2024-04-18-Las-Vegas-Weekly

TRUE LUXURY IS SUSTAINABLE

It’s surprising that a resort of this scale can have a soft ecological impact. Because, from our groundbreaking, we’ve incorporated innovative sustainability initiatives. Energy and water management. Clean indoor air. Eco-responsible management practices. And social impact that soothes our community’s soul. In the sweep of it all, we’ve created a place to be proud of. Renowned. World-class. Luxurious. And LEED Gold Certified.

LEED GOLD CERTIFIED

Roots Harvest (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

Packages starting from $68

The west rim is heart-pounding, soul-searching, bucket-listchecking adrenaline rushes you’ve never felt or seen before, including one of the largest glass cantilever bridges in the world that will have you stepping 4,000 feet out over the Grand Canyon floor. Skywalk is just one of the ways you can jolt your senses and ignite your spirit at Grand Canyon West. Plan your adventure today. SCAN

Celebrating 50 years of fun and flavor!

SUPERGUIDE

THURSDAY APR 18

SCORPIONS

8 p.m., & 4/20, 4/24, Bakkt Theater, ticket master.com

EGGY

11:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster. com

DOPAPOD & CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN

10:30 p.m., the Portal & the Wall at Area15, area15.com

JULIA JACKLIN

7 p.m., Beverly Theater, thebeverly theater.com

NOOGY

With Desert Island Boys, Style Cramps, Haushanka, 8 p.m., the Gri n, ticketbud.com

KELLY CLINTON

7 p.m., Composers Room, the composersroom.com

LAS VEGAS

AVIATORS VS. TACOMA RAINIERS

Thru 4/20, 7 p.m. (& 4/21, noon), Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com

RIDE THE CYCLONE: THE MUSICAL

Thru 4/20, 7 p.m. (& 4/21, 5 p.m.), Majestic Repertory Theatre, majesticrepertory. com

THE UNDERGROUND

6TH ANNIVERSARY

7 p.m., the Underground at the Mob Museum, themob museum.org

VIVA LAS VEGAS

ROCKABILLY WEEKEND

Thru 4/21, times & events vary, the Orleans, vivalasvegas.net

MUERTE

10 p.m., Discopussy, seetickets.us

GARTH BROOKS

8 p.m., & 4/20, 4/21, the Colosseum, ticketmaster.com.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com

FRONTLINER

10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets. us

DJ PAULY D

10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, taogroup.com

PHISH

Phish would have sold out four nights in Vegas even if the revered jam band hadn’t booked itself into what’s currently the most talked-about venue in the world. The question isn’t “will Phish work in the Sphere,” but “what are they going to do in there?” The band’s improvisational nature doesn’t lend itself to the kind of hit-your-marks production that U2 staged in the high-tech arena. Also, Phish is generally leery of using video elements in their shows, which is kinda the Sphere’s whole thing. But this is the same band that covered a spooky sound e ects LP at a MGM Grand Garden Arena Halloween show, and transformed Madison Square Garden into an undersea world complete with swimming whales and dolphins and ceiling-to-floor ribbons of kelp. They wouldn’t have agreed to play Sphere if they, and their lighting director Chris Kuroda, couldn’t somehow reinvent the globe. Hope you get to find out how—the shows are sold out and tickets can only be found on secondary market platforms. Thru 4/21, 7:30 p.m., Sphere, ticketmaster.com. –Geo Carter

PLAN YOUR WEEK AHEAD

FRIDAY APR 19

CHICANO BATMAN With Lido Pimienta, 6 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster. com

TAMIA & JOE

8 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.

THE SUGARHILL GANG & TAG TEAM

9 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience. com

THE GHOST INSIDE

6 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.live nation.com

MARIAH CAREY

8 p.m., & 4/20, 4/24, Dolby Live, ticket master.com

THE B-52S

8:30 p.m., & 4/20, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com

CHRISTINA AGUILERA

9:45 p.m., & 4/20, Voltaire, ticket master.com.

HUMAN NATURE Thru 4/21, 7:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster. com

SKA FOR PLANET EARTH With Major League Skankers, Anesthesia, Los Ataskados, La Capuza, more, 6 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com

LOS PISTONES DE URIEL VALDEZ

With Nuevos Originales, 10 p.m., Discopussy, ticketon.com.

N#MBER SIGNS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH READING

6:30 p.m., Writer’s Block, thewriters block.org

POWWOW FOR THE PLANET

4 p.m. (& 4/20, 11 a.m., UNLV Chem Lawn, unlv.edu

HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS

7 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com

THE NTH UNIVERSAL WHISKY CONNOISSEUR MAIN TASTING EVENT

6:30 p.m., Wynn, universalwhisky experience.com

TAYLOR TOMLINSON 7:30 p.m., & 4/20, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com

TIP “TI” HARRIS 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., & 4/20, Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com

GANJA WHITE NIGHT

With Ravenscoon, Eazybaked, Levity, Ahee, 7 p.m. (& 4/20), the A-Lot & the Portal at Area15, area15.com.

LP GIOBBI PRESENTS DEAD HOUSE Thru 4/21, 11 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com

STEVE AOKI 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup. com

SWAE LEE 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnight club.com

JEEZY 10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup. com

DILLON FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com

LUIS MIGUEL 9 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

SUPERGUIDE

SATURDAY APR 20

WHITE RABBIT MUSIC FESTIVAL

If you missed the fun at last year’s SunCan music fest, Black Sheep Booking’s teaming up with the Pigeon Hat Collective to introduce the next edition with White Rabbit festival. This time, the showcase will boast an impressive bill of both local and international acts, including indie mainstays like Same Sex Mary, Viaje Nahual, underground rapper Kurian, rising jangle-pop band The Patterns and Tokyo’s avant-punk blues outfit Loolwningen. Black Sheep promoter Shana Salazar also has reserved a few stage slots for up-and-coming local acts Sunday Mourning (alt-rock) and King Fun (post-punk). A lineup this stacked will undoubtedly rope in the community, and concert-goers can bring canned food donations with them for $5 o the entry fee at the door. 6:30 p.m., $20, Fergusons Downtown, blacksheepbooking.ticketbud.com. –Amber Sampson

LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC: THE FIREBIRD

7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com

LAS VEGAS LIGHTS VS. RHODE ISLAND

FC

5 p.m., Cashman Field, lasvegaslights fc.com

VEGAS THRILL VS. GRAND RAPIDS RISE

7 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com

LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS VS. BUFFALO BANDITS

7 p.m., Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com

420 STATE FAIR Noon, Nuwu Cannabis, nuwu.vegas

HENDERSON READS BOOK FESTIVAL

10 a.m., Water Street Plaza, cityofhender son.com

REGGAE IN THE DESERT With Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Fortunate Youth, Arise Roots, more, 11 a.m., Clark County Amphitheater, seetickets.us

TAYLOR DAYNE & TIFFANY

8 p.m., M Pavilion, ticketmaster.com

MARGARITAWORLD

5 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, universe.com

VEGAS 4/20

COMEDY SLAM

8 p.m., Sahara Theatre, ticketmaster. com

ANDREW SANTINO & BOBBY LEE

8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com

DAVID GUETTA Noon, Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial. com

ZEDD

11 a.m., Wet Republic, taogroup.com

TIËSTO

11:30 a.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com

T-PAIN

10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com

50 CENT

10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, drais group.com

PEGGY GOU

10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.

