California legislation that would allow marijuana consumption lounges to sell freshly made food and beverages (including marijuana-infused products) and host live events, has been passed by a California Assembly committee.
California’s Assembly Committee on Business and Professions has voted 15 to 2 to pass Assembly Bill 374. Filed by Assembly Member Matt Haney, the measure has now been sent to the Committee on Governmental Organization.
Under current California law cannabis consumption lounges are not allowed to sell freshly prepared food, a rule that many call arbitrary and unnecessary. A November 2022 rules change allowed lounges to offer prepackaged food and beverages on a limited basis, but nothing freshly made or beverages ready to be consumed without opening.
Assembly Bill 374 would change this by explicitly allowing 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.
“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.
