West Hollywood Just Approved Cannabis Cafes and Lounges — And It's a "Game Changer"

Lisa Vanderpump's food and drink hotspots are about to get some lively competition in the party-minded city of West Hollywood: The city has just approved cannabis cafes and lounges, slated to hit town in 2019.

West Hollywood — which is actually its own municipality in Los Angeles County, surrounded by the city of Los Angeles — delivered news described by Eater as both “a surprise announcement” and a “game changer,” releasing the names of cannabis restaurant, cafe, and consumption lounge businesses approved to take to the streets in 2019. The city made its selection after screening 300 applicants over a seven-month period.

What that means is, “West Hollywood will have actual eateries, lounges, and cafes that allow smoking, vaping, and/or munching on edibles and weed-infused food,” according to Eater. Basically — think Amsterdam, but with a greater likelihood of running into the Vanderpump Rules pals or The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ladies. Or yes — definitely a particular Shahs of Sunset pal who lives that cannabis lifestyle.

Each of the businesses will be required to get a West Hollywood business license within the next 12 months, and secure a physical location.

“This news is a game-changer, and far surpasses what many describe as a stalled dispensary application process in Los Angeles’ Department of Cannabis Regulation. Throughout the country, there are only seven consumption lounges in San Francisco, one in Oakland, and one in Denver,” according to Eater. “But WeHo’s group of new businesses could place West Hollywood on par with Amsterdam, Netherlands for cannabis tourism, and maybe eventually surpass it.”