Oakland’s Historic Parkway Theater May Become Huge “Cannabis Lounge”

Thanks to Biz Journal for sharing the news that Oakland’s historic Parkway Theater might be become an entertainment center that’s not only a theater, but also a restaurant and cannabis lounge.

Oakland’s City Planning Commission will have a hearing next week to determine approval of the high-density assembly use permit for the 16,000 square-foot space, which has been vacant since 2009. The new venture, Ivy Hill at the Parkway, would hold nearly 500 persons inside, and would be possibly the first of its kind in the state.

The first incarnation for the space will be a dispensary, which will transform the space that was previously the theater’s concessions and ticket booth. The dispensary portion of the business plans to open by mid March, as the permits have already been secured and construction has just completed.

If the permitting goes ahead as planned, the full build out will take at least another year. When complete, the entertainment venue would host comedy shows, movies, concerts and stage performances — all without alcohol, since laws prohibit a venue to serve both cannabis and alcohol.

Read more at Biz Journal.