WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–City Officials announced yesterday that West Hollywood, California, will allow licensing of recreational-use cannabis consumption lounges and facilities, which will be a first for Los Angeles.
“For us to have these types of spaces that are welcoming and safe and where people can come and enjoy the product will also create that kind of appeal for our city as a safe destination for cannabis consumption,” West Hollywood Business Development Manager Jackie Rocco told local news channel ABC7.
According to media reports, the city will begin accepting applications in May for 16 available licenses. Half, or eight, of the licenses will be for smoking establishments, the other eight will be for vaping/edible lounges.
A meeting will be held April 11, 2-4pm, at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. to provide information on the license application and screening process.
Though city officials had earlier told mgmagazine.com that West Hollywood had no intention of becoming the “Amsterdam” of the West Coast, the municipality was also the first city in Los Angeles to begin recreational sales on January 2, at four dispensaries located in the city.
Progressive cannabis policy seems it may be at home in the location of longtime, world famous entertainment destinations like The Sunset Strip, and L.A.’s home of LGBTQ culture. West Hollywood is also the home of the first dispensary in Southern California, Alternative Herbal Health Services (AHHS).
“This is so very exciting and shows just how progressive of a City West Hollywood is,” said “Dr” Dina Browner, founder of AHHS. “Currently there is no place for tourists to medicate legally so this is a huge step in the right direction to keep people from smoking on the streets. We want to be responsible users, and this working in the right direction.”
