Despite concerns about the health risks of second-hand smoke, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday that allows cannabis dispensaries to serve hot food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Assembly Bill 1775, which goes into effect on January 1, would require California cities to allow pharmacies to prepare and serve hot food and non-alcoholic beverages on-site, and to host live performances such as concerts and comedy shows. It gives you the option of allowing yourself to do so.
Some pharmacies in the Golden State already allow customers to smoke, vape and sample food, but they can only sell prepackaged snacks and drinks.
Supporters argue that a more comfortable recreational cannabis culture would revitalize California's nightlife and lead to higher profits for the state's heavily taxed and highly regulated legal cannabis dispensaries, which compete with black market sellers. are.
“Cannabis cafes are a big part of the future of cannabis in our state and will help fight off the illegal drug market,” said Rep. Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who authored the bill.
The “cannabis cafe” model has been compared to Amsterdam, where consumption of cannabis in coffee shops has been legal since the 1970s.
The bill had the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which organizes workers at dozens of California dispensaries and cultivation facilities.
Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year over concerns that food workers and customers could be exposed to second-hand smoke and pose health risks.
The American Cancer Society and other public health groups say second-hand marijuana smoke has higher particle levels than cigarette smoke and can cause health problems such as cardiovascular disease, lung inflammation and asthma attacks. , urging Newsom to veto this year's bill.
Jim Knox, California managing director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the new law undermines the state's decades-long efforts to make workplaces smoke-free and undermines the state's cultural shift away from indoor smoking. He said it could be a hindrance.
Knox said that if the law goes into effect, Californians “will be able to smoke in restaurants for the first time in 30 years.” That’s a big setback.”
The group said it will continue to urge local cities to “resist efforts that undermine the history of smoke-free restaurants and roll back important public health protections.”
The bill signed Monday states that if the city chooses to impose ventilation standards as a condition of the permit, the system will “prevent smoke and odors from entering other parts of the building where consumption lounges and other facilities are located.” It must be strong enough to prevent migration.” Neighboring buildings or grounds. ”
The bill also makes clear that cannabis cafe employees have the right to wear masks at their employer's expense. Employers will also be required to include second-hand smoke in their injury and illness prevention plans required by California labor law.
Mr Knox said the measures were “nonsense” and “whitewashing” and “simply underlined the public health risks”.
“The science and industry knowledge is well established that you can't isolate smoke; that's not possible,” Knox said. “The only way to prevent smoke from moving is to ban smoking.”
In his signature message, Newsom wrote that any future legislation that departs from the bill's “tailored approach” to protecting workers from second-hand smoke “will not be viewed favorably.”
Newsom wrote that it will be “important” for local governments to prioritize worker safety and work to minimize public safety risks. If they don't, “this limited expansion may need to be reconsidered,” he said.
