Cali’s Green Game: Farmers and Cafes Gonna Serve the Good Stuff!

Yo, what’s good, fam? You heard the news? Cali ’bout to get lit with that green, ya feel me? Despite all that federal drama tryin’ to keep weed on the down-low, the California Assembly and Senate just gave the green light to two dope laws this week that’s gonna change the whole game. We talkin’ bout lettin’ small growers and cannabis cafes do their thing, straight up! Let’s break it down.

Cannabis Cafés: Get Your Munchies and Vibes

So check it, back in January, Assemblymember Matt Haney threw down Assembly Bill 1775 (AB1775), which is all about makin’ cannabis cafés legit. What’s a cannabis café, you ask? Just like those spots in Amsterdam where you can chill with your homies, sip on some drinks that ain’t got no weed in ‘em, and just vibe out. Right now, places that got a license can let you smoke up inside, but they ain’t allowed to serve you no food or drinks that ain’t got that green in ‘em. But with this new law, they gonna flip the script.

This bill gonna let local governments pick spots where you can puff, pass, and munch. Think about it: you rollin’ up to a café, grabbin’ a snack, while some dope live music plays in the background. Sounds like a whole vibe, right? The Senate was feelin’ it too; they passed it 30-7 after some tweaks on August 27. Then the Assembly was like, “bet,” and approved it 58-6. Now it’s chillin’ on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, waitin’ for that signature.

Farmers Markets Gettin’ the Green Light

But wait, there’s more! AB1111 made its debut in February, thanks to Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and her crew. This one is all about lettin’ small-time growers hit up farmers’ markets to sell their goods. Yeah, you heard that right! This bill gonna give them a “small producer event sales license,” so they can sell their weed at poppin’ events like farmers’ markets. And, best believe, folks can light up right there at these gatherings.

Imagine rollin’ up to your local farmers’ market, scoopin’ some fresh produce, and then hittin’ up a booth for some fire bud. The Senate gave this one the thumbs up too, passing it 27-5, and then it went back to the Assembly for approval. Now it’s sittin’ pretty, ready for the governor’s signature.

Cali Got Your Back: Legalization Round Two

Peeps in Cali got their votes poppin’ back in 2016 when they legalized recreational weed for adults. This went live on January 1, 2018, but the feds still tryin’ to hold it down. Even though the feds keep tryin’ to block the path for weed, Cali’s been hustlin’ hard to expand the game. In 2021, Newsom even let terminally ill folks use medicinal cannabis legally. They also changed tax rules to let businesses write off costs. It’s like they tryna say, “We ain’t scared of no feds!”

With these new laws, AB1775 and AB1111, Cali is settin’ the stage to break down barriers in the cannabis game. They want to normalize weed use, let more folks get involved, and just grow the whole industry.

State vs. Feds: Who’s Gonna Win?

Now, let’s keep it real. Weed is still illegal on the federal level – thanks to that 1970 Controlled Substances Act. But the feds can’t just roll into Cali and shut everything down. They ain’t got the juice to handle that, especially when most weed-related arrests come from state laws, not federal. So, states that chill with the weed laws pretty much makin’ it hard for the feds to flex.

It’s been a wave of legalization across the states. States like Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska got the ball rollin’. Then Cali, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts jumped in too. Now we got New Jersey, Montana, Arizona, New York, and more on the train. Over 24 states got that recreational weed on lock, while 38 allow it for medical use. The message is clear: the people ain’t havin’ it, and states are takin’ a stand.

Conclusion: We Out Here Paving the Way

With AB1775 and AB1111 makin’ moves, it’s clear Cali ain’t playin’. They showin’ that once a state legalizes weed, they gonna keep pushin’ for more freedom. This is just the beginning, and it’s all about layin’ down the groundwork for future progress. You gotta take that first step to make other moves happen.

So keep your eyes peeled, fam! Cali’s bout to get real creative with cannabis, and you don’t wanna miss out on the good vibes comin’ your way. The green wave is here, and it’s only gettin’ bigger!