and renters in smoke-free buildings, have no place to use cannabis products. That means the state and its cities also will have to revise their current clean-air regulations, which were designed to protect the public from second-hand tobacco smoke. New Jersey’s legalization bill includes provisions for bring-your-own social lounges and would allow hotels to designate up to 20% of their rooms as cannabis-friendly.' KVAL reports in Oregon, regarding action in the legislature for opening cannabis consumption areas, that 'If enacted, the bill would allow for consumption and sale of marijuana at temporary events, as well as licensure and regulation of cannabis lounges. The bill would also allow marijuana producers to offer tours to the public.' New Jersey has made some headway in 2024. NORML reports that 'State regulators have signed off on rules governing the operation of cannabis consumption lounges. Regulators are expected to review business applications in the coming months. Under the plan, dispensary owners would be eligible to open no more than one café. Patrons must be 21 to enter and sales of food or alcohol are prohibited. Fewer than half of legal cannabis states permit on-site cannabis consumption facilities. New Jersey legalized the adult-use cannabis market in 2021.'
While social consumption areas offer a place - for those who can afford it, to purchase and consume cannabis in peace - the story continues to remain oppressive for those who cannot afford it. It is the poorest sections of society who were the original classes of cannabis users, and who need cannabis the most. They are also the one who not only find it difficult to afford, access and procure cannabis, they also find it difficult to smoke their cannabis without harassment. Smoking laws in every nation of the world are applicable only to public places - i.e. places that people gather in such as libraries, buses, railway stations, the courts, etc - and private spaces where the owner determines the smoking policies. They are not applicable to open spaces - such as the street or any other place not denoted as a public or private place. But we find that the poorer sections of society, and those who are not aware of the rules, are constantly harassed by law enforcement and overzealous members of the public for smoking in open spaces. Law enforcement extorts huge amounts of money worldwide from the poorer sections of society who are completely within their rights to smoke in an open space. I have personally experienced this harassment. My appearance probably makes law enforcement think that I am a tramp. On a couple of occasions in the recent past, I have taken out a beedi and lit it on the streets of the locality I live in, only to find myself confronted by law enforcement.They demand to know what I am smoking, probably thinking it is cannabis. When I say beedi, they have asked questions like "What do you think you are doing, smoking in a public place like this?" I have then had to explain to them that the street is not a public place, but an open space where I am fully within my rights to smoke. I have had to give him examples of what constitutes public places - railway stations, bus stops, libraries, courts, etc., etc., but the policemen always insist that the street is a public place, even though they go away without harassing me further. I am sure that there are many smokers who themselves do not know these rules, and who end up paying fines that are illegally collected, thus further emboldening law enforcement.
Regulators from US states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use more recently, such as New Jersey and Massachusetts, are touring the cannabis lounges and cafes in trailblazing cities like San Francisco and Denver, to better understand how they should frame social consumption area related regulations. Forbes reports that 'Late last year, a group of state assemblymen and county commissioners from Nevada toured San Francisco’s cafes and lounges to see how they’re run. They are determined to push through legislation to allow cannabis cafes in their own state. Massachusetts’ state government is partnering with cities interested in allowing places for “social consumption” of cannabis to create rules and study the impact of the businesses. In Oregon, state legislators are working to change state laws to allow cannabis cafes and lounges. Because state law requires cannabis to be used in private, many consumers, including tourists and renters in smoke-free buildings, have no place to use cannabis products. That means the state and its cities also will have to revise their current clean-air regulations, which were designed to protect the public from second-hand tobacco smoke. New Jersey’s legalization bill includes provisions for bring-your-own social lounges and would allow hotels to designate up to 20% of their rooms as cannabis-friendly.' KVAL reports in Oregon, regarding action in the legislature for opening cannabis consumption areas, that 'If enacted, the bill would allow for consumption and sale of marijuana at temporary events, as well as licensure and regulation of cannabis lounges. The bill would also allow marijuana producers to offer tours to the public.' New Jersey has made some headway in 2024. NORML reports that 'State regulators have signed off on rules governing the operation of cannabis consumption lounges. Regulators are expected to review business applications in the coming months. Under the plan, dispensary owners would be eligible to open no more than one café. Patrons must be 21 to enter and sales of food or alcohol are prohibited. Fewer than half of legal cannabis states permit on-site cannabis consumption facilities. New Jersey legalized the adult-use cannabis market in 2021.'
