Actor Woody Harrelson, the co-owner of the West Hollywood marijuana lounge The Woods, is calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1775 into law.
“We just need a little tiny crumb, and that is the ability to sell non-cannabis items in the lounge,” said Harrelson in a video posted on the Instagram of Assemblymember Matt Haney (D), the sponsor of AB 1775. “I don’t see how that hurts anybody. Let’s please make this happen.”
Harrelson continues by saying “I mean, my god, it’s not easy. We’re trying to do the right thing. I’m not a rule person. I’m actually an anarchist. I don’t even like government. But here I am trying to do the right thing, and I hope that Newsom will also do the right thing.”
Harrelson co-owns The Woods with comedian Bill Maher, tennis legend John McEnroe, ERBA co-founders Devon Wheeler and Jay Handal,interior designer Thomas Schoos, and Schoos Design CEO Michael Berman. Harrelson says the state’s marijuana regulations are “crippling our industry.”
“[Newsom] can become a man of the people and do the right thing here”, said Harrelson.
Assembly Bill 1775, approved by the Assembly 58 to 6 and by the Senate 30 to 7, 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.
The measure has officially reached the desk of Governor Newsom, who has until September 30 to decide whether to sign it into law, or veto it. If Newsom takes no action by October 1, the proposal will take effect by default.
Last year Governor Newsom vetoed a similar bill. However, 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.
