A bill to legalise cannabis cafes in California has received bipartisan support, passing in a 33-3 vote last week.
Bill AB-374 was introduced by Assembly Member Matt Haney and passed in the Assembly in June. It amends an Act in Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code relating to cannabis.
It would enable dispensaries in California to be able to sell food and non-alcoholic drinks alongside cannabis products, however, the bill must now pass over to the Governor before being made into law.
The bill states: “This bill would authorise a local jurisdiction, if specified conditions are met, to allow for the preparation or sale of non-cannabis food or beverage products, as specified, by a licensed retailer or micro-business in the area where the consumption of cannabis is allowed, to allow for the sale of prepackaged, noncannabis-infused, nonalcoholic food and beverages by a licensed retailer…”
Thank you @MattHaneySF for being the biggest champion for the legal cannabis industry. This bill sponsored by @UCBA_Network is arguably the most positively impactful bill to succeed this legislative session. Huge win for cannabis retailers statewide, proud we made it happen. https://t.co/Gl7JaHJ84O
— United Cannabis Business Association (@UCBA_Network) September 8, 2023
Additionally, it would enable the sale of tickets for live music and other performance that would be able to take place in licensed cafes or microbusinesses where cannabis consumption is allowed.
However, the provisions “do not authorize a licensed retailer or microbusiness to prepare or sell industrial hemp or products containing industrial hemp, as provided.”
The United Cannabis Business Association (UCBA) were involved in working on the bill with Haney.
Executive Director of the UCBA, Jonatan Cvetko, thanked Haney for “being a champion for the struggling industry.”
