Following is a transcript of the video.
Joe Avella: The Lowell Farms Cannabis Cafe is the first restaurant in the US that allows the open consumption of cannabis. What's weird about it is, like, how not weird this is. What was I gonna say? Ah, who cares?
Located in West Hollywood, it offers a full-service lunch and dinner menu from world-class chef Andrea Drummer. And an array of cannabis flower, edibles, and dabs, both from the Lowell brand and other vendors, for patrons to enjoy with their meal. Lowell Cafe has been featured in Fortune, The New York Times, even "The Howard Stern Show" paid a visit.
The café opened on October 1 and is quickly becoming a garden oasis in the city for folks to smoke and chill. Guys, this is, like, the greatest thing I've ever had.
Customer: First time ever smoking in a public restaurant like this. It's awesome. It's not a big deal. This should be everywhere.
Customer: It's kind of a new experience that we can have now.
Customer: This is a judgment-free zone. Just to have fun, just relax, just hang out with your friends.
Joe: But opening the first cannabis café in the United States was not easy. Approval required a lengthy application process to the state and county.
Lily Estanislao: Lowell put together a really tremendous application to the city of West Hollywood. I think we were one of the first to apply. There were over 300 applicants, and we were one of eight licenses that were given to do a cannabis-run business. A lot of the concerns for the neighbors were the smell of the cannabis in the air, as well as maybe perhaps some, like, loitering around the facility. But we have an incredible security team that helps us with that. And with regards to the smell, we put in a state-of-the-art ventilation system. We have a ventilation system on our outdoor patio, which kind of, like, pulls in the smoke, and the same for our indoor patio as well. You'll notice it is a little bit smoky when you walk inside, but it's definitely not what it would be without the ventilation system, for sure. We also have fragrant flowers all around the venue.
Joe: I remember when bars, where you could smoke in them, and if this many people were smoking in a bar back in the day, it would have been like, "I can't see anything." So the ventilation system is working wonderfully. Walk-ups are welcome, but I suggest getting a reservation.
You check-in at security and once again when your table's ready. You can sit indoors, at the bar, or in the outdoor patio. Once seated, a flower host comes by to talk you through the cannabis-ordering process.
Bianca Blanche: We would talk a little bit about the menu, the cannabis menu, and we would talk a little bit about the effect that you're looking for, your previous experience, your tolerance.
Joe: So, what would be something that would make me want to talk more, stimulate my mind? I don't want to space out. I kind of want to, like, lock-in.
Bianca: Like, focus?
Joe: Yeah, focus and host a great video. And also be able to speak coherently.
Bianca: Absolutely.
Joe: I have a tendency of getting high and just being like, "See ya!" [crickets chirping] Yeah, this is pretty cool. I wish I lived right here. Which is not the most entertaining thing to watch, at least I don't think.
Bianca: Sure.
Joe: So I want something that's gonna be a little more like, "All right, here we go."
Bianca: OK, so with all of that, I would probably suggest the Super Sour Diesel.
Joe: Yo.
Bianca: It's an excellent strain. I think everyone's familiar with it, for the most part. It's really uplifting and euphoric, without being too racy. We also have a Jack on the menu, but Jacks can be a little speedy. It could potentially induce some paranoia, so I wouldn't. I would say the Sour Diesel. So, right now you're at $29.41. Did you want to do...
Joe: [laughs] Wait. How big is this joint?
The cannabis can be a bit pricey. And Lowell does allow you to bring your own, for a fee.
Lily: We have a "tokeage" fee, kind of similar to a corkage fee. It is $30 per person.
Joe: All the cannabis is in a secure room that few people have access to. We were not allowed to film it, but I did get a peek, and it's glorious. When cannabis is ordered, a stock person hands it to the flower host, and the host brings it to you. What's weird about it is, like, how not weird this is. It's, like, a bizarre feeling, just to be all like, "Yep, no big deal." I am so hungry now. [laughs]
Andrea Drummer: I'm surprised that people are surprised that it happened. I wanted to put forth things that were familiar and some comfort foods that support cannabis consumption if you will.
Joe: And support it does. Lowell has classic American fare like burgers, wings, fries, and these vegan nachos, all meant to pair with cannabis. You guys better take some footage of this right now, 'cause I'm starving. This is like a dream come true. Right? This is, like, the best idea ever. I love the vibe at Lowell. It's super chill, and everyone is so relaxed and positive. [laughs] Everyone's stoned.
Yeah, OK, I may have had too good of a time. I don't know what to say right now. Everyone's high. It's so weird.
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