MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – From blast-off brownies to nugged-out nachos, a Memphis restaurant plans to serve up munchables that may give you the munchies!
Cannabis is on the menu at a new joint opening Friday on Broad Avenue, and Action News 5 found out the legality that allowed the bar to open.
Buds & Brews opens Friday evening in the popular Broad Avenue Arts District at 2519 Broad Avenue.
It’s atthe corner of Broad and Merton and offers a unique experience inside as Memphis’ first cannabis-themed bar.
Buds & Brews is set to celebrate the grand opening for its Memphis location, located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024(Action News 5)
“If Jimmy Buffet can have a margarita-themed restaurant, then we can have a cannabis-themed restaurant,” said Buds & Brews owner Michael Solomon. “Upscale bar food with THC-infused sauces, drinks and have a pretty fun culinary experience.”
But, it begs the question, is this legal in Tennessee? Long story short, yes—depending on how much THC is being served.
THC is a cannabinoid that gets you high. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale of hemp-derived THCA, which converts to THC when it’s heated.
Hemp-derived THCA is legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
The dishes served at Buds & Brews only come with the extra buzz if you request it!
Buds & Brews is set to celebrate the grand opening for its Memphis location, located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024(Buds & Brews)
“Everything is premade, so you don’t have to add the THC. There’s no loose THC in this restaurant, everything with THC is infused offsite,” said Solomon. “You can pick any of the most commonly-used condiments like ketchup, mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, and they come infused with THC.”
But the food isn’t the only thing that can bring a buzz.
“Cocktails like margaritas and Arnold Palmers, and we have those, instead of alcohol in them, they have THC in them,” said Solomon.
All customers must be 21 or older and have a valid ID to order.
When asked how Solomon is monitoring people who come in and use the product, Solomon said, “Most places, just the bartenders have to be ABC-certified, but we kind of go the extra step and we want everybody ABC-certified.”
Buds & Brews is set to celebrate the grand opening for its Memphis location, located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024(Action News 5)
Though a restaurant with a cannabis concept is new to Memphis, this isn’t the first Buds & Brews in Tennessee.
Solomon picked this spot, where Bounty on Broad used to be at Broad and Merton, based on the success of his two other joints in Nashville.
“When we opened Buds & Brews in Nashville, one of our biggest following was from the Memphis area,” he said.
He’s catered his latest space to the Bluff City.
“We have BB King, Elvis, a lot of Memphis references throughout the place,” said Solomon.
The two-story restaurant holds more than 120 people. It has two bars and special artwork with cannabis decor.
Also on the menu are vapor taps that let you vape THCA onsite in flavors like Super Wedding Cake, Runtz and OG Kush.
Buds & Brews is set to celebrate the grand opening for its Memphis location, located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024(Buds & Brews)
In their retail area, Buds & Brews also sells gummies infused with THC.
Licensed and legal, Buds & Brews is changing the game on Broad Avenue.
New rules go into effect December 26 limiting the sale of some hemp-derived cannabis in Tennessee.
Solomon said he may not be able to sell some of his infusions after that date, it really depends on what happens with a lawsuit over the new rules filed by hemp producers.
For more information, visit the Buds & Brews website here.
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From blast-off brownies to nugged-out nachos, a Memphis restaurant plans to serve up munchables that may give you the munchies! Read More
