Is Cannabis Tourism Still a Thing?

They call Las Vegas the Entertainment Capital of the World. Sin City is where tourists go to escape reality, to indulge in the unusual, the spectacular, and sometimes… the smoky. But lately, the city's cannabis experience is looking more like a disappearing act.

On April 4, Thrive Cannabis Marketplace’s Smoke and Mirrors Lounge shut its doors—just two months after making headlines as one of Nevada’s first legal cannabis consumption lounges. The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Here in a city where you can drink on the street and gamble in your hotel lobby, lighting up a joint legally has proven to be more complicated than pulling off a magic show.

Smoke and Mirrors was supposed to be the start of a new chapter in cannabis tourism, not the end of one. For years, Vegas has attracted visitors from across the world looking to explore legal cannabis. But consumption lounges were the missing piece—until finally, in 2024, they were approved. And now? The only lounge still standing is Dazed, tucked inside Planet 13 on Desert Inn Road.

Tourists like Parish Maynard are confused. “There should be more lounges out there, especially if you’re in a legal space and bringing money to the city,” he said, echoing the thoughts of many. “At least have some places for people to use and partake.”

The numbers speak volumes. In 2024, Nevada raked in more than $829 million in taxable cannabis sales. Yet when it comes to providing safe, legal spaces for consumption, the state has dropped the ball.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board says 21 additional lounges have been approved, with 10 more licenses in waiting—but approvals don’t mean openings, and no one seems to know when or if they’ll actually launch.

Cannabis lounges were pitched as a game-changer, especially for tourists staying in hotels where smoking isn’t allowed. But the red tape, startup costs, and a patchwork of rules have turned that dream into a logistical nightmare. In a city that thrives on quick thrills, the cannabis experience has become slow and uncertain.

As tourist Nasir put it, “It would be nice to have a little lounge area to kick back. I do appreciate it if they would let us smoke at least for outdoor areas.”

The truth is, cannabis tourism isn’t fading—it’s just being mismanaged.

There’s still an appetite. There’s still demand. But Las Vegas, a city built on entertainment, needs to embrace cannabis with the same creativity and commitment it shows for shows, dining, and nightlife.

Cannabis lounges should feel like part of the Vegas experience: stylish, fun, and unforgettable. They could offer tastings, pairings, performances, art, and education—not just be sterile spaces with strict rules. This is Vegas, baby. We should be doing cannabis differently.

Until that happens, cannabis tourism in Las Vegas remains a missed opportunity. The stage is set, but the curtains haven’t opened.