Not to fan the flames of any stoner stereotypes, but munchies are a very real thing. And if State Representative Matt Haney (D) has his way, they might finally get curbed. He wants the state’s cannabis cafe locations to serve food prepared onsite. It doesn’t seem like a particularly controversial take. In fact, his Assembly Bill 1775 just cleared California’s Assembly with a deafening 58 to 6 vote in its favor. But when you consider that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar cannabis cafe bill submitted by Haney last year, the cannabis cafe crowd may be left high and dry.
August 2024 – Update:
AB 1775 has passed its next major hurdle, making it through its second reading in the Senate. It will still need to pass a third and final reading, then pass an Assembly vote before it becomes law.
This Isn’t Really a Bill About Cannabis
In California, the term “cannabis cafe” could set you up for a bit of disappointment. Sure, they sell cannabis. You can even enjoy it onsite. But if you want food or drink, you’ll only find prepackaged options on the menu. And before November 2022, the law didn’t permit food or drink in California cannabis cafes at all. Haney wants to change all that with his latest attempt at a cannabis cafe bill that would put fresh food and beverages on California cannabis cafe menus for the first time.
AB 1775 can be a bit confusing at a glance. It’s easy to assume that it’s a bill that would make it easier for cannabis cafe locations to open up all across California. After all, what’s so controversial about a cannabis cafe serving food prepared onsite? Yet, that’s what’s at stake, bizarrely enough.
The Amsterdam Cannabis Cafe Experience
Haney found inspiration in the world-renowned cannabis cafes of Amsterdam that offer a much more well-rounded experience than simply a place to get stoned with other people. Netherland cannabis cafes serve hot coffee, a variety of fresh foods, and sometimes even offer live music. There’s a communal spirit that California’s cannabis cafes struggle to capture. Haney believes AB 1775 will foster that spirit while diversifying the income streams for California businesses.
And that last point is a particularly important one. In a time of economic uncertainty, cannabis continues to bring much-needed tax dollars to the state. But it’s a far-from-perfect system that has allowed a black market to not just survive but thrive alongside floundering legalization efforts. Many potential customers balk at California’s tax on cannabis, preferring to take their chances with the black market. AB 1775 would allow legitimate cannabis cafe establishments to compete by offering a communal space for safe consumption, aided by the additional draw of fresh non-cannabis food and beverage selections.
Currently, West Hollywood holds the scant few cannabis cafe locations in LA. This distribution hinges on local approval as opposed to federal law. Some of these establishments have circumvented the standing law by ordering fresh food from neighboring restaurants so that the food isn’t prepared onsite. But the passage of AB 1775 would bring these cafes greater freedom to explore different menu options and compete more creatively for customer loyalty.
The Future of Cannabis Cafes in California
Some have expressed concerns about the advancement of AB 1775, yet it highlights hypocrisy in the face of establishments that serve food and alcohol. While championing the bill, Haney noted that there is no solid reason from “an economic, health, or safety standpoint” that lawmakers should prevent cannabis cafes from providing fresh food and beverages to patrons.
The bill is now on its way to the Senate. Assuming it clears that hurdle, it will face Newsom’s desk where it died last year. However, Haney assures supporters that the governor has indicated that “there’s a path forward” for the revised bill. Not exactly a sterling endorsement, but with the economic strain and the support of the people behind it, it might be enough.
