Getting the munchies just got a whole lot easier in San Francisco.
The city’s Board of Supervisors approved a measure in a 7–4 vote Tuesday, to allow Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes. It will now move to SF Mayor Daniel Lurie to sign it into law.
The move paves the way for weed cafes where customers can get high, grab a bite to eat and catch live entertainment — all under one roof.
San Francisco currently allows for pot smoking in certain pot dispensaries. This measure allows these pot smoking places to now sell food and nonalcoholic drinks while offering live entertainment to customers.
Board of Supervisor President Rafael Mandelman celebrated the passage of the bill.
“San Francisco just gave our legal cannabis industry a real tool to compete and grow,” Mandelman said in a statement to CBS.
“Cannabis cafés are part of this city’s recovery, right alongside our entertainment zones, neighborhood activation, and free concerts, and today’s vote makes sure our legal retailers aren’t left behind.”
Supporters said the measure brings the city into compliance with a state law, Assembly Bill 1775, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, that was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024 and took effect January 2025.
Haney-a former SF board of supervisor celebrated the move.
“This is exactly what we envisioned when I authored the bill to make it possible for cities to legalize cannabis cafés, and it’s exciting to see San Francisco lead the way in making that vision a reality,” Haney said.
The law allows for the preparation or sale of non-cannabis food or beverage products where consumption of cannabis is allowed and the sale of tickets for entertainment.
Four members of the board opposed it, with critics arguing it moves the city backwards in terms of public health, NBC Bay Area reported.
“I think that indoor smoke whether it’s cannabis or tobacco is a serious public health issue,” city supervisor Myrna Melgar said during last week’s hearing.
Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights said it will “dismantle decades of hard-won public health progress.”
“Supporters of the cannabis cafe ordinance are focusing on misguided economic claims of helping struggling cannabis businesses and revitalizing San Francisco’s nightlife,” Hallett wrote in an op-ed.
“San Francisco’s small businesses deserve complete support, but the city does not need to carve out exemptions that jeopardize worker safety in order to aid an already fast-growing economy. “
“Furthermore, San Francisco’s nightlife is thriving, and no boost in vitality can be achieved by stripping away workplace health and safety protections from our essential hospitality workers,” she added.
There are currently nearly 70 active licences in the city for retail cannabis stores.
Owner of Barbary Coast Dispensary, Clayton Kopp, said they’re excited for what’s next.
“San Francisco has always been the leader in cannabis regulation in the United States,” Kopp told The California Post in a statement.
“From medical and prop 22, dispensaries and now food and cannabis consumption, we believe in our city and our ability to make a killer cup of coffee for our customers!”
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