It will be the first in San Diego County. But the Sessions by the Bay cannabis lounge will not likely be the last.
“We're a first of its kind, immersive cannabis lounge,” said owner and CEO Alex Ayon while standing on the roof of the three-story enterprise.
Ayon said once it’s completed, Sessions by the Bay in National City will have a downstairs dispensary; a second-floor lounge with food, drinks, and entertainment; and a third-floor rooftop lounge. The first two floors are expected to open by mid-January.
“It's a space where we're hoping to not just sell you something but provide a full experience,” Ayon said.
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Sessions by the Bay will be the first place in San Diego County where you can buy and consume cannabis products in a restaurant setting. Ayon said new state law and local support paved the way for customers to eat edibles, drink infused beverages, and smoke products on site.
“They've recently developed a lot of regulations specifically for lounge environments,” he explained.
A newcomer might picture one of Amsterdam’s cannabis cafes. Ayon said he’s thinking bigger.
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“Certainly, they've pioneered the concept, but we're taking it to a new level.”
There are already several lounges operating in California. Sessions by the Bay will be San Diego County’s first. It shares a parking lot with the Marina Gateway hotel and Kimball restaurant right off the Interstate 5 in National City.
