The ordinance establishes a new permit for cannabis cafés that allows them to sell cannabis for on-site consumption and exempts them from certain smoking regulations and location restrictions. It also sets specific eligibility criteria for applicants and outlines associated fees for those seeking the permit.
Ordinance amending the Health, Planning, Police, and Business and Tax Regulations Codes to establish a new permit type for cannabis cafés to be administered by the Office of Cannabis that will authorize the permittee to sell cannabis and cannabis products only for consumption on the premises of the café; exempt cannabis cafés from the prohibition on smoking in business establishments; eliminate the prohibition on establishments with a cannabis consumption permit requiring employees to enter a designated smoking room as a condition of employment; exempt cannabis cafés in certain circumstances from the 600-foot buffer rule that applies to cannabis retail establishments; restrict eligibility for cannabis café permits for one year to businesses that currently hold a cannabis storefront retailer permit or that have the same owners as such a business; require Equity Applicants that apply for a cannabis café permit to pay the $2,000 application fee, any permit amendment processing costs, and the $3,000 license fee for the first year of operation, associated with the cannabis café permit; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302.
How it got here
The legislation to establish cannabis cafés in San Francisco originated from a need to create a new permit type for cannabis consumption establishments, prompted by state law and local economic considerations.
Supervisor Mandelman introduced the ordinance to amend various codes to establish a new permit type for cannabis cafés.
The Board referred the proposed legislation to the Planning Department, Small Business Commission, and other relevant departments for review.
The Planning Department affirmed that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Small Business Commission voted 5-1 to support the legislation, recognizing the potential for new opportunities for cannabis businesses.
The Planning Commission adopted a recommendation for approval of the ordinance, finding it consistent with the General Plan.
A public hearing was scheduled to consider the proposed ordinance, allowing for public input before final decisions.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record