<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>California Law Archives — Black Cannabis Magazine</title> <atom:link href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/tag/california-law/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/tag/california-law/</link> <description>We educate, inform, empower + provide entertainment for our TRIBE. Highlighting people of color in the cannabis industry.</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:34:03 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/blackcannabismagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-9A031074-6155-49D0-91F9-3CD39BD7AB82.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1</url> <title>California Law Archives — Black Cannabis Magazine</title> <link>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/tag/california-law/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">169930730</site> <item> <title>Sacramento Approves Cannabis Lounge Pilot Program</title> <link>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/sacramento-approves-cannabis-lounge-pilot-program/</link> <comments>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/sacramento-approves-cannabis-lounge-pilot-program/?noamp=mobile#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Hazey Taughtme]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:25:18 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Government]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retail]]></category> <category><![CDATA[California Law]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cannabis industry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cannabis Lounges]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cannabis Tourism]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crystal Nugs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Maisha Bahati]]></category> <category><![CDATA[public health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sacramento]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social consumption]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blackcannabismagazine.com/?p=199756</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Sacramento has officially joined the growing list of California cities embracing cannabis lounges. In a close 5-4 decision, the Sacramento City Council voted to approve a pilot program that will allow the social consumption of cannabis at select dispensaries. The deciding vote came from Mayor Darrell Steinberg, showcasing the division this program has sparked within […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/sacramento-approves-cannabis-lounge-pilot-program/">Sacramento Approves Cannabis Lounge Pilot Program</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com">Black Cannabis Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sacramento has officially joined the growing list of California cities embracing <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/california-to-open-dutch-style-cannabis-cafes-by-2025/">cannabis lounges</a>. In a close 5-4 decision, the Sacramento City Council voted to approve a pilot program that will allow the social consumption of cannabis at select dispensaries. The deciding vote came from Mayor Darrell Steinberg, showcasing the division this program has sparked within the community.</p> <p>This move aligns Sacramento with other California cities like West Hollywood and San Francisco, which have already implemented cannabis lounge models. However, it also raises questions about public health, safety, and economic impact.</p> <h3>What the Pilot Program Entails</h3> <p>The ordinance permits up to <strong>40 cannabis lounges</strong> to open within existing dispensaries as part of the pilot program. These lounges are expected to not only serve the needs of local cannabis consumers but also attract cannabis tourism to Sacramento. The potential for increased tax revenue is an added incentive for the city.</p> <p>Businesses like <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/crystal-nugs-sacramentos-first-black-woman-owned-dispensary/">Crystal Nugs</a>, owned by <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/maisha-bahati-to-open-norcals-first-black-woman-owned-lounge/">Maisha Bahati</a>, are already prepared for this change. Bahati shared her excitement, saying, <em>“When we built out our dispensary, we included a 1,400-square-foot negative pressure room. We’ve just been waiting for this moment.”</em> Dubbed the “Doobie Den,” this space is primed to become one of the city’s first cannabis lounges.</p> <h3>The Pushback: Health Concerns and Opposition</h3> <p>Despite the enthusiasm from some business owners and cannabis advocates, the decision has not been without controversy. Councilmember Eric Guerra joined forces with health experts to highlight the potential risks of secondhand smoke, which remains a point of contention.</p> <p><em>“The proposed recreational smoke lounges set us back and normalize the issue of secondhand smoke,”</em> Guerra remarked during a press conference ahead of the council vote.</p> <p>Organizations like the American Cancer Society also voiced their concerns, arguing that cannabis lounges could undermine public health initiatives aimed at reducing exposure to harmful smoke.</p> <h3>The Economic and Cultural Impact</h3> <p>Proponents of the pilot program believe that cannabis lounges could be a boon for Sacramento’s economy, fostering a new wave of tourism and local spending. By creating designated areas for cannabis consumption, the city may also address issues of public smoking in undesignated spaces.</p> <p>West Hollywood’s cannabis cafes, for instance, have attracted significant attention and revenue, serving as a blueprint for what Sacramento hopes to achieve. As the cannabis industry evolves, cities like Sacramento are testing the waters to strike a balance between economic benefits and public health considerations.</p> <p><iframe title="Cannabis smoking lounges approved in Sacramento" width="740" height="416" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G-1OJir-SxU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <h3>What’s Next?</h3> <p>The city council’s approval sets the stage for the first cannabis lounges to open in the coming months. Sacramento’s ordinance has been described as a trial run, and city leaders will closely monitor its outcomes, including economic growth, community reception, and any health-related concerns.