While social consumption areas offer a place - for those who can afford it, to purchase and consume cannabis in peace - the story continues to remain oppressive for those who cannot afford it. It is the poorest sections of society who were the original classes of cannabis users, and who need cannabis the most. They are also the one who not only find it difficult to afford, access and procure cannabis, they also find it difficult to smoke their cannabis without harassment. Smoking laws in every nation of the world are applicable only to public places - i.e. places that people gather in such as libraries, buses, railway stations, the courts, etc - and private spaces where the owner determines the smoking policies. They are not applicable to open spaces - such as the street or any other place not denoted as a public or private place. But we find that the poorer sections of society, and those who are not aware of the rules, are constantly harassed by law enforcement and overzealous members of the public for smoking in open spaces. Law enforcement extorts huge amounts of money worldwide from the poorer sections of society who are completely within their rights to smoke in an open space. I have personally experienced this harassment. My appearance probably makes law enforcement think that I am a tramp. On a couple of occasions in the recent past, I have taken out a beedi and lit it on the streets of the locality I live in, only to find myself confronted by law enforcement.They demand to know what I am smoking, probably thinking it is cannabis. When I say beedi, they have asked questions like "What do you think you are doing, smoking in a public place like this?" I have then had to explain to them that the street is not a public place, but an open space where I am fully within my rights to smoke. I have had to give him examples of what constitutes public places - railway stations, bus stops, libraries, courts, etc., etc., but the policemen always insist that the street is a public place, even though they go away without harassing me further. I am sure that there are many smokers who themselves do not know these rules, and who end up paying fines that are illegally collected, thus further emboldening law enforcement.
The basic rule of thumb when it comes to social consumption areas, is that wherever tobacco smoking is permitted, cannabis smoking must be permitted. For the poorer sections of society - who cannot afford social consumption areas where money has to be paid - the open spaces where tobacco smoking is permitted must be spaces where they can consume their cannabis in peace. This, to me, is far more important than creating policies that favor the elite and upper classes while increasing the oppression of the lower classes. Cannabis is far safer than tobacco, both for the consumer and those inhaling second-hand smoke. Leafly reports that 'If a cigarette can be enjoyed out in nature, why on earth can’t cannabis – especially if it enables those with pain, chronic nausea, and other ailments enjoy a happy and active lifestyle? One hiker I spoke to mentioned that cannabis allowed him to hike without his heavy painkiller prescription, enabling him to stay pain-free and active as opposed to sedated and lethargic. Another hiker noted, “Cannabis helps quiet my mind so I can really enjoy the nature and its serenity.” A third said it allowed her to focus on the persistence in climbing, turning off the “I can’t do this” thinking.' Another rule of thumb would be the implementation of regulations similar to alcohol where businesses allow the use of cannabis in their social consumption areas.
One thing that is increasingly being understood and accepted by more and more administrators is that giving people access to a place where they can sit down and peacefully smoke their cannabis is one of the important steps in the process of recreational cannabis legalization and normalization.
One thing that is increasingly being understood and accepted by more and more administrators is that giving people access to a place where they can sit down and peacefully smoke their cannabis is one of the important steps in the process of recreational cannabis legalization and normalization.
Related articles
Listed below are articles taken from various media related to the above
subject. Words in italics are the thoughts of your truly at the time of
reading the article.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, say that the public consumption of marijuana is a nuisance to people who don’t like the smell and a quality-of-life issue.