PLAN YOUR WEEK AHEAD

SUNDAY APR 21

MONDAY APR 22

CHALK IT DOWN FESTIVAL

8 a.m., Arts District, 18barts.org

BEYOND THE NEON POETRY FESTIVAL 4 p.m., UnCommons, uncommons.com

THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS 2 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter.com

BOSS BEPOP JAZZ SEPTET

1 p.m., Bootlegger, lvjs.org

THE LIL SMOKIES

1 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com

SHORDIE SHORDIE Noon, Daylight Beach Club, tixr.com MUSTARD

11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, taogroup. com

MADCAP With Maddy O’Neal, Adam Deitch, DJ AF, 11:30 p.m., Discopussy, tixr.com

(Courtesy)

TODD REXX With Jake Baker, thru 4/28, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy. com

LARRY REEB With James P. Connolly, Traci Skene, thru 4/24, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand.mgm resorts.com

COMEDY REVIEWERS VEGAS APPRECIATION SHOW

7 p.m., Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguyscomedy.com

MURDA BEATZ

10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com

SWAYZE CRAZY & FRIENDS

10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv.com

ARI DAYE

9 p.m., Easy’s Lounge, easysvegas.com

DO IT ALL

SUPERGUIDE

KHRUANGBIN

The most beautiful song of 2024 is Khruangbin’s new single “May 9.” Calling it now. A gauzy, dreamlike, soft-shu ing ode to “a memory held too long,” “May 9” drifts over you like spring clouds shedding drops at random. It’s a wonder, though not exactly a surprise because Khruangbin— Mark Speer on guitar and vocals, Laura Lee Ochoa on bass and vocals, and DJ Johnson on drums, keyboards and vocals—has been tuned into this ethereal vibe right from the beginning, and the band has put it in service of everything from classic psychedelia to spacy disco-rock jams. The Houston-based Khruangbin—whose name is the Thai word for “airplane,” by the by—comes to Vegas in support of its just-released fourth album A La Sala (Spanish for “to the living room”), which is a quieter e ort compared to 2020’s funky Mordechai, but don’t be fooled: It still has lots of unexpected, scenic twists and turns, which should spill out beautifully on stage at Brooklyn Bowl. With Hermanos Gutiérrez, 7 p.m., & 4/24, $60-$125, Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com. –Geo Carter

SET IT OFF

5:30 p.m., House of Blues, concerts.live nation.com

ANNIE BOSKO

7 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com

KEITH THOMPSON’S PIANO PARTY

6 p.m., Composers Room, the composersroom.com

GARY PUCKETT AND THE UNION GAP

Thru 4/25, 6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster. com

ERIC BELLINGER

10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com

DO IT ALL (Courtesy/David Black)

SMOKEY ROBINSON

8:30 p.m., & 4/26, 4/27, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com

UNLV COMMUNITY

CONCERT & NEW HORIZONS BANDS

7:30 p.m., Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv.edu

USA OPEN

WRESTLING

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Thru 4/28, times vary, South Point Arena, usawrestlingevents.com

THERAPY GECKO

7:30 p.m., Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguys comedy.com

BRANDI CYRUS With Vavo, 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com

JAWNS With Zack the Ripper, MGMA, 9 p.m., We All Scream, tixr.com

State Senator Dallas Harris uplifts the community through leadership

BY SHANNON MILLER

Dallas Harris injects authenticity into leadership. The senator of Nevada District 11 says she leans on lived experience when creating laws that a ect Nevadans’ everyday lives.

“I think that’s what we want all of our leaders to do, right?” she says. “Here in Nevada, we’ve got that citizen legislature. And the whole point is that you are a person who also goes to the grocery store and knows how much a gallon of milk costs, or bread, or whatever the standard food item that you want to use to measure in ation these days. You know what it’s like to be an average Nevadan.”

When Harris passed the “cannabis Christmas tree” bill in the 2023 legislative session, she had customers’ experience in mind. The bill increased the daily maximum amount of marijuana a person can purchase from one to 2.5 ounces. For people who want to take advantage of a sale or stock up, it certainly was a present.

“Just like if you want to have a Super Bowl party, and you went out and bought a keg, there’s nothing nefarious about that. We allow people to do that. And I think we should allow it here,” she says.

Harris’ pragmatic, constituent-centered approach translated to bills geared toward protecting Nevada’s LGBTQ communities and their rights. The proudly lesbian lawmaker chaired the rst ever LGBTQ caucus in the state legislature in 2023, which managed to pass several bills strengthening protections for LGBTQ people.

For example, Harris sponsored a bill to modernize HIV treatment in the state and require prison operators to ensure access to treatment for inmates with HIV. The bill also mandates that medical insurance cover testing, treatment and preventive measures against STIs, and requires insurers to cover lab and diagnosis procedures and drugs aimed to prevent HIV.

“If you take a look at some of the LGBTQ legislation that was passed during the last legislative session, I think we can call that a success,” she says.

Harris took time out to talk to the Weekly about social equity in the cannabis industry and her No. 1 goal as a legislator.

You introduced the bill that increased the daily maximum amount of marijuana a person can purchase, removed restrictions barring people with past felony convictions from employment in the industry, and lowered licensing fees.

[That was] in order to make it a bit more customer friendly. Some people live very far from their nearest dispensary. Whatever the reason may be, it’s actually none of the government’s business. People should be free to be able to do that.

If they want to have a party at home, as long as everybody’s of age … there’s nothing wrong with that.

Nevada has a program in the books that attempts to address social equity in the cannabis industry, but that program hasn’t really borne that out in consumption lounges. Although social equity licensees got their provisional licenses at the same time as retail licensees, many are having a hard time securing the capital needed to open an establishment that meets regulations. How do we begin to address this?

There are models across the country that I think Nevada could look at, in order to make our program better. I think there’s lots of things we could do to start to address this issue, but the very rst thing we need to do is start paying attention to it and actually deciding we’re gonna put some e ort, and frankly, some dollars behind it.

You chaired the Nevada Legislature’s first-ever LGBTQ caucus in 2023.

What was that like?

The climate is calming down a little bit, I think because the abortion rights issue is hot and heavy at the moment. But if you remember, during the legislative session and leading up to it, there was a rash of anti LGBTQ bills across the country—a lot targeting drag shows and bathroom bills. And so it was really important that we got together and said, Hey, not here in Nevada. Nevada has done a great job with LGBTQ rights. We are one of the friendliest states. And it was really, really important to all of us that we came together and ensured that Nevada remains one of those friendliest states, and that we weren’t going to allow a backslide.

What do you hope to accomplish as a legislator?

What’s your No. 1 goal?

I think the most impactful thing that I’ll do is actually just being here. I’m hoping that the real impact that I have is on one or two or three young Black children somewhere in Las Vegas who never thought they could maybe be in the state senate, or whatever else it may be that they want to pursue; and for them to now understand that they can because they’ve seen someone like me do it. That would be my biggest hope and dream.

I’ll end with a very serious question: What’s your favorite place to eat in your part of town?

The one I go to the most is a co ee shop. It’s called Rosallie Le French Cafe. The croissants are lovely. And obviously coffee. Co ee is always good.

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Las Vegas Weekly is proud to once again advocate for one of Southern Nevada’s most dynamic and exciting industries with the Cannabis Awards. The business and culture of cannabis is growing and diversifying quickly, and our expert panel of judges is keeping the community on top of the latest trends and developments while acknowledging local excellence. With thanks to their e orts and our gracious sponsor Deep Roots Harvest, Las Vegas Weekly happily presents the 2024 Cannabis Awards.

JUDGE CANNABIS AWARDS

A LETTER FROM OUR SPONSOR

On behalf of everyone across Deep Roots Harvest’s cultivation, manufacturing and retail and support operations, I want to congratulate all the honorees recognized in this year’s Las Vegas Weekly Cannabis Awards—as well as express our sincere gratitude for being recognized in the Best Dispensary and Best Topicals categories. Nevada’s cannabis industry is an exciting, creative and always-evolving community, and Deep Roots Harvest is thrilled to be named among the other incredible honorees recognized this year. Congratulations to all!

At Deep Roots Harvest, we are committed to Las Vegas, as well as the additional areas in which we operate across the state of Nevada. We are always searching for ways to connect with customers, partner with other businesses and better help our neighbors and communities. As the industry grows, we will continue to seek out opportunities where the cannabis industry can contribute to the state’s residents, whether that’s by innovating exciting new products, helping ful ll an urgent community need, or by providing stable, reliable employment for residents of the cities and towns we serve. As one of the state’s leading cannabis companies since 2016, we truly do have deep roots in Nevada.

KAILA FEHRINGER

Retail Buyer

DEEP ROOTS HARVEST

We celebrate all the businesses, products and individuals being recognized for their contributions. Here’s to many more years working together toward the continued success of the cannabis industry in the Silver State!

in the Silver State!

Jon Marshall

Chief Operating O cer Deep Roots Harvest

Born-and-raised Las Vegas native Kaila Fehringer knew she wanted to seek out a career in the industry as soon as Nevada voters elected to legalize recreational consumption in 2016. When she’s not enjoying music at an R&B or rap concert or an EDM festival, she’s studying up on the fast-moving trends in cannabis. “I love the culture behind the cannabis industry and being able to share my passion with like-minded individuals, along with familiarizing myself with all the brands and products in the Nevada market and how they di er from those in other states.” That e ort is demonstrated in her work at Deep Roots Harvest, but she’s just getting started. “Later down the road, I hope to make a change in sustainability within the cannabis community by eventually implementing a legal way to recycle all jars and mylars used by our industry, starting in Nevada.”

