New rules will allow for cannabis consumption lounges in New Jersey like the Cola Lounge cannabis consumption venue in St. Louis, Missouri, owned by Brennan England. (Rebecca Rivas | Missouri Independent)
Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez hopes to host community events on the second floor of her soon-to-open cannabis dispensary, events like smoke-and-yoga sessions and comedy nights featuring cannabis.
“I think it’s really critical for us to create those safe spaces to consume,” said Brevard-Rodriguez, owner of The Other Side Dispensary in Jersey City. “But the other part of it is connecting with people … I think it’s really important for the culture of cannabis.”
Her goal is now closer to reality, with the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s recent approval of cannabis lounge rules. At its first meeting of the year last week , the commission unanimously approved rules allowing for consumption areas attached to certain dispensaries.
While recreational cannabis has been for sale since April 2022, there’s virtually no legal place to consume marijuana other than inside a private residence.