San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has signed legislation establishing a legal framework for cannabis cafés, allowing qualified marijuana businesses to offer on-site consumption alongside food, nonalcoholic beverages and live entertainment.
The ordinance was approved 7–4 by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before being signed by Lurie on July 23. It is scheduled to take effect August 23, although businesses will still need to obtain required permits and pass inspections before opening.
Under the law, cannabis cafés will be allowed to sell marijuana and marijuana products exclusively for consumption on the premises. Products purchased from a café cannot be taken off-site, and cafés will not be allowed to deliver marijuana to customers.
Businesses may prepare and sell food and nonalcoholic drinks in compliance with state and local health regulations. They may also host live performances and sell tickets to events. Alcohol and tobacco sales and consumption will remain prohibited.
Entry to consumption areas will generally be limited to adults 21 and older, with businesses required to maintain electronic age-verification equipment.
Applicants will need a cannabis café permit from the San Francisco Office of Cannabis, along with applicable health, zoning, building, fire and entertainment approvals. The permit includes a $2,000 nonrefundable application fee and a $3,000 first-year licensing fee, followed by a $5,000 annual fee.
For the first year, permits will generally be limited to existing San Francisco storefront marijuana retailers or businesses under the same ownership.
Public-health organizations opposed the ordinance over concerns about employee exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke. Four supervisors voted against the proposal.
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