PROFILES AWARDS 2024

CHRISTIAN PARKES

General Manager - Blue Diamond DEEP ROOTS HARVEST

Avid outdoorsman, mountain biker and hiker Christian Parkes was working in residential treatment in the medical eld when he took notice of so many prescription pills being pushed on patients when cannabis or alternative medicines could have presented a meaningful and e ective alternative. “I have a strong belief in cannabis and its medical properties and loved combining my passion for helping people and cannabis.” He started in the new industry as a budtender and worked his way up to management thanks to an organized mindset and a dedication to customer service, and believes the sky is truly the limit for this industry in Las Vegas and across the country. “It’s been amazing seeing the growth and general comfort level around cannabis change throughout the Vegas Valley,” he says. “I cannot wait to see what happens in the future with cannabis and I love being a part of an ever-changing and growing industry.”

MORGAN MARTIN

General Manager SHOWGROW

TINA ULMAN

Morgan Martin had just moved back to her hometown Las Vegas from Reno when a friend referred a budtender gig as a “second job.” That quickly turned into a career as inventory manager and then general manager at ShowGrow, the closest dispensary to Summerlin. “It’s exhilarating to be on the ground oor of something and inventing and guring out what the best processes and practices are,” she says. “Whether its regulation changes, a global pandemic or license politics, having to stay innovative and creative is what keeps me interested in the day-to-day.” When not innovating, she can be found entertaining fur babies Lacey and Leo, being the cool aunt to four little humans, or covered in paint and sawdust while working on another woodworking or DIY design project.

Co-CEO THE GROW UP CO-OP

Co-Founder and President THE CHAMBER OF CANNABIS

Detroit-born UNLV graduate Tina Ulman knew she wanted to change the broken system of drug enforcement since she was 10 years old. “I spent 20 years visiting my family members in prison for a non-violent drug o ense,” she says. “Everything I learned prior to entering cannabis prepared me for what I am doing today.” Continuing to learn people’s stories about how this plant improved people’s lives is her favorite part of working in the industry, along with a natural spirit of collaboration. And with signi cant dual roles in the local community, she’s maximizing her ability to a ect change. “From commerce, to justice, to professional growth, I am at my best when I know my actions are making a positive impact for humanity. I am still striving to make my parents and 10-year-old self proud. If I know I am doing that, everything else will fall in line as it should.”

DANI BARANOWSKI

Co-CEO & Co-Founder

THE GROW UP CO-OP

No surprises here: Dani Baranowski’s rst professional experiences were in tourism and hospitality, and somehow, she ended up in Las Vegas. “I was slinging drinks and teaching scuba diving all over the world and saw the cannabis industry exploding—without me,” she says. “I was drawn to the opportunity to build an industry from scratch.” She joined an advocacy group in search of friends in a new city and found a group of talented, ambitious people just like her, and those relationships evolved into the founding of the Chamber of Cannabis, Nevada’s largest cannabis business trade organization, and last year’s creation of The Grow Up Co-Op, a sales and marketing collective. “We have all kept up that momentum and worked hard on the advocacy and business side of things to create the best cannabis market in the country, right here,” she says. Somewhere, Baranowski nds the time and energy to be a competitive cyclist.

BEST DISPENSARY (STATE CHOICE) DEEP ROOTS HARVEST

Three locations in the Valley, deeprootsharvest.com

Since launching out of Mesquite in 2015, Deep Roots Harvest has expanded with dispensaries throughout the state and more recently, storefronts in the Las Vegas area, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the local cannabis industry. Its motto is “every harvest tells a story,” and the entire sta is dedicated to sharing that story and the vast capabilities of cannabis with the world. Its Nevada-grown cannabis has long been touted as a unique experience for patients and recreational users, and the community appreciates how Deep Roots distinguishes itself with active outreach and o ering specialized topical products designed for e ective pain management. Whether customers are interested in the latest cutting-edge products, how to utilize cannabis for sleep, or the science behind cultivation and consumption, Deep Roots is ready to share. And it has truly deepened local roots by partnering with smaller organizations often overlooked by bigger charity e orts, and by donating to schools, children’s programs, food drives and more.

(Photograph by Steve Marcus/Sta

2024 CANNABIS AWARDS

The Cannabis Awards judging panel recognizes ShowGrow for having an elite, friendly and knowledgeable sta ; an amazing rewards program; a consistent inventory and selection; and absolute ease and convenience whether you’re ordering online and picking up at the 24-hour store near the 215 and Tropicana, or having your cannabis delivered to your home between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The team at ShowGrow understands that local consumers have varying interests, habits and lifestyles, and that’s why they bend over backwards to share information about new and diverse products and innovations to always enhance the experience. And the menu is constantly re ned, based on direct customer feedback, much of which comes from regulars taking advantage of a peerless rewards program with special perks.

(Photograph by Brian Ramos/Sta

2024 CANNABIS AWARDS

BEST DISPENSARY (PHILANTHROPIC CHOICE)

TREE OF LIFE

1437 N. Jones Blvd., 150 E. Centennial Parkway #114, treeo ifenv.com

Call it compassionate cannabis: Tree of Life donates 70% of all pro ts to charitable causes. Those can include Volunteers In Medicine of Southern Nevada, The Ability Center, The LGBTQIA+ Community Center of Southern Nevada and several others, and the company’s Round Up For Change program inspires customers to donate a little bit more with each purchase to go a longer way in the community. Making it even easier to give back is Tree of Life’s friendly, knowledgeable and helpful sta , great deals and steady low prices, comprehensive menu and simple and fun reward program. When you visit, remember: cash only.

(Photograph by Brian Ramos/Sta

INDUSTRY INNOVATOR CHAMBER OF CANNABIS

cofclv.org

Founded during the COVID pandemic by a group of women leaders, the nonprofit Chamber of Cannabis is focused on strengthening commerce, building relationships with political and regulatory officials and positively impacting the community. In its first year, the chamber passed consumption lounge and DUI reform by collaborating with industry stakeholders, and in 2023 helped usher the passing of Senate Bill 277 that more than doubled purchase limits for cannabis flower and concentrate, also allowing operators to have dual medical and recreational licenses and creating more options for patients. The chamber’s innovative and inclusive approach marks a significant departure from conventional business practices in cannabis and fosters a more equitable and diverse industry landscape. This young organization has pushed boundaries and championed forward-thinking legislation that positions Nevada as a rightful trailblazer.

(Photograph by Wade Vandervort/Staff)

BEST BRAND GREEN LIFE PRODUCTIONS

greenlifeproductionsnv.com

True innovators, Pahrump-based Green Life Productions is the longest running and oldest indoor commercial no-till living soil facility on the planet. From the company’s inception, the goal has always been to serve Nevadans with organic cannabis cultivated in dynamic living systems, with a commitment to making indoor agriculture as sustainable as possible. Our judges have tried all GLP products and note they are fantastic in freshness, taste, quality, terpene pro le and consistency; it’s the cleanest weed grown in Nevada. And master grower Steve Cantwell shares his knowledge and expertise with anyone who wants to learn, demonstrating that commitment to advancing quality industrywide.

(Photograph by Christopher DeVargas/Sta )

BEST HYBRID POLARIS HEAD CHEESE

This one does it all—relieves migraines, helps with pain, nausea and anxiety. Sativa-dominant with pine and lemon notes and a near-instant cerebral buzz, Head Cheese—a mix of Headband and Cheese strains—has reported THC levels ranging from 19% to 26% and made High Times’ list of Strongest Strains on Earth.

BEST INDICA LIMONCELLO

This recognizable strain comes with steady, dependable highs that last, also o ering a calming focus that makes for a relaxing sleep. The pine-ish terpene pro le is unlike anything else, and the citrus and cherry avors and lemon, herb and owery aromatics combine for an unforgettable experience.

BEST SATIVA NATURE’S CHEMISTRY GHOST TRAIN HAZE DIAMOND EXCLUSIVE

The terpinolene is o the chart, the smell is intoxicating, and the buds break up easily in your ngers—no grinder required. This unusually potent sativa is known for its tropical fruit avors and for putting you in a happy, focused mood, “great for the creative and exploratory mind.”

tiple U.S.