</p> <p>This bold step forward cements Sacramento’s role in shaping California’s cannabis industry. Whether it will serve as a model for other cities or a cautionary tale remains to be seen.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/sacramento-approves-cannabis-lounge-pilot-program/">Sacramento Approves Cannabis Lounge Pilot Program</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com">Black Cannabis Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/sacramento-approves-cannabis-lounge-pilot-program/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">199756</post-id> </item> <item> <title>California’s 2024 Cannabis Laws Protect Employees</title> <link>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/californias-2024-cannabis-laws-protect-employees/</link> <comments>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/californias-2024-cannabis-laws-protect-employees/?noamp=mobile#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Hazey Taughtme]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:30:29 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Government]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Law]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Business Adaptation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[California Law]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cannabis Rights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[drug testing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Employee Protection]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Employment Law]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HR Compliance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[legal marijuana]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Legislative Changes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Medicinal Marijuana]]></category> <category><![CDATA[recreational cannabis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State Legislation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Workplace Policy]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blackcannabismagazine.com/?p=198923</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis legislation, California has once again taken a pioneering step. The state’s new laws, coming into effect in 2024, offer robust protection for employees using cannabis outside their workplace. This marks a significant shift in the balance of employee rights and workplace regulations. Understanding the Legal Changes Two new […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/californias-2024-cannabis-laws-protect-employees/">California’s 2024 Cannabis Laws Protect Employees</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com">Black Cannabis Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><strong>Introduction</strong></h3> <p>In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis legislation, California has once again taken a pioneering step. The state’s new <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/sanfrancisco/news/new-2024-laws-protect-california-workers-cannabis-off-job/">laws</a>, coming into effect in 2024, offer robust protection for employees using cannabis outside their workplace. This marks a significant shift in the balance of employee rights and workplace regulations.</p> <h3><strong>Understanding the Legal Changes</strong></h3> <p>Two new legislative acts, Assembly Bill 2188 and Senate Bill 700, are at the heart of this transformation. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, these bills collectively change the game for cannabis users in the workforce. Assembly Bill 2188, signed in 2022, restricts employers from using hair or urine tests for marijuana in employment decisions. These tests, which can detect cannabis traces long after use, are no longer a factor in hiring or firing decisions.</p> <h3><strong>Implications for Employers and Employees</strong></h3> <p>The repercussions for California’s business landscape are profound. The National Federation of Independent Business has listed these changes among the top compliance challenges for small businesses in 2024. While the California Chamber of Commerce initially opposed AB 2188, revisions led to the removal of its “job killer” label. Yet, the Chamber maintains concerns about workplace safety and employers’ rights to enforce disciplinary measures against impairment at work.</p> <h3><strong>Exceptions and Limitations</strong></h3> <p>Notably, the laws carve out exceptions. Construction workers and federal job applicants with required background checks remain subject to previous testing standards. Moreover, while AB 2188 prohibits specific testing methods, it doesn’t impede employers from using alternative means, like blood tests, to assess impairment.</p> <h3><strong>Rights and Responsibilities</strong></h3> <p>SB 700 further clarifies these regulations by amending the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. It specifically bars employers from inquiring about an applicant’s prior cannabis use. Additionally, while employers can review an applicant’s criminal history, they cannot discriminate based on past cannabis-related offenses, barring specific legal exceptions.</p> <h3><strong>Context and Historical Perspective</strong></h3> <p>California’s journey with cannabis legalization is long-standing. It became the first state to legalize medicinal marijuana in 1996 and approved recreational use in 2016. With 24 states and Washington, D.C., now recognizing recreational marijuana use, California’s new laws could signal a broader trend towards redefining workplace norms around cannabis.</p> <h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3> <p>As we step into 2024, California’s progressive stance on cannabis use and employee rights sets a new precedent. This shift is not just a regional change but a signal of evolving attitudes towards cannabis nationwide. Employers and employees alike must navigate this new terrain with a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com/californias-2024-cannabis-laws-protect-employees/">California’s 2024 Cannabis Laws Protect Employees</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blackcannabismagazine.com">Black Cannabis Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blackcannabismagazine.com/californias-2024-cannabis-laws-protect-employees/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">198923</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/ Page Caching using Disk: Enhanced{w3tc_pagecache_reject_reason} Served from: blackcannabismagazine.com @ 2025-02-10 23:04:41 by W3 Total Cache -->