New California law would allow cannabis catering

According to KTLA 5, a new law in the California state legislature could finally allow private events to have cannabis catering. As society increasingly accepts cannabis as an alternative to alcohol, California legislators (and evidently federal agencies that have not yet legalized cannabis at this point) are often scolded for their regressive cannabis policies that do not reflect the will of the people. Finally, thanks to Assembly Bill 471, authored by Assembly member Ash Karla (D-San Jose), there could be a step in the right direction. Kalra is the first Indian American to serve in the California Legislature, having previously authored bills such as AB-2542 (California Racial Justice Act of 2020) and AB 572 (California Deforestation-Free Procurement).

AB471 (which launched on February 6 and is subject to review at the time of writing) hopes to change current cannabis laws by expanding existing language to allow licensed caterers to serve cannabis at private events like a wedding The venue would hire a florist for the flowers, a caterer for food, and an alcohol supplier for wine. The law would simply allow commercial cannabis activity, so you wouldn’t have to hide your weed at your wedding, but responsibly serve it to guests in the same way you would eat or wine.

However, if you like your red and green, aka mixing wine and cannabis, you must continue to sneak one or the other, or choose a side. Of course, the bill contains many rules and restrictions. Firstly, the area designated for cannabis use must be restricted to persons aged 21 and over. And no, the caterer cannot provide alcoholic services. Additionally, the cannabis caterer cannot sponsor, promote, or host the event (which limits the publicity of your event). If you are a caterer licensee it is illegal to provide cannabis or similar paraphernalia at one location for more than 36 events in a calendar year, meaning if you are a cannabis caterer and have a favorite location you can only serve Cannabis comes out 36 times in a year, which is 3 times a month, so choose your business wisely.

If you’re confused reading this because you’ve been to many parties in California where weed was served, this bill would change the following: Currently, under California law, only the hosts can provide cannabis for themselves. Of course, many people bend this rule, but that’s the law. However, if AB471 is passed, cannabis companies could be mandated to obtain their catering licenses and then offer their cannabis at private events. At the risk of spoiling sentiment, dear reader, one must also remember that bureaucracy and money often make it difficult for cannabis companies to obtain such licenses in the first place, especially those without a financial footing.

Unfortunately, it’s also worth noting that a similar bill was proposed and rejected by Karla in the last legislature. So we don’t even know if AB471 will exist. On a positive note, however, highlighting Karla’s concern for the environment is that cannabis catering companies can reuse unused cannabis from one event for another party if accepted, minimizing waste (and ensuring that no one eats their weed wasted).