The next frontier of cannabis legalization lies in lounges. Many Americans have access to legal cannabis but they can rarely consume it outside of their homes. As more states like Nevada and California pass legislation to include these social hubs, others may follow suit. A recently opened research cannabis lounge in Canada allows people to come light up with purpose.
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Toronto-based Club Lit opened next to Body and Mind Cannabis and Lit Research in October. The space serves as a social weed lounge, as well as an observational cannabis research laboratory run by the Science of Music, Auditory Research, and Technology (SMART) Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
“The research we conduct in this space will break new ground. I am particularly interested in the concept of absorption in music and to see how it might be altered while under the influence,” said SMART director Frank Russo in a press release, “Looking ahead, I can see how this might even open new avenues of research on music-based treatments for mental health.”
Canadian medical cannabis researcher Cannadigm partnered with TMU on this newly established artistic analysis hub. Lit Research operated for two and a half years before transitioning the space into Club Lit. In that time, Cannadigm collected data on over 12,000 products. The space is now split into two areas; the new lounge Club Lit and Lit Research, where companies can hold private product testing sessions.
What to expect when visiting Club Lit
The project is a senior thesis brainchild of research intern Lena Darakjian. Darakjian and the team predict that a specific level of highness could translate to the most positive musical experience. They also believe that any amount of cannabis in the system could heighten the enjoyment. Researchers hope that fine-tuning this understanding could provide insight into the therapeutic value of cannabis and music in tandem.
Visitors can bring their own weed or order delivery from Body and Mind next door and have it delivered to their lounge table. They will soon have tablets on each table for easy access to the dispensary menu and delivery ordering system.
Pieces like the Stundenglass, dab rigs, vapes, and rolling supplies are all available to rent. After their session, loungers can opt-in to the research by scanning the QR code at the table and answering a few questions.
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Club Lit is on the same block as the TMU student union and is open to the public from 3-11 PM EST, seven days a week. Eventually, according to a call with Club Lit manager Joel, Lit Research will evolve into a VIP lounge where people may be able to legally consume cannabis from anywhere in the world, provided it’s licensed and passes quality controls. Until then, researchers and Toronto stoners look forward to working together for science.
“We are excited to collaborate with TMU on this groundbreaking research initiative at Club Lit. Cannadigm is leveraging our team’s extensive cannabis knowledge and expertise to enhance consumer experiences, supporting academic research that has the potential to improve people’s enjoyment and quality of life,” Cannadigm president Al Shefsky concluded in the release.
