Two lounges for cannabis smoking have already opened in Illinois, and there are plans to open more.
DeKalb has two bring-yourself marijuana consumption locations. Plans are underway to open new locations in West Peoria, Carbondale, and the downstate Sesser.
It is still illegal to use weed in public places, such as in parks or streets, or on private property like apartments or hotels, where property owners prohibit it. These lounges allow adults aged 21 or over to vape or smoke and provide social gatherings for friends and acquaintances. Users are welcome to bring their own cannabis.
Investors in West Peoria hope to open a cannabis lounge this fall. The new cannabis lounge would be named High Harbor on the site where the Sky Harbor Steak House was. Christina Patellaro, a real estate agent, said that organizers plan to host comedy nights, music, corporate events and yoga classes after renovations are completed.
The City Council approved zoning approval for the idea this summer. Ronald DiGiacomo is the founder and vice-president of Trinity Compassionate Care Centers which has two cannabis shops in Peoria.
Trinity and High Harbor plan to host their outdoor opening event Sept. 10-11 at West Peoria. It will feature vendors, artists, live music and art, as well as musicians and artisans. There will be no on-site cannabis sales, but you can bring your own.
Patellaro stated that they hope to create a space for people to use cannabis and be creative.
Carbondale's recreational cannabis shop has suggested opening a state-of-the-art dispensary that would allow customers to consume marijuana. Consume Cannabis has been working to create the space.
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Steven Mitchell, Economic Development Director of the City Council, stated that they are fully supportive of the cannabis industry. Since cannabis was first discovered, cannabis has been around for a long time. Southern Illinois University was known as a hippie-town in the 1960s, 70s. Many people came from Chicago and brought a new culture to the area. It has remained.
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, has a new cannabis research centre. However, the university generally prohibits cannabis from its properties. The lounge, however, can offer an alternative. Dr. Christine Heck is the manager of Consume Cannabis. She is also the CEO of Progressive Treatment Solutions. Although they are licensed to grow cannabis in East St. Louis she did not immediately respond to a request for explanations.
Holly Roeder expected to find young stoners when she opened Luna Lounge in rural Sesser, in July. She was surprised to discover that the majority of her clients were over 40 and even 90 years old, many of whom are medical marijuana patients.
She said that we see 70-year old men with tie-dye walking in with 60-year-olds. That is what I love.
Luna Lounge has been open for more than a month and is still thriving. On weekends, it can draw 70 people to see bands. Although it is not licensed to sell alcohol or cannabis, customers can bring their own marijuana and rent or purchase bongs or pipes to smoke. Officials claim there have not been any problems.
Aromas Hookah Bar, located in DeKalb, offers tobacco and allows customers to bring their own cannabis. The store opened in June and offers promotions like a $12 fee to smoke unlimited cannabis in the lounge or $5 on Wednesdays with free arcade games. You can also get snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as board games.
Cameron Dye, co-owner, said that the summer went slower than he had hoped. However, he expects that more students will be in attendance now that Northern Illinois University has resumed fall classes. However, they do not allow cannabis on campus. Cameron Dye planned to be at Corn Fest last Saturday, handing out promotional flyers with back-to school specials.
He said that it was so new people don't believe it is real. They were shocked that something like this was possible, especially since it was right next to the police station.
Customer Carla Curry, a 1,900-person town, said that she cannot smoke in her home due to the fact that it is publicly subsidized and marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Curry, a 55 year-old grandmother, stated that she has had three back surgeries and is currently a licensed medical marijuana user.
She believes customers have a common bond because they share the same treatment for their anxiety and pain. Users of cannabis say that it is beneficial and benign in an area plagued by methamphetamine addiction.
She said that Percocet, Xanax, and muscle relaxants nearly killed her. She said that cannabis has helped her get off all the pills. She said that it changed her life.
She said that her customers are like family. Everybody welcomes you.
Chris Duke is a licensed cannabis cultivator with IESO. He works part-time in a bank vault converted into a lounge. Here he teaches customers how to use water pipes and bongs, as well as other paraphernalia.
He said that people are amazed at the relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is having fun laughing and having conversations. Everyone shares. People are able to mix and chat with other people.
There are still many obstacles to opening a Chicago smoking site. The City Council has not yet approved Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposal to allow smoking in public places. State legislation to expand cannabis tours and consumption sites failed last session. However, it is expected that this will be reconsidered.
rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com
