CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that you contact Governor Newsom and tell him to sign AB 1775, the cannabis café bill which would allow California cannabis dispensaries with lounges to sell food, non-alcoholic beverages, have entertainment, dancing and sell tickets to live and other special events. The governor has until September 30 to sign or veto bills, and can do so at any time so please please please take the time to contact him NOW!!!

The governor vetoed last year's café bill over absurd concerns about employees being exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke. Assembly member Matt Haney who authored the original bill and the newly revised bill AB 1775 worked with the United Food and Commercial Workers union to address those concerns and re-submitted the bill with hoped-for protections from second-hand smoke that will satisfy the governor. Opposition to the bill came from some health organizations and from some restaurants and bars that do not want to see any competition from cannabis lounges offering food, beverages and entertainment the same as they do.

This is why it is all the more critical that he hear from voters that he should sign this important and critical piece of legislation. AB 1775 not only brings cannabis even more into the mainstream but can help the struggling legal cannabis businesses by giving them another outlet for attracting customers away from illegal sources and giving bars and taverns a run for the money with cannabis lounges being now able to offer food, non-alcoholic beverages, dancing and entertainment just like they do.

Thanks to a resolution introduced by the Brownie Mary Democrats, cannabis cafes were officially endorsed by the California Democratic Party. Since Newsom is a Democrat, I am sure this will have some influence on getting him to sign the bill, but the most important influence comes from you so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you contact Governor Newsom now.

The absolute best and really easiest way is to call the Governor’s office at 916-445-2841. Press option 1 for English and then option 6 to speak to a representative in English or select option 2 and then option 7 to speak to a representative in Spanish. If you don’t want to wait for a person to actually answer the phone, you will be given the option to leave a message. If you don’t mind waiting a few minutes, a person will come on the phone and you can tell them directly. Whether you leave a message or speak to a person, just tell them to ask the Governor to sign AB 1775. If you want to say why he should sign it go right ahead, but just saying he should sign AB 1775 is all that is really necessary as I can assure you Governor Newsom will not be told of why he should sign it, just that lots and lots and lots of people took the time to call and tell him to sign it. Of course calling the Governor’s office is only an option if you can call when the office is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you cannot call the Governor’s office when it is open, you can send an email to him at www.gov.ca.gov/contact. Follow the directions on the webpage that comes up. Don’t forget to chose AB 1775 from the list of bills that will come up for you to select. Simply write the Governor asking him to sign AB 1775. If you do want to make a statement in either your phone call or your email, go right ahead and do it but most important DO IT NOW!!!!!

Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project
https://www.marijuananews.org/