Meanwhile, advocates of marijuana legalization argue that lawmakers are exaggerating the scale of the problem and using the smell issue as a smoke screen for their actual gripe: that cannabis should not be legal.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/29/cannabis-legalization-smell-complaint-republican
According to the menu, Smoke and Mirrors sells:
Dabs and 1-gram pre-rolls for $20.
Infused pre-rolls for $22-$45.
Eighths of flower for $50-$75.
Visitors are prohibited from bringing in their own cannabis products or smoking accessories, and guests cannot leave the venue with products purchased at the lounge.
“One of the big things that we’re excited about is people leave this room and they don’t smell like weed,” LaPorte said.
“We really wanted to focus on the cannabis-cocktail opportunity.”
So far, the strategy is paying off, as the venue is seeing nearly a split between smokers and drinkers.
Smoke and Mirrors’ elaborate mocktail menu – an ode to classic drinks such as margaritas, daiquiris and palomas – feature marijuana-infused versions.
A 2.5-milligram THC-infused offering costs $19 and a 5-milligram THC infusion $23; non-infused options are $15.
“We’re seeing people come in, enjoy a joint or a cocktail, and they’re out within an hour,” LaPorte said.
https://mjbizdaily.com/las-vegas-marijuana-consumption-lounges-prepare-for-new-era/
State regulators have signed off on rules governing the operation of cannabis consumption lounges. Regulators are expected to review business applications in the coming months.
Under the plan, dispensary owners would be eligible to open no more than one café. Patrons must be 21 to enter and sales of food or alcohol are prohibited.
Fewer than half of legal cannabis states permit on-site cannabis consumption facilities.
New Jersey legalized the adult-use cannabis market in 2021.
https://norml.org/news/2024/01/25/new-jersey-regulators-finalize-plans-for-opening-cannabis-cafes
Meanwhile, advocates of marijuana legalization argue that lawmakers are exaggerating the scale of the problem and using the smell issue as a smoke screen for their actual gripe: that cannabis should not be legal.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/29/cannabis-legalization-smell-complaint-republican
According to the menu, Smoke and Mirrors sells:
Dabs and 1-gram pre-rolls for $20.
Infused pre-rolls for $22-$45.
Eighths of flower for $50-$75.
Visitors are prohibited from bringing in their own cannabis products or smoking accessories, and guests cannot leave the venue with products purchased at the lounge.
“One of the big things that we’re excited about is people leave this room and they don’t smell like weed,” LaPorte said.
“We really wanted to focus on the cannabis-cocktail opportunity.”
So far, the strategy is paying off, as the venue is seeing nearly a split between smokers and drinkers.
Smoke and Mirrors’ elaborate mocktail menu – an ode to classic drinks such as margaritas, daiquiris and palomas – feature marijuana-infused versions.
A 2.5-milligram THC-infused offering costs $19 and a 5-milligram THC infusion $23; non-infused options are $15.
“We’re seeing people come in, enjoy a joint or a cocktail, and they’re out within an hour,” LaPorte said.
https://mjbizdaily.com/las-vegas-marijuana-consumption-lounges-prepare-for-new-era/
State regulators have signed off on rules governing the operation of cannabis consumption lounges. Regulators are expected to review business applications in the coming months.
Under the plan, dispensary owners would be eligible to open no more than one café. Patrons must be 21 to enter and sales of food or alcohol are prohibited.
Fewer than half of legal cannabis states permit on-site cannabis consumption facilities.
New Jersey legalized the adult-use cannabis market in 2021.
https://norml.org/news/2024/01/25/new-jersey-regulators-finalize-plans-for-opening-cannabis-cafes
https://www.insidehook.com/article/food-drink-los-angeles/the-5-best-restaurants-that-opened-in-la-this-october
'"I don't want a bunch of potheads walking around acting like a bunch of fools, would you?" he asked.
