The Arcata Planning Commission will convene tomorrow to consider granting a permit to a dispensary to open a weed-smoking lounge — for the second meeting in a row.

Last month, the commission approved Pacific Paradise’s application to open a lounge next to its dispensary on H Street. Humboldt’s Premium, the dispensary at I Street and Samoa Boulevard, wants to open its own. A crucial difference from Pacific Paradise’s: This one’s going to be outside, should the commission bless the project. 

There’s already a “consumption patio” out back that the commission approved in 2022, but users are currently limited to noncombustible methods of intoxication — e.g., edibles or THC-infused drinks. Co-owner James Alves told the Outpost it gets some “spotty” use, mostly by the midday lunchtime crowd. Not all of them get high. He expects increased usage if his application is approved. He indicated they’d let people begin smoking not long after its approval.

James and Amy Alves, the other owner, applied for the permit in July. According to the staff report, they spent several months filing paperwork that’d prove smoke from the patio wouldn’t drift into any nearby apartments, the street or the adjacent Jolly Giant Creek. They cited research that indicates the prevailing northwest winds around the business will push the cannabis stank away from any homes. (Also, they noted, the abundant Highway 255 gasoline fumes already permeate the block.)

If anyone complains about any noxious smells or smoke, the city says they’ll investigate. The owners wrote that they’ll look into installing a large air purifier, or maybe several smaller tabletop purifiers.

The creek’s proximity gave the California Coastal Commission’s opinion some weight, but its staff said late last month they weren’t concerned, as long as the business provided noncombustible ash trays and removed all of the litter within 100 feet of the patio every day.

Like Pacific Paradise’s lounge, smokers would have to enter the patio through the business and would be banned from smoking tobacco or drinking. The Humboldt’s Premium lounge, however, will be mellower than the competition, James said. He compared the experience to eating outside at a restaurant — “a nice, peaceful place to hang out,” he said.

James wants to give people a safe, clean place to smoke, he said. He’s noticed cannabis trash littered around town, and he hopes opening a dedicated space might cut that down. “It seems like when people have to hide stuff, they become messier,” he said. “Like, they leave packaging around because there’s nowhere really to put it, right?”

The Arcata Planning Commission will meet November 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 736 F Street.