Why should we care about consumption lounges? First and foremost, consumption lounges provide patients with a safe and reliable space to consume their medicine. States are starting to understand that they need to pair protections with permission. For example, New York included language in the MRTA that prohibits employers from penalizing employees for the legal and private consumption of cannabis, and California has a similar bill moving through the legislature. But, while NY should be applauded, such policies are rare and housing protections are nearly non-existent. This means that for patients, sometimes consumption lounges are the only safe option.

Photo by: RODNAE Productions

The MRTA does not limit the number of licenses that can be issued by the state. It does, however, establish a licensing system that limits the number and type of licenses a single entity can hold. As a result, operators cannot be vertically integrated, meaning a single entity has to choose between license categories as opposed to maintaining the operation of all license categories under one umbrella. This model enables small businesses to compete with industry titans, and prevents titans from using their abundant resources to gobble licenses and edge-out competition.

Photo by: Steve Richey

Legal cannabis in Texas is moving forward but at a slow pace, and down a long road. Texas first authorized medical access in 2015 through the enactment of the Texas Compassionate Use Act (TCUA), however patient qualifications (there was only one) and THC volumes (0.5% THC cap) were extremely limited. Only in recent years (2019 & 2021) has the Texas legislature voted to reduce enrollment requirements, expand patient eligibility, and increase THC volume from 0.5% to 1% by weight.

Photo by: Enrique Macias