Last summer when Jonathan Ruddick had been hosting meet-up events and educational classes in southern Illinois, he recognized the want and need for a legal adult cannabis lounge.

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“From there, we started the process of deciding exactly what we wanted it to be, how to do it, and how to do it correctly and responsibly as an entirely new part of the industry for Illinois,” Ruddick said. “It was important for us to create a classy atmosphere completely free of alcohol where legal adults could come and safely and comfortably consume their favorite cannabis products.”

Ruddick applied for a cannabis consumption lounge license in November 2021 and received the license in January 20, 2022. Soon after, Ruddick opened The Hideaway Lounge at Three Mile Farm.

The Hideaway, located at 22 South Main Street in Harrisburg, is designed to give locals and travelers an upscale environment to legally consume cannabis with friends while participating in an array of games, shows, and events. The entertainment provided by The Hideaway Lounge includes music, comedy, and game nights (every Thursday), as well as Cannabis Yoga class. In addition, Ruddick will be adding monthly educational and grow classes from industry professionals. He believes in supporting local and traveling artists and comedians and brings weekly shows to the community to “create an incredible vibe within the space.”

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“We will also be having mental growth and self care speakers, along with other classes to that may help or introduce people to a variety of topics,” he said. “We also host the Farmer’s and Maker’s Market here in Harrisburg in Partnership with the City from April until October. This April we will also be Hosting the GrowCast Cultivators Cup with wonderful people from all over the country coming to enjoy.”

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Ruddick enforces a no-alcohol policy and wants to be the standard of operation of lounges in the state.

“We want to contribute to the community by setting the example of responsible cannabis consumption, working with the community and maintaining our space beyond expectation,” Ruddick said. “We added full hepa and carbon air filtration to the lounge with forced air to ensure a comfortable environment without having to wave clouds out of the way to see your friends, and for guests who may not consume smokeable products, it makes them able to enjoy the lounge as well.”

Ruddick currently plans to continue with education, entertainment, enjoyment, and propulsion of the cannabis plant and industry, as well as expansion of his building to make even room for more guests.

“The main goal over the next year, though, is just to set a positive example of what a lounge can do for a community to help set the stage for other small business owners to start their own place,” he said. “It is an amazing environment, and I would love more cities to get on board.”

Three Mile Farm and The Hideaway Lounge can be found on Facebook on Instagram @three.mile.farm. Check back soon for a revamped website launch at threemilefarm.com.

For more Illinois cannabis industry news, click here.