California’s Senate has now passed legislation to legalize marijuana cafés through its third and final reading, just a day after it was approved through its second reading.
Assembly Bill 1775 successfully completed its third reading in the Senate yesterday by a vote of 30 to 7. The bill had previously cleared the full Assembly in May with a 58 to 6 vote. However, due to amendments made in committee, it will return to the Assembly for one final vote of concurrence before it can be sent to Governor Newsom.
The legislation would “authorize a local jurisdiction, if specified conditions are met, to allow for the preparation or sale of noncannabis food or beverage products, as specified, by a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed, and to allow, and to sell tickets for, live musical or other performances on the premises of a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed.”
Currently, California law prohibits cannabis consumption lounges from selling freshly prepared food, a restriction many consider unnecessary. A November 2022 rule change permitted lounges to offer prepackaged food and beverages, but the sale of freshly made food or ready-to-drink beverages remains prohibited.
With the Senate’s approval, the bill will head back to the Assembly for concurrence on the Senate’s amendments. If the Assembly concurs, the measure will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom. Although Newsom vetoed a similar bill last October, Rep. Haney remains optimistic, stating that the governor has indicated “there’s a path forward” for this version of the bill to become law.
For the full text of the measure, click here.
