California to Allow Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafes
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill allowing marijuana dispensaries to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as host live events, in a move aimed at boosting the state’s legal cannabis industry. The bill, which was backed by celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Maher, who own marijuana businesses, is seen as a significant step forward for the industry, which has struggled to compete with illegal marijuana outlets.
Under the new law, dispensaries will be allowed to sell hot food and non-alcoholic beverages on site, as well as host live music performances and other events. The bill also requires that employees of the cafes be given information about the hazards of secondhand smoke and be permitted to wear masks.
The bill’s author, Assemblyman Matt Haney, said that the legislation was a much-needed innovation that would create jobs, increase revenue, and attract tourists to the state. “This is the future of legal cannabis consumption,” he said. “People want to consume cannabis with others. They want to be a part of the culture and community of cannabis, and California should lead on that.”
However, not everyone is supportive of the new law. Critics argue that it will make public smoking more acceptable, giving the tobacco industry an opening to make a case for its return to communal settings. Jim Knox, the California managing director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said that the changes in the bill were mere window dressing and underscored the danger of secondhand smoke.
The bill takes effect next year, giving local governments the authority to decide whether to allow cannabis cafes within their borders and to issue and require permits for them. Cannabis smoke is on the state’s list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, but research and public awareness of its effects have been limited due to its restricted status at the federal level.
Supporters of the new law say that cannabis lounges keep secondhand smoke in contained areas where customers have chosen to partake, and that the bill will allow the industry to grow and thrive. The signing of the bill was celebrated in West Hollywood, a city with a high concentration of cannabis dispensaries and lounges.
The bill’s impact is expected to be significant, with many dispensaries already planning to expand their businesses to include food and drink services. “It’s definitely groundbreaking, and it makes perfect sense,” said Jay Handal, the operating partner of The Woods WeHo, an upscale lounge that features private cabanas, a koi pond, and a garden.
