California legislation that “would add acting as a cannabis caterer for a private event to the definition of commercial cannabis activity” has been passed by two Assembly committees.
(Photo credit: New Food Magazine)
Filed by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Assembly Bill 471 was passed late last month by the Committee on Business and Professions Committee by a vote of 14 to 3. Yesterday the measure was passed through the Committee on Governmental Organization, with members voting 17 to 4 in favor.
Assembly Bill 471 has now been sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with passage in that committee allowing it to be debated on the Assembly floor.
“This bill would authorize the department to issue a state caterer license authorizing the licensee to serve cannabis or cannabis products at a private event approved by a local jurisdiction for the purpose of allowing event attendees 21 years of age or older to consume the cannabis or cannabis products that is not hosted, sponsored, or advertised by the caterer”, states the bill’s official summary.
“Under the bill, consumption of alcohol or tobacco would be authorized on the premises of that event, as specified. The bill would prohibit a caterer licensee from serving cannabis or cannabis products at any one premises for more than 36 events in one calendar year, except as specified, and would authorize a caterer licensee to reuse cannabis at a subsequent event, as provided.”
The legislation would not supersede or limit the authority of a local jurisdiction “to adopt and enforce local ordinances to regulate commercial cannabis businesses within that local jurisdiction.”
The law “authorizes the department to issue a state temporary event license to a licensee authorizing onsite cannabis sales and consumption at a county fair event, district agricultural association event, or at another venue expressly approved by a local jurisdiction if, among other requirements, (1) access to the area where cannabis consumption is allowed is restricted to persons 21 years of age or older; (2) cannabis consumption is not visible from any public place or nonage-restricted area; and (3) sale or consumption of alcohol or tobacco is not allowed on the premises.”
The full text can be found by clicking here.
