California Governor Vetoes Cannabis Cafe Bill
Assembly Bill 374 aimed to legitimize venues similar to Amsterdam’s famous lounges
Governor Gavin Newsom has turned down a bill that would have approved cannabis-oriented cafes. Assembly Bill 374 aimed to legitimize venues similar to Amsterdam’s famous lounges, where guests could buy cannabis in addition to food and drink.
Presently, some venues offer such services but wade through legal ambiguities by having another separate business provide the food and drinks to their patrons.
Newsom, in explaining his veto decision, acknowledged the efforts to boost the cannabis industry and cater to newer clientele.
Yet, he voiced concerns about potentially compromising California’s strict anti-smoking work environment policies. “Employee health and safety stand paramount,” he stated. “I hope the drafters of the bill will address these issues in their upcoming endeavors.”
Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), responding to the news, expressed his disappointment with four sad emojis on X, the platform once known as Twitter.
