Sacramento Approves Measure Allowing Up To 40 Cannabis Lounges

SACRAMENTO, CA – A pilot program that would allow dozens of cannabis cafes in Sacramento was approved this week by the City Council, CBS News reports.

The ordinance, which passed by a 5-4 vote, permits the city to have up to 40 cannabis lounges, where patrons can smoke cannabis and eat pre-packaged food. The lounges can only be at existing cannabis dispensaries.   The deciding vote was cast by Mayor Darrell Steinberg.

The program would allow for two types of permits. Type 1 allows the consumption of infused food and drinks, and Type 2 allows patrons to smoke cannabis products such as flower, pre-rolls and concentrates. The lounges will be required to have special “negative pressure smoking rooms” that heavily filter the air. They will not be able to prepare food on-site.

The proposal was overseen by Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who told ABC10, ““This is a reason that people would come to Sacramento because they want to try this out because they want to see how it works because they’re curious about what it would be like to be in a community setting where they’re using their cannabis products.”

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure legalizing such cafes in California. It authorizes cannabis businesses to prepare and sell non-cannabis foods and beverages along with selling tickets to live performances.

Other cities, including West Hollywood and San Francisco, have also decided to allow the businesses.  Sacramento officials are hoping the lounges could boost cannabis tourism in their city and bring in added tax revenue.

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