From the start of next year, cannabis retailers in California will be allowed to sell fresh food and non-alcoholic drinks – and even put on a party whilst doing so – after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a “cannabis café” bill into law on September 30.
Cannabis lounges, where people can smoke and socialize, already exist in California, but under current laws, they can only sell prepackaged food and drink – and that’s only if they’ve been given a license by local authorities.
According to the bill’s supporters, this lack of flexibility over what can be sold has created an environment that makes it difficult for legitimate businesses to thrive amongst a booming black market.
“Right now, our small cannabis businesses are struggling to compete against illegal drug sellers that don’t follow the law or pay taxes,” said the bill’s author, Assemblymember Matt Haney, in a statement. “In order to ensure the legal cannabis market can survive and thrive in California, we have to allow them to adapt, innovate and offer products and experiences that customers want.”
When the newly signed AB 1775 comes into effect on January 1, 2025, it’ll become legal for cannabis retailers to prepare and sell non cannabis containing food and (also non-alcoholic) beverages, although they’ll still have to get local authorization to do so. They’ll also be allowed to host and sell tickets to live events.
The news was welcomed by Haney.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others, and many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a sandwich, or listening to music,” said the state assemblymember. “That is now finally legal in California and there’s no doubt that cannabis cafes will bring massive economic, cultural and creative opportunities and benefits to our state.”
This isn’t the only version of the bill that’s reached Newsom’s desk, however. Last year, an earlier iteration made it through the state legislature but was vetoed by Newsom on the basis that it didn’t take into enough consideration California’s smoke-free workplace protections.
Critics of the bill were concerned that it might put café workers at unnecessary risk.
“We know it’s not the same as tobacco smoke, there are different chemicals,” said Dr Michael Ong, a professor in medicine and health policy and management and chairman of the Tobacco Education Research and Oversight Committee, speaking to the New York Times. “But just because they’re different, doesn’t mean that they’re better.”
“If you’re burning it, you’re going to create the same type of chemicals that are in tobacco that are linked to cancer, lung issues, respiratory infections and cardiovascular issues.”
Despite those concerns, the changes made since the initial bill appear to have satisfied the governor.
“I commend the author for incorporating additional safeguards,” said Newsom in a signing message, “such as expressly protecting employees discretion to wear a mask for respiration, paid for at the expense of the employer, and requiring employees to receive additional guidance on the risks of secondhand cannabis smoke.”
However, he also warned that “any future measure that diverges from this tailored approach will not be looked upon favorably”, stating that the new benefits afforded by the bill could be reconsidered if local authorities fail to put proper protections in place.
