Assembly Bill 374 is designed to help struggling dispensaries and cannabis consumption lounges by Mona Holmes Feb 8, 2023, 2:18pm PST
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Last week, a California lawmaker introduced a bill that would allow eating food at cannabis dispensaries and enjoying live events at consumption lounges. Currently, California’s cannabis dispensaries are not allowed to sell any non-cannabis food, while consumption lounges (restaurants where cannabis can be consumed) are restricted from selling tickets for live events.
Assembly Bill 374 aims to ease these regulations by allowing local governments to manage their own rules. If passed, AB 374 could alter operations throughout the state and make it entirely possible to order a side of french fries with a pre-rolled joint at a dispensary, or enjoy a meal while watching stand-up comedy or live music at a consumption lounge.
Assemblyman Matt Haney introduced AB 374 on February 1. The San Francisco legislator says that the move is meant to support struggling legalized cannabis businesses, particularly because of the robust black market for cannabis in California. As it currently stands, many legal cannabis dispensaries are reporting underwhelming revenues, high taxes (resulting in higher-than-street prices), and even market oversaturation, which is happening in Palm Springs.