Board approves ordinance to allow cannabis cafes on first reading over public-health objections

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on July 7 to pass, on first reading, an ordinance creating a new permit for cannabis cafes that would allow licensed establishments to sell cannabis for on-site consumption. The measure, referred from the Land Use and Transportation Committee without recommendation, passed first reading by a 7–4 roll-call vote.

Supervisor Melgar told the full board she would oppose the legislation because it permits indoor smoking. “I think indoor smoke, whether it’s cannabis or tobacco, is a serious public health issue,” Melgar said, arguing that allowing indoor cannabis smoking would be a step back for public-health goals and could contribute to increased nicotine and vaping rates among younger people.

Supporters of the ordinance said the new permit would be administered by the Office of Cannabis, would affirm CEQA determinations, and would provide a regulated pathway for brick-and-mortar businesses that already serve cannabis customers. The clerk recorded seven ayes and four nos, with Supervisors Melgar, Wong, Chan, and Chen voting no.

The ordinance covers amendments to the health, planning, police, and business-and-tax regulation codes to create the permit type and include operational and CEQA findings. Because the measure passed only on first reading, it will return for subsequent readings and final action at a later date.

If adopted on later readings, the Office of Cannabis would be the permitting authority for the cafes; the ordinance text, as introduced, affirms existing CEQA determinations and includes findings the board must make before final adoption.