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420 FILE - On Friday, September 6, Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-SF) will lead a press conference in West Hollywood to discuss AB 1775, the Cannabis Café Bill, which he authored, and which is sponsored by Cal NORML. The event will take place at The Woods on Santa Monica Boulevard, with appearances by West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson, Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, and representatives from LA NORML and The Woods. The public is urged to attend.
AB 1775, which has passed the California Legislature and now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature, aims to allow local governments to permit the sale of food and beverages at licensed cannabis consumption lounges. Under current California law, cannabis lounges are restricted to offering pre-packaged items, but this bill would allow freshly prepared food and beverages to be served, mirroring the experience offered at bars and wineries).
The Impact of AB 1775 on Cannabis Hospitality
Supporters of the bill argue that allowing food and drink service in cannabis lounges would boost the legal cannabis industry and provide a safe and social environment for consumers, especially in cities like West Hollywood and San Francisco, where consumption lounges have become increasingly popular. Cal NORML Director Dale Gieringer expressed that the bill would strengthen the cannabis community and provide much-needed social spaces for consumers).
California made international news this summer when it opened up its State Fair in Sacramento to cannabis sales and consumption for the first time. By all measures, the move was a great success: more than 100,000 people visited the 21-and-over cannabis exhibit, and overall attendance and food and beverage sales at Fair improved over 2023 figures, despite many days of triple-digit temperatures in Sacramento.
“The success at the State Fair demonstrates very well that California is ready for more cannabis consumption spaces, and that they can be run safely and profitably, especially if the venue can serve food and drink,” said Cal NORML deputy director Ellen Komp.
Changes Address Concerns Over Worker Safety
A similar bill was vetoed by Governor Newsom in 2023 due to concerns raised by anti-tobacco groups about second-hand smoke exposure for workers. To address these concerns, the new version of AB 1775 includes amendments developed in collaboration with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), aiming to minimize smoke exposure in areas where food is prepared or served).
California’s Growing Demand for Cannabis Spaces
Cannabis consumption spaces are still limited in California, despite the state's legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2016 under Proposition 64. Consumption is prohibited in public areas and many rental units, leaving few places for consumers to legally enjoy cannabis. AB 1775 would offer consumers—especially medical marijuana patients and tourists—more opportunities to socialize in a safe, regulated environment).
Public Support and Broader Impact
The press conference on September 6 aims to rally public support for the bill, with Assemblymember Haney and others urging Californians to contact the Governor to sign AB 1775 into law. If successful, the bill could make California a leader in cannabis hospitality, setting a precedent for other states looking to establish similar spaces.
(Jim Hampton is the Publisher and Editor of CityWatchLA.com.)
