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The California Assembly has passed a bill that would allow marijuana retailers to offer drive-thru windows to serve customers.
The measure, which was approved in a floor vote of 55-9 on Monday, says that licensed cannabis retailers and microbusinesses with storefronts could sell marijuana products “to a customer in a motor vehicle in a drive-through located on the premises.”
It previously cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee and Business and Professions Committee, and next heads to the Senate for consideration.
Under AB 2697 from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D), cannabis businesses would need approval from the local jurisdictions in which they operate in order to add the drive-thru option.
The sponsor said on the floor that the bill “will expand access to legal cannabis products while strengthening legal market’s ability to compete with the illicit market.”
Pellerin and supporters have testified that the legislation will help make legal cannabis more accessible, especially for medical patients who may find it difficult to get out of their cars.
“California cannabis retailers lack a common and accessible transaction path for consumers afforded so many other retailers in California, including fast food, pharmacies, banks and even liquor stores,” Pellerin previously said.
“Cannabis consumers who have mobility issues or other disabilities have limited options for being able to obtain cannabis without having to step out of their vehicles. And while home delivery is legal, there are service area restrictions,” she said. “Allowing cannabis retailers to add the consumer-friendly option of a secured drive through, if approved by the local jurisdiction, will enhance the consumer experience, increase safety at cannabis retailers, and help expand California’s legal cannabis marketplace.”
The California Narcotic Officers’ Association opposes the proposal, however, arguing that “while intended to promote convenience, this retail model introduces elevated risks related to impaired driving, regulatory compliance, crime exposure, and traffic safety.”
“Importantly, no similar statute authorizes drive-thru window liquor sales. Drive-thru window cannabis sales create a direct nexus between purchase and vehicle operations,” the police group said. “This will increase the likelihood of drug-impaired driving incidents and deaths by encouraging the immediate or near-immediate consumption following the purchase of edible and high-potency products resulting in dangerous impairment.”
Under a current policy enacted during the height of the COVID pandemic, dispensaries can already offer curbside pickup.
The bill that is advancing in the legislature would mandate that drive-thru sales “shall occur through a fixed-pane security window with a security drawer or similar secure transfer mechanism that is part of a building located within the premises.”
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California regulators recently adopted changes to the state’s marijuana licensing process that are intended to make it easier for businesses to qualify for benefits in line with the Trump administration’s recent move to federally reschedule medical cannabis.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), meanwhile, recently took credit for helping to lead the push for the state to legalize marijuana and discussed his own limited experience with using cannabis.
In October, however, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed certain marijuana microbusinesses to ship medical cannabis products directly to patients via common carriers like FedEx and UPS, stating that the proposal “would be burdensome and overly complex to administer.”
Newsom did sign a bill earlier that month aimed at streamlining research on marijuana and psychedelics.
In September, the governor also signed a measure into law to put a pause on a recently enacted tax hike on marijuana products.
California officials recently awarded nearly $30 million in grants for marijuana-focused academic research projects.
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy, politics, science and culture of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
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