By City Posts Draft Cannabis Cafe Rules
San Francisco officials are seeking public input on newly released draft rules for cannabis cafes. On Friday, the city’s Office of Cannabis posted proposed regulations for how those cafes will operate.
The draft rules cover operations plans, employee training, security, deliveries, inventory control and access for medical cannabis patients. Public feedback is being accepted through September 25.
In July, the city’s Board of Supervisors and mayor approved an ordinance letting marijuana dispensaries serve food and drinks inside their on-site consumption areas. The new draft regulations spell out how that policy would work in practice.
Written comments can be emailed to the Office of Cannabis or sent via mail or in person to 49 South Van Ness, Suite 660, San Francisco, CA 94103. City officials also posted a bulletin, an FAQ and resources for businesses to check their eligibility.
Officials separately released proposed rule changes to incorporate cannabis cafes into the existing Good Neighbor Policy for marijuana businesses.
Permits And Operating Requirements
Under the proposal, a business would need a new Cannabis Café Permit as well as a Cannabis Consumption Permit. Businesses would also need written procedures “designed to discourage customers from removing cannabis products intended for on-site consumption from the designated consumption area.”
There would be restrictions on cafe names. Names that would “mislead members of the public into believing cannabis products may legally be sold to persons under 21 years of age” would be barred.
Names that would entice minors to attempt to patronize the businesses would also be prohibited. Dispensaries would need to maintain accommodations for medical cannabis patients.
Those accommodations may include an area where patients can communicate confidentially with employees. Dispensaries would also need to maintain an adequate supply of medical marijuana products.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1775, which took effect last January.
State Law Sets The Framework
AB 1775 allows marijuana businesses to offer non-cannabis food and non-alcoholic beverages and host live events such as concerts in on-site consumption areas with local government permission.
Newsom had vetoed a prior version of the bill, saying he was “concerned this bill could undermine California’s long-standing smoke-free workplace protections.” The enacted measure creates separation between public consumption spaces and back rooms where food is prepared or stored.
The law makes clear that hemp-based food items or drinks are not considered “non-cannabis” products that could be sold at the cafes. Non-cannabis items “shall be stored and displayed separately and distinctly from all cannabis and cannabis products present on the premises.”
It has taken months for San Francisco and other cities to begin enacting local ordinances laying out operating rules. Actor Woody Harrelson, who owns the West Hollywood lounge The Woods with co-founders Bill Maher and John McEnroe, had called for the law’s enactment, as did Whoopi Goldberg.