Land figured he should have a positive approach and try to work with his newer neighbors in the cannabis industry to make the best of it.
"If they get out of line, I'll get crabby," Land said. "But if they don't, live and let live."-
It's unclear how soon the lounge will open.'
https://www.wxyz.com/news/michigans-first-cannabis-consumption-lounge-set-to-open-in-ann-arbor
'According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the state Senate passed Assembly Bill 341 with an overwhelming 17-3 majority, which will allow Nevada regulators to offer two new types of marijuana business licenses related to consumption lounges:
- One for retailers that want to open consumption lounges on the same property as their retail shops.
- One for stand-alone lounges that will be limited to single-use products, in the same manner as bars that sell alcohol.
Alcohol will not be permitted to be sold in either type of establishment.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/nevada-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-consumption-lounges/
'If a cigarette can be enjoyed out in nature, why on earth can’t cannabis – especially if it enables those with pain, chronic nausea, and other ailments enjoy a happy and active lifestyle? One hiker I spoke to mentioned that cannabis allowed him to hike without his heavy painkiller prescription, enabling him to stay pain-free and active as opposed to sedated and lethargic. Another hiker noted, “Cannabis helps quiet my mind so I can really enjoy the nature and its serenity.” A third said it allowed her to focus on the persistence in climbing, turning off the “I can’t do this” thinking.'
https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/cannabis-in-the-great-outdoors-tips-tricks-and-advice-for-hiking
'Lawmakers frequently cite public safety as a reason for regulating where people can consume marijuana. Another major driver is a general distaste for the pungent odor of pot smoke, which some officials believe the public, particularly children, should not be subjected to.'
https://stateline.org/2023/08/09/pot-smell-and-safety-concerns-ignite-disputes-over-public-smoking/
'July 1 will mark the fourth anniversary of adult-use sales launching in the Silver State. And yet there’s still nowhere for tourists to enjoy the plant besides a small tasting room on tribal land just north of Vegas. Earlier this month, though, the green light finally came from the state.
Assembly Bill 341 passed through the Democrat-controlled Nevada Assembly and Senate last month. Gov. Steve Sisolak signed it into law on June 4.
The new law allows for up to 70 lounges across the state—35 for current dispensary owners to attach to their stores, and 35 standalone venues for independent owners. Customers will be allowed to smoke, eat, drop, dab or vape the plant in a weed-friendly indoor setting.'
https://www.leafly.com/news/industry/cannabis-lounges-are-finally-legal-in-las-vegas-so-when-will-they-open
'“All goes as planned, we’re looking at – at least the first quarter, or the first half of 2022 – not only to see the lounges open, but then also the first part is where we would start to realize that revenue,” CCB Executive Director Tyler Klimas said, according to the news outlet.
The state Legislature in June approved a bill that created two types of licenses for cannabis consumption lounges.
Nevada’s casinos and hotels don’t allow cannabis use on-site, so marijuana lounges would provide options for visitors and for Nevada residents who live in apartments or other housing situations not conducive to marijuana consumption.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/nevada-cannabis-consumption-lounges-on-pace-to-open-in-2022/
'The number of marijuana-related arrests and summonses plummeted in New York City in the first quarter since the state’s legalization law took effect, data released by NYPD shows.
While it might not seem surprising to see arrests drop following legalization, the decline was far more significant than those seen in other jurisdictions that have previously ended cannabis prohibition—and it likely has to do with a unique aspect of New York’s marijuana law that allows for public smoking.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/allowing-public-marijuana-smoking-leads-to-bigger-nyc-arrest-decline-than-in-other-legalized-places/
'Nevada marijuana companies are mapping out plans to open consumption lounges next year under a new state law with the goal of serving the tens of millions of visitors who flock to Las Vegas annually.
Until now, tourists buying cannabis products in Sin City’s retail stores have had no place to smoke, eat or consume their purchases because it’s illegal to do so in public.
