A bill in California has been approved by the state’s lower house which permits cannabis dispensaries to function like the popular cafés in Amsterdam. This new legislation allows these dispensaries to sell food and drinks alongside cannabis products.
“Existing dispensaries will be able to allow indoor smoking,” explained Assemblymember Matt Haney in an interview with Fox KTVU in Oakland. “Currently, these dispensaries are restricted to selling cannabis-only products, missing a significant opportunity to offer items like coffee and snacks.”
This proposal represents a renewed effort by Assemblymember Haney, following a veto of a previous version by Governor Gavin Newsom due to concerns about second-hand smoke. This iteration includes amendments aimed at addressing these concerns, and it is now progressing through the legislative process towards a possible approval by the Governor.
California, home to the most cannabis dispensaries in the U.S., has been a pioneer in cannabis legalization. Recreational marijuana use has been lawful in the state since November 2016.
What is — and isn’t — allowed in California’s proposed cannabis cafés?
The revised bill imposes stricter controls on the operation of food services within cannabis cafes, including separate areas for food and cannabis products to prevent contamination and restrictions on smoking in food-related areas.
The regulations for dispensaries will largely remain unchanged. However, these cafes will combine food service with cannabis sales under the same roof, maintaining age restrictions and prohibiting the visibility of cannabis consumption from public spaces.
The concept of a cannabis-friendly café is not new in California, particularly in West Hollywood where a cannabis lounge program was initiated in 2018. This allowed for the creation of the first such café in the U.S., where customers can enjoy a variety of food and cannabis products.
Despite challenges such as permit issuance and workplace safety, the bill has gained bipartisan support and aims to strengthen California’s legal cannabis market against the prevailing illegal market.
The state hopes that these cafes will attract both locals and tourists, enhancing the viability of legal dispensaries.
“California is already a destination for its wines, and we believe it can become a go-to place for cannabis enthusiasts as well,” said Haney.
As countries like Thailand and South Africa start to liberalize their cannabis policies to attract tourists, California’s initiative could shift attention from traditional destinations like the Netherlands, which has recently tightened its cannabis policies.
PREVIOUSLY: California Governor Rejects Cannabis Cafes Bill
