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Ordinance#260281Passed
In plain English

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.

Introduced: Mar 17, 2026
Final action: Jul 23, 2026
Official record ↗

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.

1
Introduction of OrdinanceMarch 17, 2026
Supervisor Mandelman

Supervisor Mandelman introduced the ordinance to amend various codes to establish a new permit type for cannabis cafés.

Legistar action history
2
Legislation ReferralMarch 25, 2026
Board of Supervisors

The Board referred the proposed legislation to the Planning Department, Small Business Commission, and other relevant departments for review.

Referral CEQA PC 032526
3
CEQA DeterminationApril 8, 2026
Planning Department

The Planning Department affirmed that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

PC Transmittal 061026
4
Support for LegislationApril 30, 2026
Small Business Commission

The Small Business Commission voted 5-1 to support the legislation, recognizing the potential for new opportunities for cannabis businesses.

SBC Response 043026
5
Recommendation for ApprovalJune 10, 2026
Planning Commission

The Planning Commission adopted a recommendation for approval of the ordinance, finding it consistent with the General Plan.

PC Transmittal 061026
6
Public Hearing ScheduledJune 29, 2026
Land Use and Transportation Committee

A public hearing was scheduled to consider the proposed ordinance, allowing for public input before final decisions.

Hearing Notice 061926

Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record

Document trail
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Leg Dig Ver1
Official legislation text
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Referral CEQA PC 032526
Environmental review (CEQA)
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CEQA Det 040826
Environmental review (CEQA)
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PC Transmittal 061026
Departmental transmittal
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Leg Dig Ver2
Official legislation text
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How they voted

Legislative journey

PresidentMar 17, 2026
ASSIGNED UNDER 30 DAY RULE
Clerk of the BoardMar 25, 2026
REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
Planning DepartmentApr 8, 2026
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Small Business CommissionApr 30, 2026
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Planning CommissionJun 10, 2026
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Clerk of the BoardJun 19, 2026 – Jun 24, 2026
·NOTICED
·NOTICED
Land Use and Transportation CommitteeJun 29, 2026
AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE BEARING SAME TITLEPass
REFERRED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AS AMENDEDPass
Board of SupervisorsJul 7, 2026 – Jul 14, 2026
PASSED ON FIRST READINGPass
FINALLY PASSEDPass
MayorJul 23, 2026
APPROVED