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It’s only natural: When you smoke weed, you want to eat. A new bill would let you do both – in the same spot.
Right now, dispensaries can only sell pre-packaged food, but AB 374 would let cannabis lounges sell freshly cooked meals and soft drinks. Alcohol would still be off the table.
The bill’s author, Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), pointed to the success of the 700 or so Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes serving food and drinks in the Netherlands as the inspiration for his proposal.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” Haney said in a news release for the bill.
Now, it’s awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. The law would go into effect in January.
Hacking the system
Cannabis retailers say letting them serve food on-site would change the game and bring in more business.
“To have a space that is a viable alternative to a bar or restaurant, it’s really crucial that you can serve food,”