San Francisco is about to get Amsterdam-style cannabis caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s Board of Supervisors gave its final approval to the legislation, paving the way for a new permit for businesses that combine cannabis consumption with food, beverages, and entertainment.<\/p>\n
The ordinance, which was approved in a 7-4 vote during a session<\/a> on July 14, will now head to Mayor Daniel Lurie for consideration.<\/p>\n If signed into law, the measure would create a new cannabis caf\u00e9 permit that would be administered by San Francisco\u2019s Office of Cannabis. <\/p>\n This will enable eligible businesses to sell cannabis and cannabis products for on-site consumption, while also offering food, nonalcoholic beverages, and live entertainment under certain conditions.<\/p>\n The ordinance creates a new category of licensed cannabis caf\u00e9s, which builds on the city\u2019s existing cannabis consumption lounges.<\/p>\n The measure exempts cannabis caf\u00e9s from the city\u2019s prohibition on smoking inside business establishments and removes the rule that prevents businesses from requiring staff to smoke within a designated area while at work.<\/p>\n Additionally, some cannabis caf\u00e9s will also be exempt from the 600-foot buffer mandate, which usually applies to cannabis retail businesses, giving more flexibility in where these caf\u00e9s may operate.<\/p>\n Opportunity for Existing Cannabis Businesses<\/p>\n The measure will allow existing cannabis retailers to expand their businesses, instead of creating opportunities for regular restaurants, bars, and caf\u00e9s to start selling cannabis.<\/p>\n In the first year after the law is implemented, only those businesses that already have a cannabis storefront retailer permit or businesses under the same ownership will be eligible for the new permits.<\/p>\n The cannabis caf\u00e9s will be required to meet the health and food codes as all other food establishments and follow ventilation and signage rules, according to a CBS News report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9s will also have to verify customers\u2019 ages prior to their entry, the report said.<\/p>\n The ordinance also establishes fees for equity applicants seeking a permit, including a $2,000 application fee, permit amendment processing cost, and a $3,000 first-year license fee.<\/p>\n San Francisco is reportedly the first city in the Bay Area to allow such caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n Ordinance Builds on AB 1775<\/p>\n