Officials in West Hollywood, California have unanimously approved plans by Lowell Farms for a cannabis café, NBC Los Angeles reports. The café will allow cannabis to be consumed on the premises – including smoking – and will serve food.
In order to net the approval, the business operators promised that they would install an air filtration system like those used by casinos. Alcohol will not be allowed in the café as the law approved by voters in 2016 prohibits cannabis and alcohol consumption at the same site.
Initially, the café’s menu will not include THC or CBD-infused food, co-owner Sean Black told the Hollywood Reporter.
“We’re trying to be conservative in our interpretation of the laws; we’re waiting for the state and county to update their laws and work out the nuances for licensing, before we infuse food live on premises.” – Black, to the Reporter
Lowell is the first California cannabis business to receive a license for social consumption. The city announced last year that they would make just eight social use licenses available and more than 300 businesses applied.
West Hollywood is the first California municipality to offer social-use licenses. Officials in San Diego, California are considering allowing cannabis consumption lounges, but have not yet approved the plan.
In March, regulators in Alaska signed off on social-use rules becoming the first state to allow on-site consumption. Voters in Denver, Colorado approved a ballot initiative for social consumption in 2016.
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End