If you’re one of the millions of Californians who use cannabis recreationally, you might have been frustrated to find you can’t enjoy your legal weed with a cup of coffee or afternoon snack. While some spaces allow customers to spark up in a lounge-like setting, it’s currently illegal for California cannabis dispensaries to sell you a cup of coffee, or weed-free food.
A new bill, authored by State Assemblyman Matt Haney, would allow current cannabis dispensaries to convert their businesses to mixed-use cafes.
If approved by Governor Gavin Newsom, Californians will soon be able to enjoy their legal weed onsite, with non-cannabis food and drinks. Cannabis cafe operators will be able to host and sell tickets to live music events, opening new avenues for increasing sales and tax revenues.
Under the bill, cannabis will not be sold or legal to consume at standard cafes. But the change will allow dispensaries to develop into more social spaces.
Speaking to the bill’s intention, Haney said “The current laws are arbitrary and irrational…and frankly harmful to this legal cannabis industry that we need to survive and thrive in our state.”
