In abstract
The state is permitting extra on-street alcohol gross sales and meals in hashish lounges. Supporters say the legal guidelines will enhance downtown economies.
Beginning Jan. 1, alcohol and hashish gross sales may broaden in some elements of California thanks to 2 new legal guidelines that purpose to extend central metropolis foot visitors, which has but to totally get better from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Invoice 969authored by state Sen. Scott Weinerwill let native governments designate “entertainment zones,” the place bars and eating places can promote alcoholic drinks for folks to drink on public streets and sidewalks.
Some organizations, such because the California Alcohol Coverage Alliance, oppose SB 969 as a result of it may contribute to drunk driving accidents and elevated alcohol mortality charges.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an identical invoice in 2022, but it surely was restricted to San Francisco. In September, the town experimented with an leisure zone for Oktoberfest and reported a minimum of 10 instances extra foot visitors than the 2023 celebration.
“Getting people out in the streets to enjoy themselves is critical for communities across our state to bounce back from the pandemic,” Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, stated in a press release.
There’s nonetheless lots of broader financial uneasiness, amongst enterprise leaders and Californians involved about the price of residing. Newsom has launched into a jobs tour.
AB 1775 legalizes Amsterdam-style hashish cafes, permitting lounges to additionally promote meals and drinks that aren’t pre-packaged. After opposition from the American Coronary heart and Lung Affiliation and Newsom’s veto of an identical invoice in 2022, AB 1775 contains extra protections for employees towards secondhand smoke.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” invoice writer Assemblymember Matt Haneyadditionally a San Francisco Democrat, stated in a press release. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a sandwich, or listening to music. There’s no doubt that cannabis cafes will bring massive economic, cultural and creative opportunities and benefits to our state.”
This story was written by former CalMatters politics intern Jenna Peterson.
