While like in here in the UK the number of alcohol drinkers drop each year as the latest generations seemed turned-off by spirits and beer, US cannabis laws are allowing pot lounges and here is where growth is happening, according to SevenFiftyDaily.

A Gallup poll found that 49 percent of US adults have used cannabis compared to 45 percent two years earlier. It appears in early studies that younger generations, the first to have widespread legal access to recreational cannabis as soon as they turned of age, have an even stronger preference for cannabis.

A survey by the cannabis research firm New Frontier Data found that 69 percent of people aged 18 to 24 preferred cannabis over alcohol. Another survey from Technomic found that 38 percent of Gen Z would visit a cannabis lounge to consume, which is comparable to the 41 percent who said they would visit a bar for drinks, presaging a future world in which the two options coexist.

However, while this might be the trend of the moment, no one is sure if it’s got legs.

Brandon Dorsky, CEO of cannabis edible brand Fruit Slabs, says he expects the draw of cannabis lounges could be short-lived.

“While consumption lounges are a great option for tourists, people with children who cannot consume at home, and those wanting a novelty experience, they are still expensive relative to consuming outside of the lounge,” Dorskey told SevenFiftyDaily. “Being able to publicly consume cannabis without fear of retribution from the law is an exciting thought and something that may trigger someone to do it once, but not repetitively unless they love to consume cannabis.” 

An issue too is that many users of cannabis in the States prefer the use of edibles as opposed to inhaling cannabis. If you’re partaking at a lounge, what will you do for the one to two hours before the effects start kicking in?

In the UK, cannabis lounges for the time are not an issue. However, many people that the laws pertaining to cannabis will change if and when the Tories leave office. Already most polices forces are not enforcing drug laws when it comes to personal use.

Still, even if cannabis is decriminalised in the UK, there will still be the issue of production. Will this be decriminalised as well?