Griffen Thorne’s Post

"A bill that would allow #Amsterdam-style #cannabiscafes in #California passed the state Assembly on Monday after a third reading with a 56-6 vote. The bill, formally known as #AssemblyBill1775, would give local #jurisdictions the authority to allow #cannabisclubs to make and sell non-cannabis food and nonalcoholic drinks. The bill states that food and drinks will be stored and displayed away from cannabis products. The proposed #legislation would also enable cannabis cafes to host live musical or other performances and add states that Under current state law, customers can consume cannabis at a #dispensary, but dispensaries can’t legally sell non-cannabis products like food and coffee, which is legal to do in Amsterdam. This isn’t the first time a bill related to #cannabiscafes has reached Sacramento. Last October, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill, citing the state’s long-standing smoke-free protection for workers. However, this time around, Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who introduced the bill in January, says the legislation Is all about fairness. Haney argues that cafes would be on a level playing field “for the highly taxed and regulated legal cannabis industry that is being forced to compete in California with a thriving cannabis black market.”  “It’s really about fairness and supporting businesses that follow the rules,” Haney said in a statement. “If we keep allowing unnecessary regulations to strangle California’s legal cannabis businesses, we’re just encouraging illegal drug sales and all of the problems that come with that.” AB 1775 is now headed to the state #Senate. It would need a signature from Newsom to be officially law." - KTLA

Asm. Matt Haney's AB 1775, which would legalize cannabis cafes in the state of California, has passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate. The bill would allow cannabis dispensaries to sell non-infused drinks and foods, while also providing a space for socialization, entertainment, and cannabis consumption. Asm. Haney says the bill would support local businesses and the economy in a multitude of ways. "We have downtown commercial districts that are struggling, we have a tourism industry that needs to come back post-pandemic. This is something that could draw people out, that can bring people to California, create jobs and revenue, that can support this legal industry and allow it to offer something that can compete with the illegal illicit market," said Asm. Haney. Read the full story in the link below. https://bit.ly/3XkxDkl

A California Senate panel has approved a bill to legalize cannabis cafes, opening new opportunities for the cannabis industry. 🌿 This legislation, championed by Assemblymember Matt Haney, aims to allow on-site marijuana consumption at licensed businesses that could also serve food, non-alcoholic drinks, and host live events with local government approval. The move comes as a response to the industry's struggles with oversaturation, high taxes, and competition from the black market. By diversifying their offerings, cannabis retailers can boost revenue and enhance the customer experience. With places like West Hollywood already home to cannabis consumption lounges, this bill could significantly shape the future landscape of cannabis cafes in California. #CannabisIndustry #Legislation #California #WestHollywood #BusinessInnovation #CannabisCafes #MarijuanaMovement #TheHigherPath #ConsumptionLounge

From Buds to Bites: California Legalizes Cannabis Cafés California's cannabis microbusinesses and retailers are optimistic about a new state law that significantly expands their ability to serve food, drinks, and live music, aiming to drive growth and set a precedent for other regulated markets. The Artist Tree, a marijuana retailer near Los Angeles International Airport, has designed its latest store with kitchen space in anticipation of this long-awaited policy change. Other retailers, such as Sacramento-based Perfect Union, are exploring how to expand their offerings beyond traditional cannabis sales in light of the new law. "This legislation opens the door to a future where cannabis isn’t something to be hidden or restricted but celebrated alongside art, music, and food," said Angelica Sanchez, senior director of government affairs and compliance at Perfect Union, which operates nine stores mainly in Northern California. The law comes shortly after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill allowing small farmers to sell cannabis directly to consumers but subsequently signed a measure on September 30 to legalize cannabis cafes similar to those in the Netherlands. The new law, Assembly Bill 1775, addresses workplace concerns by mandating that employers supply masks for workers and provide guidelines regarding the risks of secondary smoke. #CaliforniaCannabis #CannabisCafes #MarijuanaRetail #CannabisCommunity #LegalizeCannabis

