Walk into Planet 13 Las Vegas and the first thing you notice isn't the smell of cannabis. It’s the scale. It's huge.
Most people searching for "Planet 14 Las Vegas" are actually looking for this place, the massive "SuperStore" located just off the Strip on Desert Inn Road. It's a common typo. But honestly, the confusion makes sense because the place feels more like a space station or a high-end tech campus than a traditional pot shop.
You’ve probably seen the videos of the giant red orb out front. Or the LED floor that reacts when you step on it. It’s flashy. It’s loud. It’s aggressively "Vegas." But behind the 112,000 square feet of neon and glass, there is a very complex operation running 24/7 that most tourists completely miss while they’re busy taking selfies with the digital graffiti wall.
Why Everyone Gets the Name Planet 14 Las Vegas Wrong
Let's clear the air. There is no Planet 14.
The "13" in Planet 13 is a deliberate nod to the letter M—the 13th letter of the alphabet—which stands for marijuana. It’s a bit of stoner lore baked right into the corporate branding. If you're looking for a Planet 14, you're likely chasing a ghost or a typo in a GPS app.
The real destination is a massive complex that includes a dispensary, a restaurant, a production facility, and even a radio station. It’s a massive business play by co-CEOs Larry Scheffler and Bob Groesbeck. These guys weren't just looking to sell a few pre-rolls; they wanted to build a "marijuana mecca" that could compete with the Bellagio fountains for foot traffic.
They succeeded. On a busy Saturday, the place sees thousands of people. It’s one of the few spots in Vegas where you’ll see a bachelor party, a retired couple from Ohio, and a local industry worker all standing in the same line.
The Reality of the "SuperStore" Experience
So, what actually happens when you walk in?
First, the security is tighter than most nightclubs. You need a valid, government-issued ID. No exceptions. They scan it at the door, and then you're ushered into the Great Hall. This is where the sensory overload starts.
The ceiling features 3D holographic projections. There are giant lotus flowers that "bloom" via remote control. It’s easy to get distracted by the spectacle, but the real engine is the sales floor.
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The dispensary area itself is cavernous. Unlike the cramped, clinical feel of many medical dispensaries, this looks like a cross between an Apple Store and a high-end jewelry boutique. There are dozens of "budtenders" behind long counters, and wait times can vary wildly.
- If you go at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday, you might walk right up.
- If you go at 10:00 PM on a Friday? Prepare to wait.
The inventory is massive. They carry everything from their house brands like Trendi and HaHa Gummies to premium third-party flower. But here is a tip: the prices are often "Strip prices." You’re paying for the experience, the air conditioning, and the giant LED floor. If you're a budget shopper, you’re mostly there for the sights.
The Production Wing: Seeing How the Sausage Is Made
One of the coolest, and often overlooked, parts of the complex is the 15,000-square-foot production facility.
Through massive glass windows, you can watch workers in lab coats and hairnets actually making the edibles and vapes. It looks like a high-tech kitchen. You see the massive vats of chocolate being tempered for bars and the precision machinery used to dose gummies.
It’s a smart move by the owners. It builds trust. When you see the cleanliness of the lab, you feel a lot better about that $25 pack of gummies you just bought. Plus, it’s just fascinating to watch the industrial side of a once-underground industry.
What Most People Get Wrong About Consumption
This is the part that trips up almost every tourist.
You bought the product at Planet 13. You’re in Las Vegas. You can just light up on the sidewalk, right?
Wrong. Despite the legal status of cannabis in Nevada, public consumption remains a legal gray area that leans heavily toward "illegal." You cannot smoke in your hotel room (you'll get hit with a $500 cleaning fee faster than you can blink). You cannot smoke on the Strip. You certainly can’t smoke in the Planet 13 parking lot.
However, the landscape is shifting. Nevada has begun issuing licenses for "consumption lounges." Planet 13 has been working on their own lounge space, which aims to be a high-end social club where people can actually use the products they buy legally and safely.
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Until those lounges are fully operational and standardized across the city, you’re basically stuck with edibles or finding a private residence. Most locals will tell you that people smoke on the Strip anyway, but the police do hand out tickets, and the fines aren't cheap.
The Business Logic Behind the Neon
Why build something this big? Why not just have ten small shops?
It’s about the "Experience Economy." In a city like Vegas, you aren't just competing with other dispensaries. You’re competing with Cirque du Soleil, the Raiders stadium, and the Wynn buffet.
Planet 13 was designed to be a "destination." They want you to spend two hours there. They want you to eat at Trece (their on-site restaurant), watch the production line, take photos for Instagram, and then buy your cannabis.
It works. The company is publicly traded (PLNH) and has expanded into other markets like Orange County, California. But the Vegas flagship remains the crown jewel. It’s a high-volume, high-margin machine that proves cannabis can be marketed with the same glitz as any other luxury commodity.
Comparing the Options
Honestly, if you just want a quick eighth of flower and you don't care about LED floors, there are plenty of other spots.
- The Grove is closer to the airport and tends to be more "functional."
- NuWu Cannabis Marketplace is located on tribal land and features a drive-thru and an active consumption lounge.
- Cookies on the Strip offers that specific brand-name hype.
But none of them match the sheer "what on earth am I looking at" factor of Planet 13. It is a monument to the end of prohibition.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you're heading there, keep a few things in mind.
First, bring cash. While they have ATMs on-site and some "cashless" payment systems that function like ATM withdrawals, the cannabis industry is still largely unbanked due to federal laws. It makes transactions a bit clunky.
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Second, use their shuttle. They offer a free shuttle service that picks up from many major Strip hotels. It’s a great way to save on an Uber, especially since the walk from the Strip isn't exactly "pedestrian friendly." You’d be crossing some busy overpasses and industrial stretches. Just take the shuttle.
Third, check the "Deals" page on their website before you go. They often have specials for locals or specific brands that can save you 20% to 30%.
The Future of the Brand
The evolution of the site is ongoing. They are constantly tweaking the tech.
One of the more recent additions is the "Dueling Alchemists," which is essentially a pair of robotic arms that "mix" drinks (non-infused for now) in the restaurant area. It’s cheesy, sure, but it fits the vibe.
They are also leaning harder into the "Cannabis Museum" concept. They want to educate people on the history of the plant, the different terpenes, and how the endocannabinoid system works. It’s a way to add "authority" to the brand so they aren't just seen as a tourist trap.
Final Insights for the Vegas Traveler
Whether you call it Planet 14 Las Vegas or its real name, Planet 13, the facility is a must-see for anyone interested in how the cannabis industry is maturing. It’s a strange, beautiful, expensive, and overwhelming place.
It represents the "new" Las Vegas—a city that is moving away from just gambling and into specialized, immersive retail. Even if you don't consume cannabis, the architecture and the tech display are worth a twenty-minute walkthrough.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify your ID: Make sure your license isn't expired; they are extremely strict and will turn you away at the door.
- Download the Menu: Browse the Planet 13 menu online before you arrive to avoid being overwhelmed by the hundreds of options at the counter.
- Plan Your Transport: Call the dispensary or check their site to see if the free shuttle is currently running from your specific hotel.
- Know the Law: Remember that possession is legal, but public consumption is still a fineable offense in most of Vegas.
- Check the Lounge Status: If you want to consume on-site, call ahead to see if the consumption lounge is open to the public during your visit, as hours and availability can change with local regulations.