The Ghost Train Haze is the winner of mulHigh Times Cannabis Cups and our judges believe it is truly the best sativa ower on the market— and readily available at many Las Vegas dispensaries.

(Courtesy)

BEST EDIBLE SIP ELIXIRS

Each bottle of Sip’s liquid cannabis beverages is infused with a pure THC distillate and naturally-derived terpenes, both designed to complement the avor and the e ect. Thus far, cannabis drinks are not known for providing the desired e ects with great taste, but Sip Elixirs are changing that—seven avors, four e ects, dose them on their own or mix them up to make tasty cannabis cocktails. And a new lineup of avors is coming soon, so get ready for an expanded experience.

(Christopher DeVargas/Sta

BEST CONCENTRATE MATRIX LIVE RESIN RIPPER

Live resin retains a higher concentration of terpenes, resulting in a robust and avorful experience and a more potent and well-rounded high. Matrix was one of the rst companies to bring this product to Nevada, and this disposable consistently brings avor and e ects that exceed expectations. Nice pricing makes this even more of a heavy hitter.

(Christopher DeVargas/Sta )

BEST BUDTENDER JOSH CLINE AT PLANET 13

Josh Cline moved to Las Vegas from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is dedicated to informing Planet 13’s visitors about all cannabis can do to improve their lives and alleviate stress. He’s ready to answer all questions and inspire some new inquiries. Cline is always up on the latest trends and products, a team player who knows what’s happening in the local industry all around him, and is always armed with a smile.

BEST TOPICAL ESCAPE ARTISTS

Brand-new to the local market, Escape Artists’ THC relief creams are medical-grade products that offer a unique water-soluble formula that penetrates the skin more efficiently than oil-based topicals, and they bring fast relief whether you’re recovering from exercise or just managing aches and pains. You won’t get an intoxicating effect from cannabis topicals, but you will feel your tension drift away while enjoying the aromatherapy.

(Photograph by Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

Cannabis’ annual holiday is around the corner, and as Las Vegas looks back on seven years of legal recreational use, there’s a lot to celebrate. Whether you’re commemorating 420 loudly or leaning into a day of rest, ensure that lucky seven doesn’t pass without a memorable lineup of 420 favorites, including edibles, topicals ower and more.

BOOMTOWN LIVE RESIN CARTRIDGE

If potency is your goal, BoomTown’s live resin cartridges should be at the top of your list. BoomTown harnesses a solvent-based extraction process to pull from frozen cannabis plants, preserving more natural compounds for an e ective and flavorful experience. Stock up for 420 celebrations with your favorite strains in a compact cartridge.

BLUEBIRDS FLOWER 3.5 g

Purists rejoice! Bluebirds’ flower is grown in state-of-the art facilities in Mesquite by cultivators dedicated to preserving the integrity of cannabis strains. The optimal atmosphere produces flower that boasts high-quality remedial e ects and outstanding flavor. Popular strains from the Bluebird brand include: Old School Lemons, Gush Mints and Black Velvet.

CHEEBA CHEWS TAFFY

For those who like their 420 cannabis in a curated, chewy bite, look no further than Cheeba Chews. Each of the eight o erings has varying strain and cannabinoid profiles, enabling consumers to select the edible that matches their daily goals. Gear up for activities with a caramel-flavored balance of THC/CBD/CBG, or wind down for the night with chocolate flavors and a CBN/THC ratio. Strawberry, apple and lemon complete the lineup. At three calories per chew and made with high-quality cannabis oil, Cheeba Chews are a tasty and fun 420 option.

ADVERTORIAL PRESENTED BY DEEP ROOTS HARVEST

CHILLERS LIVE RESIN GUMMIES CAN’T DECIDE?

For the health conscious who also have a bit of a sweet tooth, Chillers Live Resin Gummies are glutenfree, vegan-friendly, and contain zero additives. Dietary restrictions won’t hamper your 420 spirit with these tasty morsels. Unlike distillate-based edibles, Chillers are made using live resin extracted from flash-frozen cannabis plants, preserving the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes. Available in 5 mg chewy nuggets (100 mg per package), pick from your favorite cocktail-inspired fruit flavors—apple sangria, cherry amaretto, tropical paradise, strawberry mimosa and raspberry tamarind.

ESCAPE ARTISTS TOPICALS

Ease muscle tension at a cellular level with Escape Artists topicals. These pharma-grade creams are meant to be rubbed into your skin and can be used daily without intoxicating e ects. Packed with premium ingredients from reputable sources, no parabens or phthalates, and o ered in a range of potencies, there’s a product for every need. There are also a variety of scents to choose from: lavender, menthol, rose and bergamot, and unscented. Give your muscles a little love and relaxation this 420.

Visit a Deep Roots Harvest location to speak with a budtender about curated o erings tailored to your specific needs. The favorites listed here are just a few of the many cannabis products available.

FIREBIRD INFUSED PRE-ROLLS

Flower with a dash of flair reigns supreme this April with prerolls that are filled with high-quality Bluebird flower and an infused concentrate blend. The addition of concentrates enhances flavor and potency over a standard preroll, creating the perfect pairing for people with evolving tastes. Expect excitement with a relaxed finish.

Henderson educator recognized with national honor

A Clark County School District special education teacher was presented with an “Oscar of teaching” for outstanding innovation and excellence in education.

At an assembly at Foothill High School on April 12, Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley to present Joseph Kielminski with the Milken Educator Award, which includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.

“I am pleased to recognize Joseph Kielminski, an outstanding educator who exemplifies the hard work, passion and dedication of our state’s public schoolteachers,” Lombardo said. “Educators like Joseph make a meaningful and tangible difference every day in the lives of students.”

Kielminski is the second Nevada educator to receive the honor this season, joining Yamilet Lopez of Washoe County, who was awarded in March at Alice Maxwell Elementary School. The Milken Family Foundation plans to honor up to 75 recipients across the country in 2023-24. –Staff

celebrated

its 13th year in Las Vegas on April 10 with a Halloween-in-April party.

New sweet treat blue them away

Members of Blue Man Group look over Blue Man Group-inspired doughnuts April 12 at Pinkbox Doughnuts at the Plaza in Downtown Las Vegas. The limited-edition doughnuts are called Blue Man Pooh, seen below, and Throwdown, which features a blue frosted raised shell filled with Cap’n Crunch and marshmallow and splattered with rainbow frosting. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

Conor McGregor to return at UFC 303 SPORTS

The biggest star in the history of UFC, Conor McGregor, will return to the octagon for the first time in nearly three years June 29 at T-Mobile Arena when he takes on Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout. The fight will headline UFC 303 as part of International Fight Week, an annual weeklong event locally that draws tens of thousands of fight fans for parties, meet-and-greets and more. The fight between McGregor and Chandler, a former Bellator champion and UFC top contender, has been in the works for more than a year since the two coached opposite of each other on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter. Chandler put his career on hold waiting for McGregor and the sure multimillion-dollar payday that comes with fighting him. He hasn’t fought since a November 2022 submission loss to Dustin Poirier. -Case Keefer

The Golden Knights end the regular season against Anaheim on April 18 at 7 p.m. THRU

Hip-hop history

Tesla plans to lay off 10% of workforce

After reporting dismal first-quarter sales, Tesla is planning to lay o about a tenth of its workforce as it tries to cut costs, multiple media outlets reported April 15. CEO Elon Musk detailed the plans in a memo sent to employees. The layo s could a ect about 14,000 of the 140,473 workers employed by the Austin, Texas, company at the end of last year. Tesla sales fell sharply last quarter as competition increased worldwide, electric vehicle sales growth slowed, and price cuts failed to draw more buyers.

LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE

The American Library Association has honored the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District with the Library of the Future Award. The recognition highlights programs like the Free Cox WiFi cards and book vending machines, which directly support the general public and impact underserved communities.

FINAL PERFORMANCES

After a two and a half-year run, America’s Got Talent Presents Superstars Live at the Luxor Theater as announced its final show on May 11. It will feature a star-studded ensemble that includes Kodi Lee, Pack Drumline, Light Balance, Herwan Legaillard, Aaron Crow and Mervant Vera. Tickets are on sale at luxor.com

Original Bronx b-boy Mr. Freeze danced with the Rock Steady Crew decades ago. Now, the Las Vegas local is revealing his archival photos to the public with the 40 Years of Hip-Hop History exhibit, on display at the Arts Factory through April 30. Read more about the exhibit, curated by local photographer Shannon Dorn, and the upcoming closing reception at lasvegasweekly. com.

APRIL 18

STONER SHUTTLE

$27M

Area15 and Planet 13 have announced a new shuttle between the entertainment complex and the “world’s largest dispensary.” Shuttle-14 will launch April 18 and will run every Thursday through Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. The half-mile ride aboard the double-decker, open-air bus is free and unlimited for customers.

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(Shannon Dorn/Mary Michelle Pearce/Courtesy)

As more Gen Zers forgo alcohol, cannabis consumption lounges have a chance to fi ll a gap

BY AMBER SAMPSON

Patrick “Pulsar” Trout, the veteran Las Vegas promoter behind Pulsar Presents, has kept a nger on the pulse of the local music scene for the past 20 years, booking countless shows along the way. Lately, he’s been adjusting to the latest trend in live music: Gen Z crowds are not drinking alcohol at shows nearly as much as older generations did.

“It’s something I’ve observed since the shutdown ended, but especially in the last year,” Trout tells the Weekly. “I’ve seen a dramatic increase in people not drinking at shows or drinking non-alcoholic stu , but then simultaneously also wanting to smoke more. We are really seeing a generational, cultural shift.”

He’s not wrong in that respect. In 2023, Billboard reported music venues and clubs across the U.S. were seeing alcohol sales dry up at shows with Gen Z audiences. Researchers suspect it’s a combination of a few things. Pre-gaming still exists, and these days drinks are expensive. But Gen Z is also signi cantly more health-conscious.

According to Billboard, some venue owners have considered adding more non-alcoholic options on tap to remedy the situation. The mocktail has hit the mainstream, and research company Global Market Insights estimates the non-alcoholic industry will exceed $30 billion by 2025.

But cannabis, as it turns out, is king. A survey conducted by cannabis research and data analyst rm New Frontier Data found that 69% of adults ages 18 to 24 prefer weed over alcohol.

“Everyone has the pot brownie story that was horrible. But everyone also has a lot more of ‘Oh my god, that one night with tequila,’” says Christopher LaPorte, managing partner of Reset,

BUDDING

the cannabis consulting and hospitality management group. “People are more educated now because we are out of the closet. More people know about cannabis. More cool people are very open about their cannabis-smoking habits.”

With state-regulated consumption lounges nally rolling out across the Valley, the cannabis industry has a unique opportunity to create its own version of afterhours entertainment. Several cannabis lounges have already begun introducing their own music programming, and that shift might be exactly what this generation needs.

As LaPorte worked with Thrive to design its new consumption lounge Smoke and Mirrors, he thought about vinyl-spinning Japanese listening cafes. In Brooklyn, he visited a non-alcoholic venue called Listen Bar and that experience also got him thinking.

“There was this buzz, I would say three years ago, about this new culture of non-alcoholic spirits, and we saw that there were bars actually dedicated to that. It wasn’t just an Alcoholics Anonymous kind of center. We [thought] this might be something,” he says. “We saw a lot of products like Lyre’s and Seedlip … they were starting to percolate. And, again, it was like, how can we tie this into a cannabis lounge?’”

At Smoke and Mirrors, non-alcoholic cannabis cocktails infused with THC and drink mixer Sobreo are the main event, serving as a slow and steady introduction for the “canna-curious.” LaPorte sees it as an opportunity to educate and “attract another market into the cannabis space.”

And he’s also ne-tuning that with the lounge’s music.

LaPorte founded popular former Downtown video game bar Insert Coin(s) and has since brought a number

of DJs from that venture to Smoke and Mirrors. On any given night, you can hear the sounds of DJ Phoreyz from Omnia, or DJ Crykit, a household name around town, and many more.

LaPorte isn’t the only nightlife pioneer doing cannabusiness, either. Frankie Anobile, a DJ and pioneer whose True Nightlife group played a major role in the evolution of Las Vegas nightlife, has joined Planet 13 as entertainment director.

“I can’t walk into a 7-Eleven without turning it into a nightclub. DJ booth here, stage there,” Anobile says as we explore Planet 13’s new Dazed lounge. Anobile says he’s open-minded to the trend of Gen Z smoking more and drinking less. Coming from a nightclub

background, he can’t exactly see bong service ever replacing bottle service. His take: why not have both?

Anobile says Planet 13 is in the process of creating a three-story, 60,000-square-foot, alcohol-exclusive nightclub inside its facility, slated to open in 2025. Taking inspiration from the former Studio 54 at MGM Grand, the nightclub will have private viewing suites that face out toward the Strip, a pool and plenty of space to incorporate aerialists. Those who wish to leave the club and consume cannabis would be able to exit and walk across the hall to the Dazed lounge. (Cannabis consumption lounges are not allowed to sell alcohol, per Nevada regulations.)

OPPORTUNITY

(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

It’s an experience that caters to every kind of consumer, not just Gen Z partygoers shunning alcohol.

“You can stay all night drinking for hours; you can’t stay all night smoking. It’s a totally di erent culture, from what they want musically to what their stay time is,” Anobile says, suggesting that cannabis consumers need a di erent kind of hospitality. “A lot of these people don’t usually like to leave their house. They’re not the ones who want to spend an hour getting ready to go out there and be seen like they’re doing an Instagram post.”

Anobile says the Dazed lounge will offer “a variety of eclectic entertainment,” ranging from DJs to contortionists. He’s consulted with former XS resident DJ Warren Peace and veteran DJ and producer Chris Cox to brainstorm future programming, too.

Nuwu Cannabis Marketplace’s Sky High Lounge has rotated live bands into its programming as well. Trout sees the prospect of bringing some of his own shows into these lounges as “a great opportunity for the bands and the scene.”

“One thing I’m really interested to see with the pot lounges that decide to utilize live music is seeing what the spread is, what genres they go after,” says Trout. “There’s some sub genres of metal like doom and stoner rock and desert rock where I think it would absolutely appeal to them to have a place like that where you can smoke and watch music.”

MUSIC INDIE IN RESIDENCE

Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin talks being a ‘Vegas evangelist’ and her new gig at the Beverly Theater

(Courtesy/Nick Mckk)

April 18 & 25, May 2, 7 p.m., $25+, Beverly Theater, thebeverlytheater. com.

BY AMBER SAMPSON

Indie folk-rock singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin might be in her Melbourne kitchen but her heart is still in Vegas.

“I talk about Vegas to lots of people. I’m like a Vegas evangelist or something,” the 33-year-old says over the phone.

During her first backpacking trip to America, Jacklin, then 22, flew out to Los Angeles in search of a little adventure. “Being an Australian who’d never been to America before, we know certain cities from the movies and from pop culture and whatnot. Las Vegas, I had heard of it. So I got the Greyhound out of Vegas, and I had one of the best days of my whole life,” she says.

She’s returned several times since, but never as a musician— until now. As part of her Vegas Residency series, Jacklin will perform three intimate nights at Downtown’s Beverly Theater, examining eras of her womanhood, failed relationships and personal growth through the lens of her last three albums. In March, we caught up with Jacklin to discuss her extended stay.

What was your Vegas itinerary when you first came here?

It was my first couple of days in America, so I was just amazed by everything. My introduction was walking down Fremont Street, then I walked all the way to Circus Circus. I only stayed there because it was the one place I recognized from Fear and Loathing [in Las Vegas]. I had a camera, and I just wandered the Strip for hours and hours. I didn’t drink. I didn’t gamble. I was soaking it all in. I met so many interesting people. I went to a magic show. I went back recently [because] I needed to pick a place to stay when I had a three-week break on tour. It’s probably my favorite place in America.

If you had to pick a Las Vegas residency performer to hop on stage with, who would it be?

Two of my biggest heroes are Celine Dion and Britney Spears. In some world I would love to have gotten up there with Celine Dion, but vocally, you don’t want to go up against Celine. I thought it’d be funny to do an indie-rock residency because usually residencies are for people slightly more famous than me. I thought, why not? I can book a small venue and I can live out my childhood dreams. I have big dreams but I know that I’m never going to be big Vegas residency famous, and I’m very at peace with that.

Touring sounds exhausting. I commend you for settling down in a city.

