One would imagine that the first marijuana lounge in Illinois would be in a big city like Chicago, but alas, no.
The first lounge will be opening this weekend in the small city of Sesser and cannabis smokers will be able to legally light up in public for the very first time when it does.
The lounge’s owner Holly Roeder is optimistic that locals and visitors will support her new venture called The Luna Lounge.
“We’re providing a place to smoke cannabis, just like a bar — but with no alcohol,” Roeder explained.
Despite recreational legislation, Illinois prohibits consumption in public, including in motor vehicles and parks. People are allowed to smoke in their homes if landlords permit it.
The law also allows local governments to authorize smoking lounges for adults 21 and up, but only in licensed cannabis dispensary or a “retail tobacco store,” defined as a shop that generates 80% of more of its revenue from the sale of tobacco or smoking products.
The Luna Lounge isnot licensed to sell marijuana, so customers must bring their own legally purchased weed.
Customers will pay a $4.20 entry fee (the amount is a reference to smoking pot) and may buy CBD, pipes and rolling papers and rent bongs out of the old bank vault. There will also be entertainment, including bands, a fire eater and a tarot card reader for opening night.
Roeder has worked 10 years in the cannabis industry in California.
