In certain parts of the U.S., you can buy a surprising number of things other than food from a drive-thru window: Guns in Texas, weddings in Nevada and margaritas in Florida, to name a few.
And if one Assembly bill becomes law, marijuana could be on drive-thru menus in California.
The state Senate’s committee on business, professions and economic development earlier this week passed a proposal that would allow licensed retailers to sell cannabis via drive-thru windows. Currently, cannabis retailers can provide curbside pickup services. But by also allowing drive-thrus, the legal market can gain a competitive edge over the illegal cannabis market, said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Santa Cruz Democrat and bill author.
Bill proponents say the measure would also improve access for people who have mobility issues.
Annie Aubrey, owner of Chuck’s Wellness Center in Placerville, at a hearing Monday: “A significant portion of our customers rely on cannabis as medicine, including seniors, veterans, and individuals living with chronic conditions that affect mobility — exactly the population this regulated system is meant to serve.”
The California Narcotic Officers’ Association opposes the bill, arguing that it “prioritizes speed of sale over public safety.” Ryan Sherman, a lobbyist for the association, said drive-thrus make it harder for retailers to verify a customer’s identification — increasing the chances of illegal sales. It also makes it harder for sellers to see if customers are high or intoxicated behind the wheel.
The bill passed the 11-member committee with a mix of Democrats and Republicans voting for and against it, according to CalMatters’ Digital Democracy. In his opposition, GOP Sen. Roger Niello of Roseville tied his criticisms of the bill with the wider effects of legal cannabis in general, such as easier access for young people and health risks associated with cannabis use disorder.
Niello: “We’re even seeing our current president now, advocating (the legalization) by downplaying the classification of marijuana at the federal level. We have seen significant negative consequences of this legalization both here as well as in other states. And I think it’s time for us to have a serious analysis of that.”
