Having lived in New York City over the past 13 years, I have been able to witness its evolution up close. Some components of the five boroughs are evolving much faster than others. The cannabis industry is one of these rapidly evolving landscapes.
However, unless the shop is not licensed to sell cannabis in any form whatsoever, the city will continue to support it. It is evident that the city has a lot of social justice and restorative justice activists, which makes it a warmly welcomed place. However, a large portion of support is provided by those who are able to see the potential revenue from legalization. Only a small portion of the potential benefits that cannabis has for cities and states can be found in sales. There are many places and events to visit in the underground, which is why tourism has already taken off. Not only are there pop-up legal experiences, but also in more permanent and ongoing forms.
Three-story, immersive cannabis experience The House of Cannabis ( THC NYC) aims to become the next tourist attraction in New York City. THC NYC spans over 30,000 feet in a historical building overlooking SoHo. It is co-created by Robert Frey and Marcelle Frey.
Before the launch of The House of Cannabis on April 7, I was invited by my host to visit it. I have lived in New York for many years and was curious to see if The House of Cannabis could be a tourist attraction or the next city landmark.
Is it possible for tourists to see cannabis as an important stop on their trip? This would appeal to the marijuana community, but even more important. We are only halfway to finding out.
What can you expect at The House of Cannabis
The House of Cannabis’ signature, which was prominently displayed on its first floor was the first thing that I saw about it. This was yet another sign that New York is stepping out from the cannabis closet. The only problem I found was THC NYC wasn’t located on the first floor. It required me to walk up five floors in order to begin the journey. Although there may have been an elevator available, I was instructed to go up by myself.
Attention pot lovers, marijuana is not sold in THC NYC and is strictly prohibited for consumption. Before you enter, make sure that you smoke.
Kough is a veteran of Disney for seven years and a long-time entertainment professional. He was responsible for the design. He and his creative team had to create an immersive experience for operating in historic buildings. The team constructed THC NYC’s walls within the historical frame, without touching any of the existing walls.
Kough said, “That was when we decided that the building would be built within the building.” Kough explained that this solution created an impact on guests.
The crew worked for months to create visuals that guests could enjoy. The crew also made a prominent reminder to people who pass by the building at night. They are illuminated with matching lamps each night and painted the outer corridor walls in lime green. This creates a glowing green appearance through the windows.
It’s a Journey Begins
The tour takes place on three floors. The first stop of The Tour is The Disorientation room. Here, media screens play out from a huge projector that shows the history and impact of culture on the plant. My persistent thought starts to form: Before I came here, I would have done psychedelics.
In the next room, guests felt more insatiable for psychedelics. The Euphorium is a large rotating record that has LED lights over it. This makes guests feel like they are in a silent disco. The silent disco encourages guests to lie down or sit on the rotating records while they listen to it. I was worried about the future in this room. It could have been a great experience, but I was uncomfortable looking at the ceiling and spinning slowly. Maybe that is just me. That was my only negative experience.
Later rooms in the floor discuss the criminal and social justice impacts that the plant has made over the past years. With the help of the Drug Policy Alliance the Forum uses cutting-edge audio techniques to show the five individuals the effects that the drug wars have had. Standing under the sound cones allows you to hear the individual’s account firsthand. Their stories are woven together to show the collective effects of the drug war on society when you step out from beneath the cones.
Kough stated that “they’re real people sharing real stories about how cannabis laws have affected them.”
The Joint was the final space on the floor, and it covered sneakers. They brought works from The Art of Sneakers from Culver, California. The exhibit featured a variety of artists who put sneakers to work in unique ways. The House of Cannabis features Christophe Roberts , Freehand Profit and other artists.
Kough stated that they plan to display art in the space for six months, before adding a new one.
The Tree – A 6000 Year Journey
The third floor is where you will find a close-up grow experience. The space will be open to all public once it is officially opened. It will include a 3-room urban garden to allow visitors to get a close-up look at the art of pot cultivation. During the tour, no mature plants were seen or seedlings.
The Microverse continues the education about plants. Chris Romaine, Kandid Kush‘s photographer, dives into each plant and takes stunning photographs. The Olfactory teaches us about terpenes. Six of the most commonly experienced sensations in cannabis are displayed here: laughter, creativity, calm, sleep, energy and calm. You can also push the button and take in the terpene aroma. Although it wasn’t installed that day, a drop-down curtains is being planned to allow for additional immersion in terpenes’ fragrances. The room also featured additional art such as a nug hanging from the center of the room that is several feet tall.
Curren$y, a hip-hop artist collaborated on the last floor. An LED screen displays a custom poem by the artist. Guests can then step on the screen to see it wrapped around their bodies.
Kough stated that it was crucial to celebrate the “poetics of cannabis” in one’s life, while also allowing the guests to feel as if they are part of the author’s thoughts.
The Journey Crescendos
The House of Cannabis’ final floor has only two stops, but it is sure to please the crowds. These are two areas I would love to visit when the shrooms start.
The Spot, a large green tree with roots that run across the floor and serves as seating or tables, is an installation.
Kough stated that “the great thing about cannabis was the sense of community it naturally creates.”
The Spot brought me back to kindergarten, where we would all play tag under the tree during recess. The tree was then invaded by a lot of moths. The House of Cannabis was able to keep the moths away.
The Hypnodrome is the final stop of this tour. The Hypnodrome was created by Benjamin Gordon , visual artist, programmer, and composer. Guests can relax on comfortable lounge chairs while a psychedelic video showing Gordon’s brainwaves plays on the ceiling. This room was the most psychedelic and where I would most like to go during a psychedelic session.
Will the House of Cannabis in New York last?
THC NYC was an educational and fun experience. You will not need to learn anything new if you are already well-versed in marijuana. This is where educated marijuana fans will be able to take their friends out for an unforgettable day. You might even get to learn about the culture and effects of marijuana on your friends.
Kough described the event as “a celebration of cannabis culture and inviting others in.” Kough stated that THC NYC is not a target for ardent marijuana supporters but aims to normalize cannabis.
He said, “They can enter and see that it’s not frightening.”
You can have fun even if your knowledge of pot is limited. The team and Kough provide high-quality immersion and ample art to allow guests to absorb more plant information than they would in a museum.
Kough stated that his years of entertainment have compelled him to make works that weren’t educational.
He said that cannabis is a complex topic that can be so fascinating and magical that it’s impossible to do without putting a bit of sauce on it. His goal was to get people interested in the plant’s wonders.
Do you think The House of Cannabis can last as long as it is planned for? This is possible. Kough stated that the goal is to change, mutate, and grow the cannabis market as it evolves. If they are able to keep up with the mainstream American pot interest, then they will be able to attract at most tourists and casual fans.
It is unclear how many of The House of Cannabis’ underground or highly educated customers it attracts in its current state. Although it has names and associations to give credibility, legal space is still very young so all bets are off about what will stay. THC NYC may be up there with the Museum of Sex’s nearly ten-year-old boobbout house. It could even fall apart. It will only be time. It’s possible to check it yourself.
High Times first published the post Will New York’s House of Cannabis Be New York’s Next Must See Attraction?.