At this stage in my career as well, I have to start making decisions that help me to really enjoy this job. For a long time, you’ve been operating in this way, where I’m here to please others. It feels noble and good for a while, but ultimately, if you’re not nurturing yourself, and you’re not doing things that make you feel creatively satisfied, it just makes you want to leave the business. I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and I need to do something different for myself, so I can stay in the game.

What can we expect from this residency?

I’m gonna hopefully make a record at the end of September of this year so these residencies are me working on that. I don’t have too many expectations of what it’s going to be like. I’m going to be chatting. I’m going to be playing new stuff, old stuff. I want to play some covers. It’s gonna be a nice hour and a half of music and conversation from an Australian who is going through a change.

For more of this interview, visit lasvegasweekly.com.

LOCAL MUSIC NOTES

Swan Dive arrives, Post NC heads to Japan and more Las Vegas music news

 The Swan has landed. Earlier this month, the highly anticipated live music venue and bar Swan Dive made its debut in Downtown’s Arts District. The sprawling indoor-outdoor venue, now occupying the second floor of the Colorado, is currently housing the programming of Oddfellows as the alt-dance club undergoes renovations. The creators of Oddfellows have yet to elaborate on future bookings at Swan Dive, but indie music collective We The Beat has stated its involvement.

Meanwhile, Sinwave also thrust its doors open and already has a handful of goth parties, metal and hardcore punk acts in the pipeline.

The quirky jammers of Post NC are Japan-bound for a three-show run in June. Garage-rock surf hybrid Los Emptys has also released “Last Call,” one of its breeziest singles yet, but the band also announced its drummer has stepped down. Hardcore darlings Roman Candle also lost a drummer, so if you have what it takes to hit a hi-hat, slide into those DMs.

Lastly, Corner Bar Management, the group behind Fremont East favorites like We All Scream, Peyote and Discopussy, has acquired the Arts District’s Artifice with the intention of turning the venue into a private membership club called The Doberman, set to open in early fall.

Stream This: “Dirty Hands” by Mojave Sun, Hidden Places by The Higher, “Lost Words” by Secos, The Life I Stole EP by Lennon Roach, “Eyes Closed” by Imagine Dragons. –Amber Sampson

JULIA JACKLIN

HANGRY ISN'T LUCKILY NEITHER

ISN'T FAR OFF, NEITHER ARE WE

COMEDY

SHE CAN HAVE IT ALL

Taylor Tomlinson is on top of the comedy world

BY BROCK RADKE

It may appear this year as if Taylor Tomlinson is the latest standup comedian to break through to that next level of ubiquitous stardom. In January, she became the youngest late-night TV host in the game, launching After Midnight on CBS right after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Less than a month later, Tomlinson dropped another stellar Netflix special, Have It All, which may be her best work yet—and that’s saying a lot since 2022’s Look At You was on top of comedy special lists from Vulture and the New York Times. The Have It All tour has already sold out three shows in Chicago and four in Boston this year, and she’s playing bigger rooms this time around.

But the truth is Tomlinson has been a star for a long time. She falls firmly into the category of comics who’ve deftly used the internet and social media—particularly during our pandemic-era need for comedy content—to seize the visibility her talent deserves. And that way she carries herself onstage, wise beyond her 30 years, makes a lot of sense when you discover she’s been performing since she was a teenager, and decided very early that comedy was her path.

Las Vegas recognized Tomlinson was ready for a bigger spotlight back in April 2022 (if not earlier), when she made her debut at Wynn’s Encore Theater. She returns this week and again in June, rejoining the ranks of Ali

Wong, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jim Gaffigan and more—headliners that have made this room a Strip comedy hot spot.

“The Wynn’s incredible and that theater is incredible, and it feels like a very cool, intimate space for being a big theater,” Tomlinson says. “And as far as places to stay in Vegas, I think Wynn is No. 1. It’s totally different from playing [comedy clubs] … you really feel like you’re in show business for real at the Wynn, as opposed to some of the rooms I did when I was younger.”

Between bigger, bolder performances on the road, she’s taping new episodes of After Midnight, a different late-night concept that finds her guiding a panel of comedians in a gameshow format where points are earned for punchlines.

“It’s been everything I wanted it to be, honestly,” Tomlinson says.

“I just wanted to work with all these people and grow through the process, learn some new skills. It’s allowed me to meet a lot of comics I’d never met in person, and it’s a really fun time because stand-ups don’t usually get to play along and improvise with each other.”

It’s exciting to think about how these new performance tools could enhance her act in the future.

Whether she’s going deep on family issues or describing dating disasters, Tomlinson is naturally relatable, and impressively unafraid to get personal. Have It All is rich with material about mental health, and Tomlinson has long been open onstage and off about her bipolar disorder.

TAYLOR TOMLINSON April 19-20, 7:30 p.m., $45-$65. Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com.

“I talked about it with the special before this most recent one and I definitely got a lot of feedback. People have been really sweet, and it’s a scary thing to talk about so it’s nice to hear from other people who have gone through the same thing,” she says.

“But it all feels personal to me. It just depends on the joke. I’m sort of a personal comedian. That’s just how I write.”

CANNABIS

that DIY project,” the website suggests.)

PRODUCTS WITH PURPOSE

There are several other avors and intended uses, but you get the idea: Ayr Wellness knows what consumers like me are asking for and are trying to meet us halfway by answering my questions right on the box.

The time is ripe for such an idea, says Jamie Mendola, Ayr Wellness’ chief business development o cer and GM of its western region.

Kynd has bright new tastes to defeat your troubles

BY GEOFF CARTER

If you’re anything like me—a relatively new convert to cannabis, whose knowledge of the plant is entirely con ned to what he’s been told by young budtenders and longtime tender buds—you shop dispensaries with your grievances front-and-center: “I can’t sleep,” “My back is killing me,” “I can’t follow along with Dune: Part 2,” that sort of thing. You ask for remedies, but you receive well-in-

tentioned but confusing tutorials on cannabinoids and terpenes, and you go home with something that may or may not do what you need it to do.

Ayr Wellness, a cannabis retailer with several Valley locations ( nd them at thedispensarynv. com), is tackling this confusion head-on with its new Kynd gummies—naturally- avored, gluten-free edibles that tell you, right

up front, how they’re intended to be used. Sour Green Apple, a sativa gummy with 1 milligram of THC and 5 milligrams of THCV per piece, is clearly marked “Energy.” The aptly named Bedtime Blueberry, an indica with a 2-to-1 ratio of THC to CBN, is for sleep. Sour Strawberry, a sativa powerhouse with 10mg of THC, is all about “Uplift.” (“Dance your heart out at a music festival or nally tackle

“Years ago, you had kind of basic, one-size- ts-all distillate gummies,” he says. “And as the market has matured, and technology and the supply chain has improved, you’re now seeing most of the well-known brands move towards more e ect-based products, because the reality is that people are generally using [edibles] for speci c reasons.”

He names several such targeted uses, like sleep (“a big use case”), people who need to take frequent low doses for chronic pain, and recreational consumers who like a bit of cannabis as an end-ofday, take-the-edge-o alcohol replacement. And he adds that, even though Ayr is a Florida-based company, Kynd’s gummies are produced in a Las Vegas kitchen to get the formulation just right.

The prices are good: A 10-piece package of regular, terpene-infused gummies is $17 and the “ratio” gummies with minor cannabinoids are $19. (Wow, cannabis seems to be the only instance where “let the marketplace decide” really worked out.)

We may have our pains and problems, but Ayr Wellness and Kynd know their names and are taking them on with some good-tasting remedies.

(Courtesy)

CATCH UP TO YOUR CRAVINGS

Durango’s Summer House brings a year-round feast of seasonal delights

SUMMER HOUSE

Durango, 702-623-5011, summerhouserestaurants.com

Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

BY AMBER SAMPSON

When it comes to food and travel, chef Ben Goodnick of Durango Casino & Resort’s new California-inspired Summer House is as seasoned as they come.

He’s helmed the kitchen of Chicago’s French bistro Mon Ami Gabi, also a staple of dining and people-watching on the Las Vegas Strip. He’s bounced around South America, cooking out of vineyards and exploring markets with some of the best ingredients in the world. But if you asked him to pick a favorite, he’d point to Santa Monica’s Wednesday farmers market, “the greatest single food experience in terms of retail shopping I’ve ever seen.”

