UPDATE 10/8/24: There’s been much enthusiasm on social media, etc. about the new law, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. It’s a good time for supporters to join Cal NORML and get involved with local NORML chapters to ensure that local governments will allow cannabis lounges. Cal NORML has been tracking cannabis lounges and hopes to see more open. Also see our Local Activist Toolkit.
In a strong showing of support for the California cannabis industry and legal consumers, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law the cannabis café bill AB 1775 (Haney), to allow licensed cannabis lounges to sell non-alcoholic food and drinks, as well as tickets to onsite concerts, with local government approval.
“We thank Governor Newsom for this much-needed support of social use by California’s cannabis consumers, as well as supporting the state’s cannabis industry in this way,” said Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” said the bill’s author Asm. Matt Haney, Chair of the Select Committee on Downtown Recovery. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music. 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.”
A previous version of the bill, AB 374, was vetoed last year by Governor Newsom, who urged in his veto message to reintroduce the bill to include more protections for cannabis workers. This year, Assemblymember Haney reintroduced the bill with the support of the United Commercial and Food Workers to ensure cannabis lounge workers are protected from secondhand smoke impacts at work. The Governor’ signing statement on AB 1775 contained some cautionary words to local governments about making sure workers are protected.
Cal NORML sponsored this year’s cannabis café bill, and supporters sent in over 700 letters of support for AB 1775 to their lawmakers, half of them to the Governor. Thanks to all who took action!
The bill also had some Hollywood star-power support from cannabis entrepreneurs Woody Harrelson and Whoopi Goldberg, both of whom recorded videos asking Newsom to sign it. Also joining the call to sign AB 1775 was comedian and cannabis activist Bill Maher.
Bullet points / Background:
• Cannabis consumers and tourists in California have limited places where they can socialize legally. Consumption is currently restricted to licensed cannabis lounges, which can’t serve coffee or fresh food, or provide entertainment. As we all learned during COVID, the lack of socialization can have serious health consequences.
• AB 1775 does not allow coffee shops or restaurants to sell cannabis; instead, licensed retailers that operate cannabis lounges would be allowed to sell non-alcoholic drinks and food. Giving this industry the chance to grow will create jobs and help their cities and communities thrive, and in turn will benefit the medical patients and consumers who rely on industry products for pain and symptom management, or for recreation.
• Local nuisance ordinances governing cannabis lounges have properly restricted odors from other spaces, and AB 1775 was amended to require food preparation and smoking areas to be separated, in order to answer worker-safety objections raised by the governor when he vetoed a similar bill last year.
• According to an MPP overview of the 12 states that allow cannabis consumption lounges, 6 states allow food and beverage service.
Watch a press conference held on 9/6 at The Woods in West Hollywood with Asm. Haney, West Hollywood mayor John Erickson, vice mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, Ian Rassman of LA NORML, and a representative from The Woods.
