Dispensaries intrigue me the most about the legal marijuana market. To be fair, this is the biggest thing happening right now as regulations in Illinois make innovation an arduous task. Nonetheless, I do find it enjoyable to visit different dispensaries and scope out the vibes. I find the dance between removing the stigma and maintaining the culture an awkward one, often to my own amusement.
I recently visited Illinois’ first (and as far as I know the only) marijuana consumption lounge in Mundelein. Rise dispensary is setting the bar for what the future holds for cannabis consumption spaces in Illinois. Here is my take on my two visits there so far
Location:
The location is easy to get to. It’s not on a busy road so it is a straightforward find. Navigation is relatively convenient and parking is plentiful.
Most dispensaries I’ve visited make the entrance and purchase of cannabis feel very much like a regulated process, in effect cutting the warmth of the experience. There is visible security, slow lines for checking in, locked doors and roped areas in an attempt to herd customers efficiently. For a person like me – who will smoke weed no matter what – it’s not much of a bother. I’m certain it’s more pleasant than a trap house but I imagine it can be intimidating to a newcomer. However, one visit will assure most people that the process is what it is and it’s not so much of a barrier to turn anyone away.
Rise is located in an industrial area, so it’s not the scenic route, but upon entering it is anything but drab.
The dispo vibes:
If Starbucks were a dispensary it would look like Rise. The music and decor give a coffee shop feel – there are lots of seated areas and an open floor plan. It seems like a welcome place to hang out, but no one was actually hanging out when I went. Although the look is encouraging, it doesn’t seem functional so far.
The smoke lounge:
The smoke lounge had a similar decor as the dispo with a more intimate feel. The music is lo-fi speakeasy and the volume was perfectly selected. It was loud enough for Shazam to detect (if you hear a new fav), but not so loud that you had to shout a conversation.
The seating wasn’t very comfortable, but that becomes irrelevant when you’re stoned.
On my first visit I realized it was much more stripped down than I imagined. It was more straightforward and less intimidating than shopping at a heavily regulated dispo.
All around pros:
- The service was excellent. Everyone I came in contact with was super nice and professional. I got the feel that they genuinely cared about my experience. The staff is also pretty accommodating which is really dope if it continues to be a part of the smokeasy culture.
- This is great for single people looking to just smoke and maybe surf the web, work on their laptop, or people watch. I liked riding the wave there and vibing to the music and chilling out for a bit. I definitely prefer the solo experience here.
All around cons:
- In my opinion, it’s not as good in a group setting. As a person who has smoked with a group of people and loves it as an activity, I found the lounge was lacking that je ne sais quoi that makes the experience of sharing a joint special. I suspect that it’s too clean and organized. This setting has its place, but it is not the same as smoking and hanging out with buds (no pun intended). Maybe it would be better for formal smoke sessions.
- After getting high and chilling, I was a little bored. This is not a night-out-on-the-town place to go. If you’re looking for a party, look elsewhere.
- The two hour time limit is a bit of a buzzkill.
- No food + as much weed as you can smoke in two hours = epic fail. You can (and should) bring your own food or get something delivered. No outside beverages are allowed.
- There is no fee, but you have to buy products there to smoke. This is not entirely a con, as businesses gotta do what they gotta do, but as a consumer I would prefer maybe renting pieces, buying cones, or even a straight cover. I wouldn’t mind paying for a bowl of cereal perhaps or maybe some juice either – just sayin’.
Overall, Rise smoke easy lounge is accommodating to its guests and offers a new kind of experience we haven’t been exposed to ever before. However, their bark is bigger than their bite, as it’s mostly just a big room to smoke in public. I find that it doesn’t offer much else besides a space, albeit a nice one. It definitely has a place, but I think the future demands a lot more of an overall experience when it comes to a night out with Mary Jane.