California is on the verge of introducing a new era in its cannabis culture with the potential passage of Assembly Bill 1775. The bill, which was approved by the state Legislature on Wednesday, would allow Californians to enter dispensaries, light up a cannabis pre-roll, and order food such as fries or a sandwich to enjoy alongside their cannabis consumption.
Currently, some California dispensaries offer "consumption lounges" where customers can vape, smoke, and sample edibles on-site. However, these establishments are restricted to selling only prepackaged snacks and drinks. If Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 1775 into law, cities in California would have the authority to permit "cannabis cafes" that could sell food and nonalcoholic beverages while also hosting live music and other performances. The bill passed the Assembly with a 63-5 vote.
The concept of "cannabis cafes" has been likened to the coffee shops in Amsterdam, where cannabis consumption has been legal since the 1970s. Proponents of the California bill argue that it would foster a more comfortable recreational weed culture and boost the profitability of the state's heavily taxed and regulated legal cannabis dispensaries, which face competition from black-market sellers.
Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), the author of the bill, has stated that an additional revenue stream would support legal businesses that "just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing." He emphasized that "the illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling."
The bill is backed by the California Nightlife Assn. and California NORML, a chapter of the national organization advocating for changes to cannabis laws. These groups contend that California's current dispensary policies have "replaced the social aspect of the Amsterdam cannabis scene with pharmacy-like businesses that only allow customers to order cannabis at a counter, purchase nothing else, and then leave."
However, the bill faces opposition from public health groups, including the American Heart Assn. and the Health Officers Assn. of California. They argue that secondhand marijuana smoke contains higher particulate levels than tobacco smoke and can cause health issues such as cardiovascular disease, lung irritation, and asthma attacks.
Governor Newsom vetoed a nearly identical version of the cannabis cafe bill last year, expressing concerns about the potential impact on California's "longstanding smoke-free workplace protections." The new amendments added in the Senate this month appear to address Newsom's concerns, clarifying that if cities choose to impose ventilation standards, the systems must be powerful enough to prevent "smoke and odors from migrating to any other part of the building hosting the consumption lounge or any neighboring building or grounds."
The bill also stipulates that cannabis cafe employees would have the right to wear respirator masks at work, paid for by their employers. Additionally, employers would be required to include secondhand smoke in their injury and illness prevention plans mandated by California labor law.
West Hollywood established a similar licensing system six years ago and now has several cannabis cafes operating within less than two square miles. Local officials, who are dubbing the city the "Amsterdam of the far West," believe that the comfort and familiarity of smoking or vaping in a restaurant setting could help the city achieve one of the highest numbers of cannabis businesses per capita worldwide.
The City of Los Angeles and other major cities in Southern California have not yet implemented such licensing systems but could do so if Governor Newsom signs AB 1775 into law.
Currently, some California dispensaries offer "consumption lounges" where customers can vape, smoke, and sample edibles on-site. However, these establishments are restricted to selling only prepackaged snacks and drinks. If Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 1775 into law, cities in California would have the authority to permit "cannabis cafes" that could sell food and nonalcoholic beverages while also hosting live music and other performances. The bill passed the Assembly with a 63-5 vote.
The concept of "cannabis cafes" has been likened to the coffee shops in Amsterdam, where cannabis consumption has been legal since the 1970s. Proponents of the California bill argue that it would foster a more comfortable recreational weed culture and boost the profitability of the state's heavily taxed and regulated legal cannabis dispensaries, which face competition from black-market sellers.
Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), the author of the bill, has stated that an additional revenue stream would support legal businesses that "just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing." He emphasized that "the illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling."
The bill is backed by the California Nightlife Assn. and California NORML, a chapter of the national organization advocating for changes to cannabis laws. These groups contend that California's current dispensary policies have "replaced the social aspect of the Amsterdam cannabis scene with pharmacy-like businesses that only allow customers to order cannabis at a counter, purchase nothing else, and then leave."
However, the bill faces opposition from public health groups, including the American Heart Assn. and the Health Officers Assn. of California. They argue that secondhand marijuana smoke contains higher particulate levels than tobacco smoke and can cause health issues such as cardiovascular disease, lung irritation, and asthma attacks.
Governor Newsom vetoed a nearly identical version of the cannabis cafe bill last year, expressing concerns about the potential impact on California's "longstanding smoke-free workplace protections." The new amendments added in the Senate this month appear to address Newsom's concerns, clarifying that if cities choose to impose ventilation standards, the systems must be powerful enough to prevent "smoke and odors from migrating to any other part of the building hosting the consumption lounge or any neighboring building or grounds."
The bill also stipulates that cannabis cafe employees would have the right to wear respirator masks at work, paid for by their employers. Additionally, employers would be required to include secondhand smoke in their injury and illness prevention plans mandated by California labor law.
West Hollywood established a similar licensing system six years ago and now has several cannabis cafes operating within less than two square miles. Local officials, who are dubbing the city the "Amsterdam of the far West," believe that the comfort and familiarity of smoking or vaping in a restaurant setting could help the city achieve one of the highest numbers of cannabis businesses per capita worldwide.
The City of Los Angeles and other major cities in Southern California have not yet implemented such licensing systems but could do so if Governor Newsom signs AB 1775 into law.