California Now Allows Amsterdam-Style Marijuana Cafés as New Law Takes Effect

Key Points
  • Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law in September 2024, sponsored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, allowing cannabis consumption spaces in California to operate like Amsterdam-style cafés.
  • These establishments can now provide food, drink, live music, and other performances alongside cannabis consumption.
  • The law, which received strong bipartisan support in the legislature, allows local jurisdictions to opt in and customize regulations for their communities.
  • Cannabis cafés offering freshly prepared food and live entertainment are expected to boost tourism, support small businesses, and foster a more inclusive cannabis culture in the state, potentially setting a precedent for other states.

The new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in late September 2024 and sponsored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to cannabis consumption spaces, allowing them to operate more like Amsterdam-style cafés. These establishments can now provide a more vibrant, community-oriented experience by offering freshly prepared food and drink alongside live music and other performances—all within spaces where cannabis consumption is permitted.

The bill, championed by its sponsors despite a veto of a similar measure in 2023, garnered strong bipartisan support in the legislature. It passed with a 58 to 6 vote in the Assembly and a 30 to7 vote in the Senate. Proponents argued that the previous restrictions, which limited lounges to offering only prepackaged food and drinks, hindered the potential of these spaces to thrive as social and cultural hubs. By enabling local jurisdictions to opt in, the law gives cities and counties the flexibility to tailor regulations to their communities. This is expected to boost tourism and support small businesses while fostering a more inclusive cannabis culture in the state.

Cannabis cafés that integrate freshly prepared food and live entertainment are poised to reshape the cannabis consumption experience in California, setting a precedent for other states considering similar measures.

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