Cannabis lounges (formally referred to as “cannabis consumption areas”) are coming to towns in New Jersey soon. In early December, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, (the “Commission”) proposed rules regarding the regulation of New Jersey cannabis lounges.
The Commission’s proposed rules would allow cannabis retail dispensaries to operate indoor or enclosed outdoor consumption lounges for patrons twenty-one years of age and older.
Lounges must be attached to a retail-licensed dispensary. Therefore, one cannot open a standalone cannabis lounge without having a cannabis retail license. In addition, both the township in which the dispensary and proposed lounge is to be located and the Commission must approve the application for the cannabis lounge.
The lounges would operate like breweries, where the lounge cannot sell food or drinks on site, but patrons can bring or order outside food or drinks (excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco).