Commissioner flags state bill to allow cannabis lounges to serve prepared food and potentially charge covers

Near the end of the meeting a commissioner alerted colleagues that legislation introduced this week, in collaboration with Assemblymember Haney's office, would allow cannabis lounges to offer prepared food (beyond prepackaged items), serve coffee and sandwiches, and in some cases operate like a small restaurant or venue, including the ability to charge a cover in some situations.

The commissioner said such a change would open new business models and could create additional permitting opportunities for the Entertainment Commission. No formal position or vote on the legislation was taken at the meeting.