Cannabis Cafés One Step Closer To Becoming A Reality In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — People may soon be able to assemble their dream — or nightmare — blunt rotation at cannabis cafés across San Francisco after city supervisors approved a new ordinance.

Tuesday's Board of Supervisors saw county officials approve a new rule that would allow businesses with cannabis licenses to offer food and drinks on-site.

Cannabis lounges already exist in San Francisco, but the only food or drink they've been allowed to sell to date have been those infused with THC.

The new law would also allow people to smoke inside, creating a similar ambiance as that found in Amsterdam's popular cafés. But unlike Amsterdam, these lounges will not be allowed to sell alcohol.

The ordinance will need to be signed off on by Mayor Daniel Lurie before it goes into law.

Four supervisors, including Myrna Melga, opposed the measure, saying it would roll back progress made to create smoke-free indoor spaces and workplaces, according to NBC.

The ordinance was authored by San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman alongside Assemblymember Matt Haney.

The legislation builds on a bill Haney authored and got passed in 2024, allowing the retail preparation, sale and consumption of non-cannabis food and beverage products.

"Cannabis cafes are going to be part of San Francisco's recovery," Mandelan said during a press conference in March. He added in a statement online that "with additional taxes and increased competition from the illegal market, this is a common-sense change for San Francisco's legal cannabis retailers."