People in California can openly smoking cannabis at certain restaurants, similar to the popular “cannabis cafes” in the Netherlands, starting next year. Gavin Newsom, the state’s Democratic governor, signed the legislation into law on Tuesday, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
Under the new law, certain restaurants will be allowed. to partner with licensed cannabis retailers to offer on-site food and drinks, along with live entertainment. Assembly member Matt Haney, who authored the bill, called it a victory for those who wish to enjoy cannabis socially.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” Haney a Democrat from San Francisco said. “That is now finally legal in California and there’s no doubt that cannabis cafes will bring massive economic, cultural and creative opportunities and benefits to our state.” Cannabis retailers are currently only allowed to sell pre-packaged, non-cannabis-infused food and beverages, like candy and bottled water. A law that was met with harsh criticism by those claiming that it quashed any potential for small cannabis businesses.
However, the new law — which is slated to take effect on January 1, 2025 — will allow those businesses to take their sales to the next level. In a twist, Newsom had vetoed an earlier version of the bill stating that it could “undermine California’s long-standing smoke-free workplace protections.” The brand-new version passed the Assembly with a 63-5 vote and then in the state Senate with a 30-7 vote reportedly contains an amendment that addresses Newsom’s concern.
In the newly passed version, the bill states that cafes will be required to post warnings that cannabis consumption will occur on-site and that employers will now be required to include secondhand smoke and workplace hazard evaluations. Local governments will also be required to consider the establishment’s ventilation and filtration when handing out permits.
According to Haney’s office, the bill has been backed by the United Commercial and Food Workers union. Haney also stated that the bill’s passage might help turn the tide in the battle against the roaring cannabis black market and give legal businesses an edge. The Assemblymember said that even though the legal procurement of cannabis in California had reached $4 billion in 2020, reports indicated that the illegal sales hit about $8 billion that year.
The bill might also be a huge win for Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has said that he was in support of legalizing marijuana. “As everyone knows, I was, and will be again, the most respected LAW & ORDER President in U.S. History. We will take our streets back by being tough & smart on violent, & all other types, of Crime,” Trump, 78, wrote in a Truth Social post. “In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly.”
H/T: www.themirror.com