“And the great thing about Southern California, which is lucky for us in Las Vegas, is that it’s drivable. In Central

and Southern California, they grow pristine produce year-round,” says Goodnick.

Seizing that opportunity—and using other locally sourced ingredients—is what makes Summer House feel so summery. Imagine grilled tequila-lime chicken tacos, maybe some fire-roasted artichokes, or a plate of salmon poke nachos. Or what about a slab of slowcooked Berkshire pork baby back ribs and a serving of potato salad deviled eggs? Your grill or mine?

“It feels like food you would eat with your toes in the sand or poolside,” Goodnick says.

At Durango, Summer House is an oasis in both concept and feel. The room dazzles with its natural bungalow

(Courtesy/David Borzkowski)

FOOD & DRINK

aesthetic, incorporating trees into the restaurant design for an indoor-outdoor vibe that feels straight out of an Architectural Digest feature. Of the four of the Summer House locations Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group has opened, Goodnick agrees this is the most beautiful. The company has a penchant for creating jaw-dropping venues (see: RPM Italian at the Forum Shops, Happy Camper at Fashion Show) and Summer House has proven no different.

The California-inspired menu features all the beach bites you’d expect— delicious pizzas, ahi tuna tostadas ($19) topped with cubes of watermelon, fish tacos ($23), and surprise favorites like the belly-warming BBQ-glazed salmon ($39), served under a sheet of buttery grits. The prime cheeseburger ($20) is made with well-sourced cuts from Brandt Beef, a family-owned ranch in Southern California. The gigantic, hand-for-scale cookies at Summer House’s cookie bar also can’t be beat. Did we mention the drinks are just

as stellar? Summer House spares no expense with its cocktails, offering fresh sips like the Tropical Dreams ($14), made with habanero honey, grapefruit and vodka, as well as tasty mocktails. Those pair well with a weekend brunch menu on which Goodnick says the team worked especially hard, aiming to ensure the best and brightest flavors are brought to the table. That’s evident in the restaurant’s take on Mexican hash browns ($16) and the beloved breakfast feast of huevos rancheros ($19).

The chef has every intention of keeping this cuisine simple and satisfying.

“I don’t have ego that I need to make this because it makes me feel good as a chef or as a creative. That’s not my motivation,” Goodnick says. “My motivation is the people who walk through the doors.

“I think our brunch menu specifically is really things that people want to eat. It’s craveable and delicious, and maybe it feels right after Saturday night into Sunday morning.”

FOOD & DRINK NOTES

Margaritaworld, Restaurant Week, brunch at Pine Bistro and more

 The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center will host the inaugural Margaritaworld this weekend on April 20 starting at 5 p.m. An entire lineup of specialty margs will match up with grub from Fast Eddie’s Burgers and Original Street Eats, and live music from tribute bands will round things out. Tickets start at $35 at universe.com. While you’re planning your future, save these delicious dates right now: Las Vegas Restaurant Week to benefit Three Square returns June 3-14 (restaurantweeklv.org); new culinary fest Revelry, taking place adjacent The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards ceremony’s Vegas debut, will be held at Wynn June 5-8 (lasvegasrevelry. com). And November 16 marks the return of the Las Vegas Pizza Festival at the

Industrial Event Space (ve gaspizzafest.com).

Pine Bistro in Southern Highlands is launching a unique Mediterranean-inspired brunch on April 27, featuring one-of-a-kind dishes like the chili shrimp bagel, chicken and waffles with sweet and spicy sauce and sesame seeds, and the Bearclawajillo, an almond-espresso cocktail. Premium hookah and local DJs are part of the brunch fun every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Harlo Steakhouse & Bar at Downtown Summerlin continues its April tasting menu featuring the flavors of Japan ($95), including dishes like ocean trout sashimi, lobster chawanmushi with smoked trout roe and A5 Wagyu miyazaki striploin.

–Brock Radke

Summer House’s glazed salmon (above) and potato salad deviled eggs.

(Courtesy/David Borzkowski)

(Courtesy/AYYA Hospitality Group)

CARLOS BALLARTA

TLATOANI

FRIDAY | MAY 3

KOUNTRY WAYNE

SATURDAY | MAY 11

AMON AMARTH

FRIDAY | MAY 24

BABYFACE

LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

METAL CRUSHES ALL TOUR WITH CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY & FROZEN SOUL

SATURDAY & SUNDAY | MAY 25 & 26

SPORTS

HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Ranking the top fi ve positions the Raiders need to address in the NFL Draft

1

QUARTERBACK

BY CASE KEEFER

Apositive reception has greeted nearly every move the Las Vegas Raiders have made this o season.

Fans couldn’t help but come away excited with an active free-agency period in March, headlined by luring the consensus top defensive player on the market, tackle Christian Wilkins, to town. Two months earlier, both the fan base and the NFL community at large expressed widespread approval of Raiders owner Mark Davis’ decision to elevate Antonio Pierce from interim to permanent head coach.

Perhaps the only decision that spurred some debate was Davis’ call to hire over interim general manager Champ Kelly and bring in former Chargers’ shot-caller Tom Telesco to fill the role.

But that mini-controversy will soon be forgotten if the 51-year-old Telesco, who has so far retained Kelly as an assistant, can achieve what so many of his Raiders predecessors have failed to do and put together an impactful draft class.

Telesco has worked tirelessly to get ready for the NFL Draft on April 25-27 in Detroit, and it’s nearing time to put all the preparation into action. While the Raiders showed great progress in winning three of their final four games last season and may have boosted their roster since then, some notable holes still exist. Telesco will need to fill them during the draft as the Raiders continue their long-running quest to get their first playo win since 2002.

Here are the five positions Telesco and the Raiders are likely to target with their current collection of eight picks (No. 13 overall in the first round, No. 44 overall in the second round, No. 77 overall in the third round, No. 112 overall in the fourth round, No. 148 overall in the fifth round, No. 208 overall in the sixth round, No. 223 overall in the seventh round, and No. 229 overall in the seventh round). They’re ranked in order of importance, with some potential prospects and where they’re most slotted to be picked listed in each category. The draft gets more dicult to predict as it goes on, so the targets will primarily be players with lower-round grades.

The Raiders have a pair of serviceable options at the sport’s most important position, free-agent acquisition Gardner Minshew and incumbent Aidan O’Connell, but they’re both better suited as backups. To win at the highest level, Las Vegas needs to nd its franchise quarterback. This year’s draft is considered rich in quarterback talent and the Raiders’ infatuation with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is no secret around the league, but getting the former LSU and Arizona State passer would require trading up. The asking price is sure to be prohibitive, and Telesco may not want to pay it.

2

CORNERBACK

Potential targets: LSU’s Jayden Daniels ( rst round), Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. ( rst round), Oregon’s Bo Nix ( rst round), South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler (third round).

Fourth-year veteran Nate Hobbs is one of the league’s better slot cornerbacks, and Jack Jones ashed high-level potential upon joining the Raiders from the Patriots last year, but the ranks are thin beyond the pair. Jakorian Bennett, a fourth-round pick last year, struggled as a rookie, and Amik Robertson, a staple since the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, left for Detroit in free agency. Don’t be surprised if the Raiders draft multiple cornerbacks. Las Vegas could still be planning to add another veteran before training camp, but that plan didn’t work out last year when they cut former All-Pro Marcus Peters midseason for showing a lack of e ort on the eld.

Potential targets: Alabama’s Terrion Arnold ( rst round), Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter (second round), Oregon’s Khyree Jackson (third round), Kentucky’s Andru Phillips (third round).

3 RIGHT TACKLE

Most mock drafts have the Raiders taking a right tackle in the rst round, which isn’t out of the question but may also ignore that they have a promising returner at the position. Last year’s primary starter Jermaine Eluemunor left for the New York Giants in free agency, but some thought former seventh-round pick Thayer Munford Jr. outplayed him last year anyway. Munford started the end of the year at right tackle when Eluemunor switched to left tackle to ll in for the injured Kolton Miller. A starting tackle duo of Miller and Munford this year could be above-average, though it’s an important position that teams are always looking to upgrade.

Potential targets: Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga ( rst round), Houston’s Patrick Paul (second round), BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia (third round), Maryland’s Delmar Glaze (fourth round).

