Legislation that would explicitly allow marijuana consumption lounges to sell freshly made food and beverages and host live events has been introduced in the California Legislature.
Assembly Bill 374 was filed by Assembly Member Matt Haney. It would allow licensed marijuana consumption sites to that sell freshly made foods and beverages and host live events such as concerts and seminars. Some are dubbing this the “cannabis café” bill, as it would introduce Amsterdam-style locations that allow for marijuana to be consumed and food and beverages to be purchased such as coffee, tea and sandwiches.
Under current California law cannabis consumption lounges are not allowed to sell freshly prepared food, a seemingly arbitrary and unnecessary rule. A November 2022 rules change allows lounges to offer prepackaged food and beverages on a limited basis, but nothing freshly made or beverages ready to be consumed without opening.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others”, says Assembly Member Haney. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music.”
Haney continues: “There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal. If an authorized cannabis retail store wants to also sell a cup of coffee and a sandwich, we should allow cities to make that possible and stop holding back these small businesses.”
The bill would not allow marijuana consumption sites to sell alcohol.
The full text of Assembly Bill 374 can be found by clicking here.
