California Assembly passed a bill legalizing marijuana cafes. Dispensaries can offer non-cannabis foods and drinks if local approval is received.
The bill from Assemblymember Matt Haney, a Democrat, was approved by the Senate on Wednesday with 59-9 votes.
Haney stated on the floor that “the legal cannabis industry is in trouble.” Haney said that issues like oversaturation, tax hikes and the thriving black-market are hurting cannabis companies who pay taxes and follow the rules.
The Cannabis Cafe Bill has just been passed by the Assembly with bipartisan support.
California’s small marijuana businesses are struggling. Cannabis businesses that follow the rules and pay tax are being hurt by issues like oversaturation, taxes and the black market.
In… pic.twitter.com/zH1pc15mwF
— Matt Haney (@MattHaneySF) May 31, 2023
He said that “AB 374 permits local governments to authorise the preparation and sales of non-cannabis food and soft drinks in licensed cannabis consumption lounges.” To be clear, this does not permit coffee shops to sale cannabis. Cannabis shops can sell coffee if local governments have approved it.
The assemblymember stated that it shouldn’t be against the law for a cannabis business to expand beyond just selling marijuana, and to create jobs through the sale of coffee or jazz.
Smoking tobacco and the sale of alcohol beverages in cannabis cafes will continue to be banned.
The legislation also explicitly allows “live musical performances or other performances at the premises of retailers or microbusinesses licensed under this division, in areas where cannabis consumption is permitted, as well as the sale of tickets to those performances.”
The bill allows retailers and microbusinesses to sell freshly prepared food and beverages, but limits the sale of prepackaged foods to retailers. This is in line with the regulations adopted by the Department of Cannabis Control of the state late last year.
California businesses have used workarounds that allow on-site food consumption, while still providing it to guests. But they have operated in a gray area by partnering with restaurants that are separately licensed and receive the profits.
Haney stated that the current law requires cannabis shops to sell only drugs. “We think that these businesses should be allowed to sell coffee and muffins if they want to change their model. This will help our small businesses and give local governments autonomy.”
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
The state Senate passed a bill on Tuesday which would prevent employers from asking applicants for jobs about previous marijuana use. This bill now goes to the Assembly.
This would be a continuation of , which protects employees from being penalized for using cannabis as prescribed by state law.
California officials announced last week that they had awarded more than 50 million dollars in marijuana taxes-funded grants to community reinvestment.
DCC also recently awarded nearly 20 million dollars in grants funded by marijuana taxes to 16 academic institutions for the study of cannabis, including novel cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, and the genetics “legacy strains” from the state.
California Senate passes bill to stop employers from asking about past marijuana use
The article California Assembly approves bill to legalize marijuana cafes first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
