Business
Cannabis and Cafes – A Match Made in Heaven?
Cananbis cafes and lounges are the future of social consumption for marijuana fans!
As the music pulsated through the crowd, the sweet smoke of cannabis filled the air, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and euphoria. I took a deep inhale, letting the cannabis wash over me, enhancing the rhythm and melody of the live performance. It was a transcendent experience, where the synergy between cannabis and music was undeniable.
But what if this magical combination could be enjoyed not just at concerts or private gatherings, but at public venues like cafes? The idea of cannabis and cafes coming together seems like a match made in heaven.
Recent legislative developments in California have brought this concept one step closer to reality. Assembly Bill 374, which authorizes licensed marijuana consumption sites to sell freshly made food and beverages and host live events such as concerts, is gaining traction. The Senate’s approval of the bill’s second reading signals a positive shift towards making cannabis a more socially accepted substance.
This development opens up exciting possibilities for cannabis enthusiasts and the general public alike. Cannabis cafes could provide a safe and regulated environment for people to enjoy the plant while also offering a range of delectable food and beverages. Imagine sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee or indulging in a delicious sandwich while sharing a joint with friends. It’s an experience that combines the joys of socializing, culinary delights, and cannabis consumption.
The adoption of cannabis cafes en masse would not only enhance the social aspect of cannabis use but also provide a viable alternative to alcohol-centric venues. While alcohol is often associated with negative consequences such as intoxication and aggression, cannabis offers a more peaceful and introspective experience. By embracing cannabis cafes, society can promote a healthier and more harmonious social environment.
Picture attending a concert where you can not only enjoy the music but also purchase a dab or consume an edible from a licensed retailer within the venue. The integration of cannabis into the live performance scene would undoubtedly elevate the overall experience for enthusiasts. It would create a unique space where the power of music and cannabis intertwine, fostering a deep connection and appreciation for both art forms.
The inspiration for this vision comes from the successful cannabis cafes in the Netherlands, where the social experience of cannabis is capitalized by offering coffee, food, and live music. Assembly Member Matt Haney, the prime sponsor of Assembly Bill 374, recognizes the economic potential of this model. By allowing struggling cannabis businesses to diversify away from the traditional dispensary model, the bill aims to bring much-needed tourist dollars into empty downtowns.
Furthermore, Haney emphasizes the demand for social consumption spaces, stating that many individuals want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others while savoring a cup of coffee, munching on a scone, or immersing themselves in music. From an economic, health, and safety standpoint, there is no logical reason to prohibit these experiences.
Critics argue that current California law unnecessarily restricts cannabis consumption lounges, preventing them from selling freshly prepared food. Assembly Bill 374 aims to rectify this issue, explicitly allowing licensed marijuana consumption sites to serve freshly made foods and beverages. The bill’s supporters even dub it the “cannabis café” bill, envisioning Amsterdam-style establishments that offer a range of consumables, from coffee and tea to sandwiches.
In a world where cannabis is becoming increasingly legalized and destigmatized, the concept of cannabis and cafes harmoniously coexisting holds immense promise. It promotes responsible and regulated consumption, encourages social interaction, and fosters a sense of community among cannabis enthusiasts. It also presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to innovate and create unique experiences that cater to the growing demand for cannabis-friendly environments.
While cannabis and cafes may seem like an unconventional pairing to some, the potential benefits cannot be ignored. As cannabis becomes a permanent fixture in our society, it’s crucial to embrace progressive ideas that offer inclusive spaces for its enjoyment. Rather than clinging to outdated fears and misconceptions, we should focus our energy on more pressing issues, such as holding politicians accountable for accepting money from large corporations and prioritizing the needs of the people over profit.
Cannabis and cafes—let’s make it happen, and usher in a new era of social harmony, creativity, and shared experiences. The possibilities are endless, and the rewards immeasurable. It’s time to embrace this match made in heaven.
Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/cannabis-and-cafes-a-match-made-in-heaven
New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.
The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.
The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.
The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.
After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.
In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.
The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.
At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.
Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.
Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.
The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:
- Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
- Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.
Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/
Four marijuana companies, including a multistate operator, have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in which they allege the federal MJ prohibition under the Controlled Substances Act is no longer constitutional.
According to the complaint, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, retailer Canna Provisions, Treevit delivery service CEO Gyasi Sellers, cultivator Wiseacre Farm and MSO Verano Holdings Corp. are all harmed by “the federal government’s unconstitutional ban on cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intrastate marijuana.”
Verano is headquartered in Chicago but has operations in Massachusetts; the other three operators are based in Massachusetts.
The lawsuit seeks a ruling that the “Controlled Substances Act is unconstitutional as applied to the intrastate cultivation, manufacture, possession, and distribution of marijuana pursuant to state law.”
The companies want the case to go before the U.S. Supreme Court.
They hired prominent law firm Boies Schiller Flexner to represent them.
The New York-based firm’s principal is David Boies, whose former clients include Microsoft, former presidential candidate Al Gore and Elizabeth Holmes’ disgraced startup Theranos.
Similar challenges to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) have failed.
One such challenge led to a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2005.
In Gonzalez vs. Raich, the highest court in the United States ruled in a 6-3 decision that the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to outlaw marijuana federally, even though state laws allow the cultivation and sale of cannabis.
In the 18 years since that ruling, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult-use marijuana and the federal government has allowed a multibillion-dollar cannabis industry to thrive.
Since both Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice, currently headed by Garland, have declined to intervene in state-licensed marijuana markets, the key facts that led to the Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling “no longer apply,” Boies said in a statement Thursday.
“The Supreme Court has since made clear that the federal government lacks the authority to regulate purely intrastate commerce,” Boies said.
“Moreover, the facts on which those precedents are based are no longer true.”
Verano President Darren Weiss said in a statement the company is “prepared to bring this case all the way to the Supreme Court in order to align federal law with how Congress has acted for years.”
While the Biden administration’s push to reschedule marijuana would help solve marijuana operators’ federal tax woes, neither rescheduling nor modest Congressional reforms such as the SAFER Banking Act “solve the fundamental issue,” Weiss added.
“The application of the CSA to lawful state-run cannabis business is an unconstitutional overreach on state sovereignty that has led to decades of harm, failed businesses, lost jobs, and unsafe working conditions.”
Alabama regulators are targeting Dec. 1 to award the first batch of medical cannabis business licenses after the agency’s first two attempts were scrapped because of scoring errors and litigation.
The first licenses will be awarded to individual cultivators, delivery providers, processors, dispensaries and state testing labs, according to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC).
Then, on Dec. 12, the AMCC will award licenses for vertically integrated operations, a designation set primarily for multistate operators.
Licenses are expected to be handed out 28 days after they have been awarded, so MMJ production could begin in early January, according to the Alabama Daily News.
That means MMJ products could be available for patients around early March, an AMCC spokesperson told the media outlet.
Regulators initially awarded 21 business licenses in June, only to void them after applicants alleged inconsistencies with how the applications were scored.
Then, in August, the state awarded 24 different licenses – 19 went to June recipients – only to reverse themselves again and scratch those licenses after spurned applicants filed lawsuits.
A state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chicago-based MSO Verano Holdings Corp., but another lawsuit is pending.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/alabama-plans-to-award-medical-cannabis-licenses-dec-1/
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