California May Soon Allow Cannabis Cafes Where Patrons Can Smoke and Dine
California may soon join the ranks of Amsterdam and other cities that allow cannabis consumption in designated cafes. A bill approved by the state legislature would permit cities to issue licenses for “cannabis cafes” where customers can smoke, vape, and sample edibles while enjoying food and non-alcoholic beverages. The cafes could also host live music and other performances.
Currently, some dispensaries in California offer “consumption lounges” where customers can vape, smoke, and sample edibles, but they are not allowed to sell food or drinks. The new bill would give cities the freedom to create a more relaxed recreational cannabis culture, which could boost the state’s legal cannabis industry.
Proponents of the bill argue that it would help legal cannabis businesses compete with the black market and create a more comfortable and social atmosphere for customers. Assemblymember Matt Haney, who authored the bill, believes that allowing cannabis cafes would support legal businesses and provide a new revenue stream.
However, the bill is opposed by public health groups, who argue that secondhand marijuana smoke can cause health issues such as cardiovascular disease, lung irritation, and asthma attacks. They are concerned that the bill does not do enough to address these issues, such as requiring ventilation systems to prevent smoke from migrating to other parts of the building or neighboring areas.
The bill has already cleared the Assembly with a 63-5 vote and is awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature. If signed, it would allow cities to create their own regulations for cannabis cafes, which could include requirements for ventilation systems, employee protections, and secondhand smoke mitigation.
West Hollywood has already implemented a similar licensing system, and the city has seen a handful of cannabis cafes operating in less than two square miles. The city’s officials have reported that the comfort and familiarity of smoking or vaping in a restaurant setting has helped to create a thriving cannabis industry.
If Newsom signs the bill, cities like Los Angeles and others in Southern California could create their own licensing systems for cannabis cafes. The bill is sponsored by the California Nightlife Association and California NORML, a chapter of the national organization that lobbies for changes to cannabis laws.