4 RIGHT GUARD

Guards are historically considered less important, and therefore less in demand, than their tackle counterparts but that’s starting to change a little bit. The guard market hit an all-time high in free agency, and some are calling for the trend to continue by teams taking players at the position higher in the draft. The Raiders have former third-round pick Dylan Parham entrenched next to Miller on the left side, but no strong option on the right after having not resigned last year’s starter Greg Van Roten. They could take a player with versatility to play either tackle or guard. Liberty High graduate Troy Fautanu is considered the best of that crop of players in this year’s draft.

Potential targets: Washington’s Troy Fautanu ( rst round), Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson (second round), Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe (third round), Kansas’ Dominick Puni (fourth round).

5 RUNNING BACK

The Raiders plan to feature bulldozing third-year runner Zamir White with freeagent signing Alexander Mattison as his primary backup, but Telesco believes in a running-back-by-committee approach. He wants several players on the roster at the position. Las Vegas also resigned third-down back Ameer Abdullah, but it could use more pass-catching and another back with a shiftier style. The running back group is going to look a lot di erent with former NFL rushing champ Josh Jacobs o to the Green Bay Packers, and the makeover isn’t done yet.

Potential targets: Michigan’s Blake Corum (third round), Wisconsin’s Braelon Puni Allen (fourth round), Oregon’s Bucky Irving (fourth round), Notre Dame’s Audric Estime (fourth round).

Go beyond the neon lights and explore the wonders of Nevada. Take a road trip to experience stunning state parks, crystal-clear lakes, haunted ghost towns, Sagebrush Saloons, and star-studded night skies. From quick day trips to uncommon overnighters, the Silver State is waiting for you.

Go on, get a little out there. Explore Your State at TravelNevada.com

MERGER WILL HELP STREAMLINE STATE’S CANNABIS INDUSTRY

BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF

Anew partnership is seeking to iron out wrinkles in Nevada’s cannabis supply chain.

Blackbird, a cannabis distribution company, was recently acquired by cannabis wholesale platform Nabis, allowing the brands to combine their expertise, technology and other assets to increase industry e ciency statewide.

“We’re on this march toward becoming national, and just basically providing the geographical, uni ed, infrastructural business that helps brands go from market to market without having to deal with all the little nuances of regulation within each state,” said Vince Ning, co-CEO and co-founder of the California-based Nabis. “And we did not have a presence in Nevada, and so (Blackbird)—that was something that is a perfect puzzle-piece t for what we were intending to do as a business.”

If you go into any cannabis dispensary in Nevada, there’s a good chance it has products that Blackbird put there, said Drea Ballard, director of operations for Blackbird.

The company has been a resource for manufacturers and cultivators across the state, Ballard said, which can be challenging for a relatively “small operation.” He pointed to the unique challenges of the cannabis industry, including insurance and nancing, and how Nabis can help Blackbird support Nevada’s cannabis infrastructure more than ever before.

“With Nabis coming in, they’re going to help us esh out our infrastructure,” Ballard said. “They’re going to provide us support from a larger level.”

Ning emphasized the relationships that Nabis has with retailers in its respective markets, and how it has data that can give those di erent brands a better understanding of who to sell to and what to o er.

That data is “critical” in informing manufacturing partners on what to produce and how much

to produce, so there’s never an oversupply, he added. So, for instance, if demand is dropping for a certain product, Nabis can tell its brands not to produce that product.

“Similar to how other industries have FedEx and DHL and other third-party logistics companies, cannabis businesses want the same level of commoditized services for shipping products, that allows them to get to market,” Ning said.

Every state has di erent regulations, which can be a challenge for any given brand to meet when it comes to distributing their product. Nabis, however, can allow individual companies to come to market by accessing a software portal and shipping, tracking and managing their products easily, Ning said.

Blackbird, which Ballard said does a signi cant amount of business between both Las Vegas and Reno, moves “[all] manner of cannabis” and has seen a wide range of products vary in popularity, each with its own logistical challenges in terms of warehousing and transportation.

“If you’ve set up your operation in Las Vegas, you’re limiting yourself to less than 60% of the market,” he said. “We’ve seen changes in the products that are popular with, just, innovation in the cannabis industry. We’ve moved everything from infused drinks, non-alcoholic beer, THC-infused chocolates, all sorts of edibles, gummies, and now it’s standardizing, but it’s always

changing.”

Each product requires di erent handling and transportation conditions, Ning echoed, which are the kind of problems that Nabis has set out to solve.

The company is always cognizant of shifts in market trends, he said, pointing to the increasing proliferation of cannabis consumption lounges and the quantities or shipment styles that retailers like that require.

“There’s all sorts of di erent changes that are happening,” he said, “despite Nevada having been a legalized market for the past six years.”

Nabis was drawn to Blackbird because of the “incredible job” it’s done and the reputation it has for high-quality service in Nevada, Ning said.

The company’s corporate culture meshes well with that of Nabis, he said, and going forward they both hope to continue supporting manufacturers and retailers, and o oading some of the work they have to do in terms of packaging, shipping, warehousing and inventory management.

“We have a marketplace that we hope to alleviate some of the sales reps’ work in Nevada, as well—so all sorts of di erent technology services and tools we’re hoping to continue to add on to what Blackbird’s already built, which is quite robust,” Ning said. “But I think it can help continue to alleviate a lot of the strain, and streamline more of the wholesaling process in the market.”

(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

GIVING NOTES

Local philanthropy making a difference

Communities In Schools of Nevada, part of the nation’s leading evidence-based stay-in-school organization serving 110 schools in the Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe County school districts, received a $500,000 donation from Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture mining complex operated by Barrick. CIS was also awarded a fiveyear $11,852,258 grant from the United States Department of Education as part of a nearly $74 million expansion in the Federal Full-Service Community Schools grant program. The grant was secured in partnership with Nevada GrantLab and its expert partners.

GiGi’s Playhouse, the international network of Down syndrome achievement centers, celebrated its expansion to Las Vegas with the opening of its 59th brick-and-mortar location. GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas offers free social, educational, therapeutic and career

development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas partnered with 36 local Smith’s Food & Drug stores for the 24th annual Fill the Pantry Food Drive. Shoppers donated over five tons of food and household supplies to support RMHC families. In addition, RMHC collected more than $6,000 in Smith’s gift cards and cash donations.

The Just One Project, a nonprofit that serves more than 20,000 Southern Nevadans facing food insecurity through mobile and client-centric grocery distribution of fresh produce and pantry essentials, announced the opening of the Community Market at Mojave High School, a new, no-cost market serving the school’s students and their families, faculty and staff. The by-appointment

market is open to Mojave High School students, families, faculty and staff during school hours.

Shahn Douglas, executive director of the Downtown Vegas Alliance, announced that the following businesses have joined the organization: Active Solutions Group, GEST Downtown Las Vegas, Juhl Homeowners Association, Las Vegas Pride, Pizza Rock, SCE Credit Union, Speakeasy Barbershop, The Power of Connection Podcast, Till Death Do Us Party and Barker

Pacific Group/Tower 300. The alliance was formed by business leaders and property owners with a vision to bring together stakeholders who were passionate about the community and had the capacity to cultivate change and put it into action. Membership is open to property owners, businesses, nonprofits, local governments and public agencies that are active in Downtown.

Mediblock, Inc. seeks a Lead Software Developer in Las Vegas, NV. Duties: Build enterprise software on both the client-side and the server-side; Utilize firm working knowledge and understanding of web frameworks, APIs, serverside languages and databases; and Build software solutions utilizing modern architecture encompassing client-side, server-side and database components to solve problems in healthcare provider identity management; deliver an amazing experience for hospital and physician users. Position requires Masters’ degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Related, and 2 years of experience in information technology. Position also requires experience in building large-scale (enterprise) software applications; experience in building web applications; proficiency with GitHub (or another version control system as required); working knowledge of Javascript, Python, Amazon Web Services, or equivalent; and experience debugging, optimization, and unit/integration testing. Salary: $100,000/yr to $130,000/yr.

Please send resume to jobs-hiring@mediblock.io

KENTUCKY DERBY EVENT

MAY 4 | 2PM - 5PM

Sound the trumpets, it’s time to run for the roses!

Grab your derby attire to cheer on your favorite jockeys with a mint julep in hand. From the moment the gates open, you’ll have a front row seat 60 floors above for the most exciting two minutes in sports.

SPRITZ & MINT JULEP BAR

DERBY HAT CONTEST

RACE VIEWING WITH FULL AUDIO

DERBY-INSPIRED BITES