Theory Wellness, Rebelle and Farnsworth Fine Cannabis Company sues Great Barrington for ~$6 million, accusing local officials of improperly collecting fees from the shops for years from Host Community Agreements (HCAs). In addition to a 3% sales tax, municipalities can charge the companies another 3% of their gross sales to offset any new government spending caused by the cannabis businesses, such as traffic mitigation or expanded public safety needs. But cannabis companies say their impact on the wider community is the same as any other business. Rather than addressing specific community impacts tied to marijuana sales, as state law requires, companies have complained the fees often go toward common municipal expenses. Some municipalities, including Boston and Northampton, have decided to stop collecting community impact payments altogether. In 2022, Boston refunded $2.86 million to nine companies it drew fees from. Explaining his decision to drop the impact fees in 2021, Northampton’s then-Mayor David Narkiewicz explained: “We haven’t seen the kinds of impacts that I know opponents of legalization were concerned about.” https://lnkd.in/e_tijkVX

If signed by the governor, AB 1775 would allow food and nonalcoholic beverages to be sold at sites where cannabis is sold / consumed, and would allow locations to sell tickets to events held there. In CA, 15% cannabis tax rate on top of a typical 10% local tax rate makes it difficult for legal retailers to compete with the illicit market and results in tight margins for a majority of operators-if this is passed, it should create opportunity for operators to implement two or three new revenue streams.  What're your thoughts? Source: https://lnkd.in/gv_-3Jbu

There are a host of problems within the California cannabis industry. We have to fix them all. The regulators complicated the regulations and imposed a % tax that is grossly unfair. Here are just a few regulations that I personally dislike the most: 1) They required all retail stores without a distro license to only accept packaged product. What happened to going straight to stores with bulk product? One can do this all day long in Colorado. 2) They did not provide a license type for brokers when the function is needed and is very useful for some distributors that don’t have the connections. 3) They differentiated between an R&D and a COA. There should only be one test required. 4) The barriers to entry to are very high, costly (especially for retail). How many average people can open a cannabis retail store as easily as they can open up a tobacco smoke shop? 5) The tax is about 30% out the door for the retail consumer. Therefore, if they shop for product worth $100 (before tax), they are walking out paying $130. There are obviously others too that don’t make sense. We need to get this shit sorted out soon (for the benefit of the licensees and consumers).

🌟 A NEW HOPE for California's #battered Cannabis Industry 🌟 #TODAY Governor Gavin Newsom has signed #AB1775 into law, officially legalizing Cannabis consumption lounges across the state. This is a #small step for Cannabis, but a giant #leap for California's Cannabis industry, offering regulated spaces for social #consumption while providing a much-needed boost to the legal market. We're talking real consumption lounges, with all the bells & whistles of hospitality...not just a #smoking room stuck on to a dispensary. Dispensary group, Urbana, in San Francisco & Oakland, have been at the forefront of this change, for years. At a time when the Cannabis industry is facing #economic strain and competition from the illicit market, these lounges offer new #opportunities for businesses to thrive (see article below). Read on below how Cannabis #ConsumptionLounges in America are here to stay, and—if done well, can create safe, community-focused environments that can only help shift consumers away from unregulated options, offering a #freshstart for California #Cannabis

A Week of Wins & Losses for California's Cannabis Industry. Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have allowed sales farmers markets, dashing hopes for small growers to sell directly to consumers. This decision highlights the ongoing challenges small businesses face in navigating California's complex cannabis regulations. However, it's not all bad news! Newsom signed a separate measure to legalize cannabis cafes, similar to those in the Netherlands. Starting January 1, consumers will be able to enjoy cannabis in social settings, such as cafes where they can sip coffee, eat, and listen to music. As Assembly Member Matt Haney stated: "Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others, and there's no doubt that cannabis cafes will bring massive economic, cultural, and creative opportunities to our state." With local approvals still pending, this new law could reshape how consumers experience cannabis in California. What impact do you think these cafes will have on the industry? https://lnkd.in/gS9yyqUy #CannabisIndustry #CaliforniaCannabis #CannabisCafes #SmallBusiness #Regulation #EconomicGrowth #CannabisPolicy