Las Vegas makes some pretty big claims about itself, such as hosting the world’s biggest Formula 1 race, having the world’s biggest chocolate fountain (at the Bellagio), and being home to the world’s biggest trade show (Consumer Electronics Show). Considering that the city also bills itself as the entertainment capital of the world, none of that should come as much of a surprise, but check this: as of November 2018, Vegas is also home to the world’s biggest dispensary.
That would be Planet 13, a 115,000 square foot “entertainment complex” that is way more than just a storefront (we’ll get to that). A good friend who goes to Vegas frequently for work had told me about it, but recently I got to experience the place first-hand. And it is an experience.
When you’re accustomed to shopping at mom-and-pop-shop style dispensaries, just walking up to this place kind of takes you back. To greet you, there’s blaring music (AC/DC’s “Back In Black” on this occasion) and a red, spherical fountain in addition to the overall sprawl. Once you check in and step past the virtual aquarium, you’re free to head for the dispensary or explore the grounds.
The dispensary is like Toys R Us for stoners — big, open, airy, and all manner of cannabis as far as the eye can see. It’s a beautiful, inviting facility and the kind of place you’ll enjoy just browsing (though c’mon, we both know you’re gonna buy something). Display cases containing flower, vapes, topicals, and, of course, edibles are scattered across the retail floor, while checkout counters ring the exterior. Each counter is numbered, and one is assigned to you when you enter.
You’re free to browse at your leisure, but your assigned budtender is available to answer any questions. As someone who vehemently hates the way the staff hovers over me at many dispensaries, I greatly appreciate this approach.
The rest of the complex includes a coffee bar, a place to buy merch and souvenirs, a tattoo parlor, a forthcoming museum, and two particularly unique attractions: Dazed, a consumption bar that you enter through a phone booth, speakeasy style, and a customer-facing production facility where they make their house brand edibles. It was closed for the day when I visited, but during operating hours, 115 feet of windows give customers a nice look at gummies, chocolates, and beverages as they’re being made.
Planet 13 pretty clearly caters to tourists, as it sits about a mile off the Strip, offers free shuttle service to most of the Strip hotels, and the dispensary is open 24/7. Also, prices here are higher than what I’ve encountered at my local dispensaries for the same or similar products, and that speaks to the tourism angle as well.
If you’ve been to Vegas, you already know there’s plenty to do and see. Even so, I can safely say it’s worth putting a visit to Planet 13 on your itinerary.