COMMON Wealth Cannabis LLC, the first marijuana lounge in the CNMI, is now open in Garapan. It is located on Micro Beach Road, next to the former Victoria Hotel.
The lounge, which also sells cannabis, obtained its Lounge Class II License and retailer or dispensary license on July 21, 2021.
According to the CNMI Cannabis Commission, the Lounge Class II License permits a licensee to allow consumers, 21 years of age or older, to bring marijuana items to the licensed premises for on-site consumption.
Common Wealth’s retail shop is adjacent to the lounge and has marijuana items available for sale and consumption in the lounge area.
Alexis Hofschneider, the lounge’s general manager, said people can only purchase up to one ounce or 28 grams of marijuana. They can buy the product from the dispensary and consume it in the lounge. They can also bring their own marijuana to the lounge.
“Just a little advice to those who want to patronize the product in the dispensary and lounge: please be respectful to everyone else in the room,” Hofschneider said. “We want to give everyone a safe, comfortable and clean lounge,” she added.
Outside the lounge are the security personnel who conduct identification checks to make sure those who come in are 21 years or older, she added.
Commonwealth Cannabis Commission acting Managing Director Janina Maratita said there are now seven licenses issued to local cannabis businesses — three produce licenses, three retail or dispensary licenses, and a lounge Class II license.
She said those who hold a home-grown license can only grow marijuana at home for their own personal consumption. They cannot sell their product to anybody including retailers or dispensaries.
Common Wealth LLC general manager Alexis Hofschneider gestures as she briefs the media about the cannabis lounge on Friday.
