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San Francisco Moves to Permit Cannabis Cafes With Food and Drinks

Officials frame the proposal as a way to bolster licensed retailers against the illicit market.

Overview

  • Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said he will introduce an ordinance Tuesday to change health, police, planning and tax codes to allow regulated on-site consumption venues.
  • A 2024 state law by Assemblymember Matt Haney opened the door for dispensaries to sell non-infused pastries, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, enabling local authorization of cafe-style operations.
  • The draft rules require clear signage about consumption, staff training on secondhand smoke and ventilation, and measures to prevent loitering.
  • Backers cite models in San Diego, West Hollywood and Sacramento, where licensed cannabis cafes already operate.
  • State figures show $29 billion in legal sales since 2020 but less than two-thirds of total consumer spending in the regulated market, and local business owners publicly support cafes to improve competitiveness and customer experience.