California’s largest cannabis lounge opens in Heber

CBS 13's April Hettinger opens the door to the brand new facility

HEBER, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A new cannabis facility in Imperial County is a game changer to the green market.

Cannaffornia Connection is what they decided to call it.

The new building has two consumption lounges and two retail centers.

It brings nearly 40 jobs to the valley, almost all hired locally.

It will bring more employment to the economy once the new 32-acre cultivation centers open.

Since it is right off the I-8, the company believes this will bring more attraction to the valley as a point where Arizona, California and Mexico meet.

"What it also means for the Imperial Valley is that people have a reason to stop here," said Abigai Perez, marketing director for Queen of Dragons. "We're located in a really, really great area where we get people coming from Arizona, we get people coming from the border, we get people coming from San Diego."

Customers can try out products in the lounge after making a purchase. There are options for in-house flights or to-go orders.

To comply with COVID safety regulations, the company gives out disposable mouthpieces to avoid sharing.

"People will come in and want to try it whether it's joints or vape cartridges, and we have these which are tips which we would be giving each customer one," said Jessica Berumen, manager for Queen of Dragons.

The lounge is a way for inexperienced cannabis users to try new product with guidance in a safe environment.

"If you do want to try and edible, you can clear your calendar for a day, come down here, we can talk to you, you can pick the one you want, you can try it and you can sit here and make sure that you're in a safe environment," Perez explained.

They are in the process of starting indoor cultivation centers and distribution and manufacturing centers.