Support Our Petition to Bring Cannabis Events to Palm Springs Lounge Spaces

We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and visitors of Palm Springs, are calling on the Palm Springs City Council to lift the outdated ban on cannabis-related events in licensed lounge spaces. By signing this petition, you can help transform Palm Springs into a vibrant hub for cannabis culture, aligning our city with California’s progressive Assembly Bill 1775 (signed September 2024). We seek to allow events like educational seminars, puff-and-paint art sessions, live music performances, volunteer initiatives, and industry podcasts in regulated cannabis lounges. These changes will boost the local economy, reallocate misspent tax dollars, and foster community engagement, all while maintaining public safety and compliance.

Why This Matters

Palm Springs has been a leader in California’s legal cannabis industry since Proposition 64 (2016), with licensed dispensaries generating millions in tax revenue to fund essential services like public safety and infrastructure. However, the city’s blanket prohibition on all cannabis-related events in lounge spaces—enforced by taxpayer-funded staff who monitor dispensaries for activities as simple as a DJ or a seminar—stifles local businesses and diverts customers to neighboring cities like Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. This ban not only contradicts state law but also undermines Palm Springs’ reputation as a forward-thinking tourism destination.

Key Issues with the Current Ban

Wasteful Spending of Tax Dollars: The city employs staff specifically to visit dispensaries and ensure no events occur, diverting crucial funds from pressing needs like road repairs, public safety, or community programs. With cannabis tax revenue already declining from $4.4 million in 2020/2021 to a projected $3.2 million in 2024/2025, this enforcement is an inefficient use of resources.

Economic Losses: Neighboring cities that allow cannabis events attract customers seeking unique experiences, causing Palm Springs dispensaries to lose foot traffic and revenue. The number of active cannabis licenses has dropped from 31 in April 2023 to 20 in April 2025, reflecting the strain on local businesses.

Misalignment with State Law: California’s AB 1775 permits licensed cannabis lounges to host events, including live entertainment and non-cannabis food and beverage sales. Palm Springs’ ban, which even prohibits non-consumption events like educational workshops, puts our city at odds with state progress and hurts local businesses.

Missed Community Opportunities: Cannabis lounges are ideal for hosting events that promote education, creativity, and civic engagement. From puff-and-paint sessions to volunteer drives, these activities could enhance Palm Springs’ cultural appeal and attract tourists, but the ban prevents them.

Industry Challenges: High taxes (10% local retail tax plus state taxes) and competition from the illegal market, which accounts for an estimated 75% of cannabis sales statewide, already threaten legal dispensaries. Allowing events would help businesses differentiate themselves and compete.

What We’re Asking For

We urge the Palm Springs City Council to amend local ordinances (e.g., Chapters 5.45 and 5.55 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code) to permit cannabis-related events in licensed lounge spaces, in line with AB 1775. These events would include:

Educational Seminars: To promote responsible cannabis use and inform the public.

Artistic Events: Like puff-and-paint sessions to foster creativity and community.

Live Entertainment: Such as musicians or DJs to enhance the lounge experience.

Community Initiatives: Including volunteer events to give back to Palm Springs.

Industry Discussions: Like podcasts to elevate Palm Springs’ role in the cannabis sector.

These events would comply with strict regulations, including ventilation systems to control odor, existing separation requirements (e.g., 500 feet between dispensaries in the Palm Canyon Drive corridor), and event permits to address noise or other concerns.

Benefits of Signing the Petition

By supporting this petition, you’re helping to:

Reallocate Tax Dollars: Free up funds from unnecessary enforcement to support critical services like infrastructure and public safety.
Boost the Local Economy: Increase foot traffic to dispensaries, potentially offsetting the $1.2 million decline in cannabis tax revenue and preserving jobs.

Support Small Businesses: Help dispensaries compete with neighboring cities and the illegal market, preventing further closures.

Enhance Community Vibrancy: Enable events that promote education, creativity, and civic engagement, making Palm Springs a top destination for cannabis tourism.

Ensure Public Safety: Events will occur in regulated venues with strict compliance measures, addressing concerns like odor or noise.

Addressing Community Concerns

We understand some residents may worry about odor, noise, or public safety. Our proposal ensures:

Odor Control: Events will take place in licensed lounges with advanced ventilation systems, as required by city regulations.

Noise Management: Event permits can include guidelines to minimize noise, ensuring minimal disruption to neighborhoods.

Public Safety: Regulated venues will maintain strict oversight, including security, age verification, and compliance with all local and state laws.

Community Input: We welcome dialogue with residents, including those in neighborhoods like Escena, to address concerns and ensure events benefit all of Palm Springs.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We aim to collect at least 1,000 signatures to show the City Council the strong community support for modernizing Palm Springs’ cannabis regulations. By signing this petition, you’re advocating for a thriving local economy, smarter use of tax dollars, and a vibrant cannabis culture that strengthens Palm Springs’ reputation as a cultural and tourism hub. Together, we can ensure our city remains a leader in California’s cannabis industry while fostering creativity, education, and community engagement.

Sign the petition today to bring cannabis events to Palm Springs lounge spaces! Visit or contact Hightend Dispensary and Lounge in Palm Springs, CA. to learn more and join the movement. Let’s make Palm Springs a destination where cannabis culture thrives responsibly and inclusively.

Contact us at 760.585.1250 - 3395 N Indian Canyon Drive