First Cannabis Restaurant Has 30-Day Waiting List
The first Cannabis restaurant in the U.S. will open in West Hollywood, California
This coming month of October marks an important milestone in the cannabis industry as the first Cannabis restaurant in the U.S. will open in West Hollywood, California. Lowell Café is the first establishment out of 300 that applied for recently made available business licenses in the City of West Hollywood to open up shop. While it is still illegal to smoke marijuana in public areas, even in states where the drug has been legalized for recreational use, in 2017 the city approved ordinances that would allow businesses that would cater to this need.
This move is expected to help push forward more reforms in other cities that would allow more liberties for open and social recreational use of cannabis. Colorado residents and visitors can look forward to legalized cannabis lounges in early 2020. This is following Governor Jared Polis’s decision to sign off on a bill in May that would allow social pot consumption permits for qualified businesses.
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California cannabis business are reaping the rewards!
The Lowell Herb Co. is one of the biggest brand names in the California cannabis business. It is well known for its pre-roll joints that are popularly stocked in Hollywood dispensaries; being able to make cannabis consumption more mainstream is a step in the right direction. According to the company CEO and co-founder, David Elias, “the restaurant marks a historic moment in steering the normalization of the plant”.
Lowell Café has gotten off to a stellar start with walk-up wait times lasting anywhere between 20 minutes to over an hour. Guests are advised to make reservations online, which are available 30 days in advance.
In keeping with the laws regarding cannabis purchase and consumption, guests must be 21 years or older and must check-in with valid government identification. Check-in is quickly done and visitors can wait for their tables at a designated outdoor area or at the bar. The restaurant space comprises of an indoor bar area and tables where guests can smoke and eat, with a neighboring outdoor garden patio.
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Le Cordon Bleu Graduates Excel in Cannabis
Though it’s a cannabis restaurant, the food menu is not cannabis-infused. Rather, the menu options are carefully crafted to pair well with guests’ choice of cannabis products such as flowers or buds, beverages, pre-packaged edibles, vapes, and concentrates. This is somewhat similar to how restaurants arrange a menu that is carefully matched to a particular wine list.
Le Cordon Bleu graduate, executive chef and co-owner Andrea Drummer, has focused her menu on seasonal and farm-fresh choice of ingredients with an emphasis on comfort foods. They include the pulled pork shoulder with blueberry barbecue sauce, tomato carpaccio with red onion, basil and burrata, jalapeno mac & cheese bites, and jerk lamb chops with mango salsa. The menu also offers vegan options with a good selection of hearty salads. Depending on the severity of munchies you may experience, there is plenty of delectable food to choose from.
Due to certain legalities, there is a separation between the food and cannabis businesses. The menus and their servers are separate. Food and alcohol can be paid for using credit cards but cannabis is paid for on a cash basis only so plan accordingly. If you do not have cash, you can make use of the ATM made available in the corridor leading to the bathrooms.
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The Experience at Lowell Co.
The cannabis menu is quite extensive with products of varied THC and CBD levels to try. Whether you are a novice or experienced user, there is something for everyone. The flower hosts are expected to help guests in making suitable choices of products. While you can bring your own product and pay a cover charge to enjoy it in the space, paraphernalia like bongs are not permitted, but you can, however, rent them.
Do keep in mind that there is a seating limit of 90 minutes so be aware when making your choice of cannabis product and when you consume it. The restaurant recommends that guests be prepared to call for transport like Uber or Lyft if they have no designated driver. If you are ready to enjoy your weed socially with like-minded people without fear of contravening the law, make your reservations at Lowell Café in West Hollywood.
If you’re looking to stock up on some of the largest selections of cannabis products in the San Diego market, you can visit a downtown dispensary like Harbor Collective just 1 mile south of the Gaslamp Quarters. If we’re too far from your area, don’t worry. Check out HotBox and their list of dispensaries near your area.