Moreover, consumption is not allowed in Las Vegas casinos or the city’s approximately 150,000 hotel rooms.
That has put a damper on sales to out-of-state visitors in this tourist-reliant city. In 2019, Las Vegas attracted more than 42 million visitors.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/nevada-marijuana-firms-ready-consumption-lounges-to-serve-tourist-throngs/
'Drive-thrus, VIP sales areas, consumption lounges – even separate rooms to buy cannabis growing equipment.
All are features that businesses in the hotly competitive marijuana industry are incorporating into their retail operations to stand out from the crowd and attract customers.
That has helped spark a building boom.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-retailers-entice-customers-with-vip-rooms-consumption-lounges/
'Members of the state's Cannabis Control Commission decided this week in favor of regulations to establish licensing for retail cannabis deliveries and for limited on-site consumption facilities.'
https://norml.org/news/2019/09/26/massachusetts-regulators-vote-in-favor-of-cannabis-deliveries-on-site-consumption-facilities
'The process is part of an experiment in the Netherlands to legalize for the first time – though it’s limited in scope and time – the production of marijuana destined to be sold in coffee shops.
Only applicants that demonstrate the capability to cultivate at a large scale – a minimum of 6,500 kilograms (14,330 pounds) per year – will be considered.
But the government’s newly released FAQ specifies that the winners won’t necessarily have to grow that amount.
Up to 10 growers will be selected to supply roughly 80 coffee shops in 10 municipalities during a period of at least four years.
The government estimates a minimum production of 65,000 kilograms per year will be needed, considering that each of the 80 coffee shops has an average turnover of about 1 kilogram per day – 20% of which is hashish.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/netherlands-clarifies-process-for-applications-to-grow-legal-adult-use-cannabis/
'Now, after a complete interior makeover that includes the installation of four chandeliers, a wood-grain panel wall, a large tile floor, bright blue wall paint, a large array of modern furniture and a state-of-the-art ventilation system that all but completely removes the scent of the plant, Powers’ facility attracts primarily women, seniors and millennials of all cultures and backgrounds.
“There’s so many misconceptions about the industry still,” Powers said. “But this is the reality of our business. It's a slow process."
Harvest was one of two consumption lounges toured Monday by Nevada legislators, in town on a one-day fact finding trip with San Francisco marijuana officials and business owners to learn best practices for implementing the consumption lounges back home. Clark County and Las Vegas officials have explored the possibility of such lounges as far back as September of last year, and San Francisco is the only major U.S. city to offer full-scale facilities where the plant can legally be smoked, vaped, dabbed or eaten.'
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/nov/19/nevadans-visit-san-francisco-marijuana-lounges/
'Backers of Dean Ween's Honey Pot Lounge spoke of their plans at a Denver City Council meeting regarding the city's social consumption licensing program on Monday, November 19.
They plan to apply within a month in hopes of licensing a pot-infused music venue at the Circus Collective, an alternative fitness and training center at 2041 Lawrence Street in the Ballpark neighborhood.
Honey Pot Lounge COO Michael Polansky says the Circus Collective would hold cannabis-infused wellness activities and education sessions during the day, with the Honey Pot Lounge taking over at night, Thursday through Sunday. "The meeting was kind of our coming-out party," he says.'
https://www.westword.com/marijuana/dean-ween-wants-to-open-denvers-first-legal-marijuana-music-venue-honey-pot-lounge-11020940
'A collective effort by several marijuana business groups could help bring social pot use to Colorado dispensaries, hotels, music venues and dozens of other types of businesses — if the concept makes it through the state legislature.
