California Gov. Signs Bill to Let Cannabis Cafes Serve Food & Host Live Music

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill on Tuesday to let cannabis cafes in California serve food and drink and host live performances, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. This comes one day after he vetoed a bill that would have allowed small cannabis growers to sell products directly to consumers.

Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D), the latest proposal addresses concerns the governor expressed last year when he vetoed the state’s previous proposal to legalize cannabis lounges. At the time, Newsom said that allowing such businesses “could undermine California’s long-standing smoke-free workplace protections” — so this year’s proposal carries requirements for participating companies to evaluate their working conditions and post appropriate warnings, and for local authorities to consider setting new ventilation and/or filtration requirements.

“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others. 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.” — Haney, via the San Francisco Chronicle

The rules will take effect starting January 1, 2025, giving jurisdictions the time to establish their own local rules for handling and/or allowing the state-legal cannabis cafes.

The bill, which was backed by the United Commercial and Food Workers union, passed the Assembly 63-5 and passed the Senate 30-7.

Previously, state law permitted on-site cannabis consumption but the businesses were not allowed to sell other types of consumables, such as infused food or beverages.