California to Open Cannabis Cafés with New Controversial Legislation Signed by Newsom

Starting January 1, 2025, licensed cannabis retailers will be permitted to sell hot food and non-alcoholic beveragesPhoto byNdispensableonUnsplash

California is set to embrace a new era in its cannabis industry, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1775 into law on Monday. This landmark legislation will allow the establishment of cannabis cafés, where patrons can enjoy food, smoke marijuana, and watch live performances, similar to the cafés currently operating in Amsterdam.

Authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), AB 1775 aims to diversify business opportunities for retailers and enhance the state's legal cannabis market. Starting January 1, 2025, licensed cannabis retailers will be permitted to sell hot food and non-alcoholic beverages, breaking the previous restrictions that limited sales to prepackaged snacks and drinks. The new law will also enable these cafés to host live events, such as concerts and performances.

Critics argue that allowing cannabis consumption in a café setting could effectively turn these venues into restaurants where smoking is permitted, potentially exposing non-smokers to secondhand smoke.