Marijuana industry lobbyists, tourism companies, lounge owners and dispensary representatives are planning to submit a marijuana hospitality bill to lawmakers that will propose creating two new business licenses that would allow social marijuana use in a manner similar to alcohol use.'
https://www.westword.com/marijuana/upcoming-bill-could-open-colorado-hotels-restaurants-music-venues-and-more-to-social-marijuana-use-11084521
'“The playground” is the largest space, dedicated to vaping. “Sit solo or mingle with the crowd,” the team invites patrons. Next is the smaller “high roller” room with five booths for traditionalists to roll up their pot and smoke it (yes, indoor marijuana smoking is currently allowed, and ventilation is turned on). Last, there’s “the vault,” an enclosed dab lounge where concentrated cannabis extracts are consumed.
While customers over 21 can can sip cannabis infused beverages like California Dreamin’, a tangerine flavored sparkling beverage with 10 mg of THC ($8), or munch on edibles like sparkling pear Prosecco-flavored cannabis gummies from Kiva ($23), there’s otherwise no food — and no alcohol — sold at Moe Greens. Outside food and beverage is allowed — preferably just a snack or sandwich, not a stack of pizzas. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.'
https://sf.eater.com/2019/1/29/18200811/moe-greens-cannabis-consumption-lounge-dispensary-opens-san-francisco
'Still, if there’s one trait the Dutch capital possesses in volume, it’s dynamism. Amsterdam has always been avant-garde of social progress. In this year’s national elections, the city cast most votes for the Greens – a leftist party so named for espousing environmental priorities, though inevitably also associated with their other verdant leanings. Notable, too, is INTRAVAL’s calculation that Amsterdam still has one coffeeshop per every 4,907 residents, and that the nationwide decline feared originally “has somewhat stabilised.”
So while the outlook for dispensaries in the Netherlands is not cloud-free, the landscape remains fertile and varied, as the 10 Amsterdam coffeeshops below attest to. These are our picks for the best places to stop, sip a coffee, and sample both new and classic strains the next time you’re in the Netherlands.'
https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/10-best-amsterdam-cannabis-coffeeshops
'According to the proposal, dispensaries could sell “marijuana bud or flower in quantities not to exceed one gram to any one person per day” and “edible marijuana products in quantities not to exceed 10 mg of THC to any one person per day” to customers to consume on the premises.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/alaska-could-be-the-first-state-to-legalize-and-license-marijuana-lounges/
'For now, the Antoniellos have ceased operating the club. Chris Antoniello said the space will soon be stocked with items to sell. They’re processing refunds for members who had paid through the month of December.
He is frustrated by what he sees as a lack of guidelines about what is and is not legal. According to Antoniello, he was told by the state that the only places is it legal to consume marijuana is in a private home or a parked car.'
https://vtdigger.org/2018/12/12/pot-legalization-private-smoking-clubs-hazy-area/
'When it comes to navigating the maze of restrictions that came with Denver’s voter-passed law allowing marijuana use in licensed businesses, The Coffee Joint cracked the code. The first — and so far only — licensee under the 2016 ordinance is a combination coffee shop and bring-your-own-cannabis vape bar that’s within spitting distance of Interstate 25, south of West 13th Avenue, in a dingy industrial area'
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/08/18/denver-social-marijuana-use-program-struggling/
'Owners would be able to enact a cover charge and serve food on the premises, per the new ordinance, as long as the food is not marijuana-laced. Alcoholic beverage sales in separate rooms on the premises would also be allowed, as long as the drinks being sold contain less than 11 percent alcohol by volume.'
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/aug/28/las-vegas-officials-see-marijuana-lounges-opening/
'Unsurprisingly, San Francisco is the trailblazer. It’s the only city in the state to fully embrace Amsterdam-like coffee shops, the iconic tourist stops in the Netherlands where people can buy and smoke marijuana in the same shop.'
https://apnews.com/0e6ae176d4dd458fa2ceb5b5a70e0094
'For Palm Springs and Cathedral City, the concept of pot lounges fits into the resort economy officials are trying to bolster.
"It's really the next logical step, especially when you have a tourist economy like we do," said Cathedral City City Councilman Shelley Kaplan.
