NORTHSTATE, Calif. — A new state law is allowing for cannabis cafes in California.

With Assembly Bill 1775 going into effect Jan.1, cities and counties can choose to let licensed cannabis retailers and microbusinesses prepare and sell non-cannabis food or beverage products while hosting performances like live music on site, where cannabis consumption is allowed.

Vibe by California Redding store manager Derek Yorton told KRCR, overall, he thinks it’s a step forward, with several benefits.

“I honestly do think that it can help bolster not only our industry, but the food industry as well in terms of creation, creativity and competition,” Yorton said.

He added, “It would definitely help the industry as a whole, as well as medical patients and recreational consumers.”

Yorton said, as of right now, the dispensary will be offering the same pre-packaged cannabis goods. However, their team is actively looking at their options, both in Redding and at their other locations in California.

“I am hopeful that the city of Redding will see that our industry shouldn’t be demonized, rather supported and structured to both help the local economy here and to help us compete with Sacramento and the Bay Area,” Yorton said.

In October 2024, leaders with the American Heart Association voiced concerns over secondhand smoke exposure after the law passed.

AB 1775 includes some guidelines related to secondhand smoke. Yorton told the Northstate’s News there are methods to limit negative health effects.

“There are certain things that places can do, as in install ventilation systems with really good HEPA filters… It could definitely help strip out anything in the air that could be potentially harmful for the people outside,” he said.

We’ve reached out to city of Redding representatives to ask about when they might make decisions regarding cannabis cafes locally and have not yet heard back at this time.