Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson urge Newsom to legalize ‘cannabis cafes’

( KRON ) — Hollywood actors with stocks in the cannabis industry are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to legalize the “cannabis cafe” bill.

This bill would allow licensed cannabis retailers to sell products other than marijuana — such as snacks and beverages — in hopes of boosting more diverse forms of revenue.

“It’s been tough because we’re always competing against the illegal markets who don’t contribute anything to the economy,” Goldberg said in a recorded video . “California should lead on this because everybody else is trying to figure out what to do, and they’re following your lead.”

In a press conference on September 6, San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney — author of the bill — joined Woody Harrelson at The Wood, the acclaimed actor’s cannabis lounge in Los Angeles. During his visit, Haney addressed the state’s restrictions on cannabis lounges.

“There are cannabis lounges that exist all over the state, and right now, they’re being prohibited in an arbitrary, misguided way from being able to serve any food or non-alcoholic beverages,” said Haney. “And because of that, they’re prohibited from diversifying their business.”

Haney believes “many people” are in a situation where they want to enjoy legal cannabis while in the company of others who do not smoke or consume marijuana. He argues that there is no current destination that accommodates both needs.

“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,” he added.

Newsom vetoed a previous version of this bill last year. Instead of passing it, he urged legislators to reintroduce it “to include more protections for cannabis workers.”

This year, Haney says he reintroduced the bill with support from with support from the United Commercial and Food Workers “to ensure cannabis lounge workers are protected from secondhand smoke impacts at work.” The bill will now be passed upon Newsom’s signature approval.

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