Most hotels don't allow smoking or vaping, Kaplan said, so it makes sense for cannabis lounges to be available.'
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-marijuana-lounges-20180417-story.html
'According to the task force, some of the rules, "specifically the distance requirements, created an overly burdensome regulatory process that is not experienced by other types of businesses." It's requested that the city re-evaluate the location requirements, as well as the high application fees for a social consumption business'
https://www.westword.com/marijuana/denver-task-force-recommends-changes-to-citys-social-marijuana-use-program-10825966
'“There’s a large group of people who want to enjoy cannabis socially, and I think this market is largely ignored because there are no profitable businesses out there,” said Taylor Rosean, Vape & Play’s co-owner and director of operations.
“If you consider the fact we have a mature cannabis production industry with nowhere for that cannabis to be consumed safely and legally (in social spaces), it’s absolutely insane.”'
https://mjbizdaily.com/build-it-and-they-will-come-cannabis-entrepreneurs-wager-big-bucks-on-social-consumption-venues/
'This news is a game-changer, and far surpasses what many describe as a stalled dispensary application process in Los Angeles’ Department of Cannabis Regulation. Throughout the country, there are only seven consumption lounges in San Francisco, one in Oakland, and one in Denver. But WeHo’s group of new businesses could place West Hollywood on par with Amsterdam, Netherlands for cannabis tourism, and maybe eventually surpass it.'
https://la.eater.com/2018/12/19/18148315/west-hollywood-cannabis-restaurant-cafe-consumption-lounge-los-angeles
'The adopted rules call for consumption areas that are outdoors or that are separated from a marijuana retail store by walls and a secure door and meet ventilation requirements. The board would have to find a proposed outdoor site is compatible with the surrounding area.
People could not bring their own marijuana to a consumption area. Stores with onsite use would have to have a smoke-free place for employees to monitor the consumption area.'
https://apnews.com/c3f81a280099486bb419805cbd0098b8
'“What we really need to get this tourism off the ground are these pot lounges, so we can actually legitimately say,‘Come to Nevada, purchase it and there’s a place to use it,” he told host Sam Shad.'
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jan/02/segerblom-marijuana-lounges-needed-to-capitalize-o/
'Late last year, a group of state assemblymen and county commissioners from Nevada toured San Francisco’s cafes and lounges to see how they’re run. They are determined to push through legislation to allow cannabis cafes in their own state.
Massachusetts’ state government is partnering with cities interested in allowing places for “social consumption” of cannabis to create rules and study the impact of the businesses.
In Oregon, state legislators are working to change state laws to allow cannabis cafes and lounges. Because state law requires cannabis to be used in private, many consumers, including tourists and renters in smoke-free buildings, have no place to use cannabis products. That means the state and its cities also will have to revise their current clean-air regulations, which were designed to protect the public from second-hand tobacco smoke.
New Jersey’s legalization bill includes provisions for bring-your-own social lounges and would allow hotels to designate up to 20% of their rooms as cannabis-friendly.'
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickkovacevich/2019/01/23/cannabis-cafes-are-coming/
'If enacted, the bill would allow for consumption and sale of marijuana at temporary events, as well as licensure and regulation of cannabis lounges.
The bill would also allow marijuana producers to offer tours to the public.'
https://kval.com/news/local/oregon-senate-schedules-hearing-on-bill-to-allow-cannabis-lounges-marijuana-farm-tours
'“This is something that’s not happening anywhere else in the U.S. yet,” Cary Carrigan, executive director of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, told the Associated Press. “As we start to develop this, people are really looking at us, so I know that everybody wants to get it right.”
Under the new rules, consumption area would have to be physically separated from retail spaces, either by a wall and a “secure door” or an outdoor patio. Businesses would have to provide security plans and adequate ventilation.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/alaska-is-officially-the-first-state-to-legalize-on-site-marijuana-consumption/
No comments:
Post a Comment