Cannabis Cafes With Food, Drink And Marijuana Legal In CA: Reports

CALIFORNIA — A new law will allow licensed cannabis dispensaries and lounges to serve food and drinks that do not contain intoxicating substances alongside marijuana, according to reports.

The law, which was passed as Assembly Bill 1775 and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last month, goes into effect Jan. 1, Eater Los Angeles reported, noting existing law requires lounges that serve food to operate as two separate businesses — one for food and one for cannabis.

In addition to food and beverages, the law will allow for live performances, but its stipulations require local approval, according to Forbes, which noted the change has received resistance from critics who felt it could normalize public smoking.

As part of the law, businesses must get a ventilation standards permit, buy respirator masks and create plans to prevent illness from secondhand smoke, Eater reported.