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DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac City Council moved Monday to approve an amendment to its marijuana ordinance that will allow social consumption of cannabis in designated areas of dispensaries. 

Consumption lounges are places where people can go to socialize and consume cannabis. The resolution will add designated consumption licenses as an authorized permit type and set the limit at three of those licenses. The item had been tabled during a meeting last month after councilmember Laura Desilets asked for more information regarding the proposed amendment before making the decision. 

According to council documents, when the City adopted their adult use marijuana license regulations in 2022, the actions included a resolution which established the types and number of establishments allowed. Those included three each of growing establishments, processor establishments, secure transporter establishments and safety compliance facilities. It also provided for six total retailer and/or microbusiness establishments. 

At that time, the council chose to prohibit consumption establishments, event organizer and marihuana event permits. There has been some discussion of the last couple of years among city leaders about adding consumption lounges as an acceptable permit type but there was not enough information from similar sized communities to determine potential impacts. After seeing  similarly sized communities in Hartford, Jones and New Buffalo offering consumption lounges, the city found those operations to have minimal impact on police enforcement.

Tyler Cahall, owner of Twisted Bee Cannabis Dispensary, 56271 M-51 S, Dowagiac, believes consumption lounges will provide safe and supportive environments for enthusiasts to consume cannabis. The facility has approximately 5,000 square feet currently unused that Cahall is renovating into a consumption lounge. Cahall estimates his lounge – which would become just the fourth in the entire state – could be open as early as January or February if the state application and inspection processes go smoothly. 

“The entire team here at the Twisted Bee are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring something new and exciting to the Dowagiac community,” Cahall said. “With the approval of our new consumption lounge, we’re not only creating a welcoming space for community events and activities but also providing a safe and educational environment for responsible cannabis consumption.

Cahall views the consumption lounge as the “next step” for the business, especially given the high tax rate on the cannabis industry. The lounge – which will feature a bar area, indoor and outdoor seating, TVs, snacks and mocktails – is intended to be a fun vibe and a community resource, not just a place for parties or events. It aims to offer something different from local bars, catering to a generation that increasingly prefers cannabis over alcohol.

“We’ve seen the repercussions of alcoholism,” Cahall said. “Our generation would much rather pick up a joint over alcohol and mocktails are a popular alternative as well.”

For Cahall, a key mission for his consumption lounge is education and safety. He plans to use the space as a platform for medical professionals to host events and discuss products, showing people how to use cannabis safely and responsibly.

According to Cahall, the dispensary is already a draw for Dowagiac residents and beyond, with many people driving from Niles because they “love our vibe.”

“We literally had to set up a Niles discount because we get so many Niles people,” said General Manager George Santos.

Cahall thanked the council for approving the ordinance amendment. He said his business is focused on using the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I want to sincerely thank Mayor Lyons, the Dowagiac City Council, Matt Money, Eileen Crouse and all the community members who took the time to attend meetings, ask thoughtful questions and share in our vision for this project,” he said. “Their openness and support mean so much, and I’m excited to see this space become a positive addition to our community.”