Mark Collins MBA’s Post

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

Newsom just signed and vetoed a bunch of cannabis bills. Here are a few: 1 - AB-1775 (signed) will allow licensed consumption lounges to sell non-alcoholic beverages and food, as well as tickets for live events. This will be a big change for consumption lounges, though to be fair there are not many in California and cities will also have to authorize them. 2 - SB-1059 (signed) will stop cities from including excise tax and sales and use tax in their definitions of "gross receipts" for purposes of taxing retailers. This should give retailers a much needed break - albeit not nearly enough - on local taxation. 3 - AB-1111 (vetoed) would have allowed certain small cultivators to obtain "small producer event sales licenses" to sell cannabis at certain licensed events. It really makes little sense why this was vetoed, as the pool for sales would have been definitionally very small. This certainly isn't exclusive of all the cannabis bills Newsom signed or passed this week, but these are some of the bigger highlights.

🚨 New Blog Alert! 🚨 California’s Cannabis Dispensaries Are Evolving in 2024! Starting in 2024, a new law will allow cannabis dispensaries to serve hot food, drinks, and host live shows like concerts and comedy! 🎤🍽️ But what does this mean for public health? 🤔 Read more about this exciting shift in our latest blog 👉 https://rebrand.ly/hcu9pus #thedsgway #CannabisCulture #NewLaw2024 #CannabisInnovation #SmokeFreeDebate

🚨 New Blog Alert! 🚨 #TheDSGWay #CannabisCulture #CaliforniaCannabis #NewLaw2024 #PublicHealthConcerns 🌟 Did you know that California's cannabis dispensaries are about to transform in a big way? 🤔 Starting in 2024, a new law will allow licensed dispensaries to serve hot food, nonalcoholic drinks, and even host live performances like concerts and comedy shows. 🎤🍽️ This is an exciting new era for the cannabis industry, offering a more immersive and social experience! 💼🎶 But what does it mean for public health and social spaces? 🤔 In our latest blog, “California’s New Cannabis Law: What’s Next for Dispensaries in 2024?” we dive into the exciting possibilities and potential concerns of this shift. 🍃✨ Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll discover: 🌮 Hot Food & Drinks on the Menu – Dispensaries will now be able to serve freshly prepared meals and drinks, creating a café-like vibe in cannabis spaces. 🍲☕ 🎭 Live Entertainment – Imagine concerts and comedy shows in your local cannabis lounge! This law could turn dispensaries into entertainment hubs, revolutionizing cannabis culture. 🎤🎶 🌱 Clear Guidelines for Cannabis Lounges – This law provides clarity for cannabis cafes, setting the stage for a regulated and enjoyable environment where consumers can socialize without the regulatory gray areas. ✅🔍 ⚠️ Public Health Concerns – Not everyone is on board. Public health advocates have raised concerns about secondhand cannabis smoke and its potential effects on indoor spaces, reigniting debates about smoke-free environments. 🚭🤔 ✨This new law is poised to reshape how Californians experience cannabis, blending consumption with social activities. Will this redefine the future of cannabis culture or spark new public health challenges? 🧐 Let us know your thoughts! 🚀 Ready to learn more? Read the full blog here 👉 🌐 https://rebrand.ly/hcu9pus #CannabisInnovation #SmokeFreeDebate #EntertainmentSpaces #FoodAndCannabis #CaliforniaLife #DefinitiveSafetyGroup

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

🌿 Addressing Ontario's Unlicensed Cannabis Stores: A Call for Cohesion 🌿 At Spiritleaf Scarborough, we are closely monitoring Ontario's latest efforts to tighten regulations around the growing number of unlicensed cannabis stores. With $31 million earmarked for enforcement, the province is stepping up to safeguard the integrity of our industry and ensure consumer safety. This push highlights the need for more synchronized efforts between local and provincial authorities to maintain a fair and regulated marketplace. As part of the Ontario cannabis community, it’s essential we stay proactive and involved in shaping a compliant industry landscape. Explore the full discussion on Ontario's strategy here: https://lnkd.in/gJQNkZDk What are your thoughts on these developments? How do you see them impacting our industry? Share your insights below. #CannabisRegulation #OntarioCannabis #SpiritleafScarborough #CommunityEngagement

The new law in Maine, L.D. 40, is set to transform the cannabis retail experience by July, making it similar to alcohol shopping. The law, which will pass without Governor Janet Mills' signature, removes at-the-door ID checks, permits minors to enter stores with a guardian, allows for off-premises samples, and abolishes the requirement for opaque packaging. This shift aims to de-stigmatize the cannabis shopping experience, which has been marked by stringent security measures like cash payments and strict ID checks that excluded even those who forgot their IDs or had underage children with them. The new law will also reduce operational costs for businesses, streamline regulatory processes, and remove some criminal-like treatment of cannabis operators. It promises a more welcoming environment and higher business efficiency, although it faced initial resistance from state and public health officials over concerns about endorsing underage cannabis use. https://lnkd.in/gpK3bPqm

Big News for Cannabis in California! 🌿 California lawmakers have passed a bill to legalize cannabis consumption lounges across the state! This could be a major win for the cannabis industry, allowing people to enjoy legal cannabis in a social setting while sipping coffee or enjoying a meal. The bill, led by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D) and Sen. Ben Allen (D), addresses previous concerns about secondhand smoke and includes new protections to ensure the safety of workers and patrons. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, this would open the door for authorized retail stores to offer fresh food along with cannabis, further supporting small businesses and enhancing the customer experience. Several cities, including San Francisco, Oakland, Palm Springs, and West Hollywood, already allow lounges, but this bill could take the concept statewide. It’s an exciting development for the future of cannabis in California! #CannabisLounge #CannabisIndustry #legalizit #election #ganjapreneur

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

"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