California cannabis customers could one day pick up marijuana products from a drive-thru window under a bill that advanced this week in the state Senate.
The proposal, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Santa Cruz Democrat, would allow licensed cannabis retailers to sell products through drive-thru windows. State law currently permits curbside pickup at licensed dispensaries, but drive-thru sales are not broadly allowed.
Supporters argue the change would help legal dispensaries compete with unlicensed sellers while also making cannabis purchases easier for customers with disabilities or limited mobility. That could be particularly relevant in Southern California and the Inland Empire, where many cannabis businesses operate in car-dependent communities and customers often travel by vehicle to reach licensed retailers.
At a Monday hearing, Annie Aubrey, owner of Chuck’s Wellness Center in Placerville, said many customers use cannabis for medical reasons, including older adults, veterans and people with chronic conditions that make it difficult to get in and out of a store.
The measure cleared the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, with both Democrats and Republicans divided in their support and opposition.
Law enforcement groups are pushing back. The California Narcotic Officers’ Association opposes the bill, saying drive-thru sales would place convenience ahead of safety.
Ryan Sherman, a lobbyist for the association, told lawmakers that selling through a vehicle window could make it more difficult for dispensary workers to confirm a customer’s identification. He also warned that employees may have a harder time determining whether a driver is impaired before completing a sale.
Sen. Roger Niello, a Roseville Republican, also opposed the bill and used the hearing to raise broader concerns about the consequences of cannabis legalization. Niello said easier access, potential risks for young people and cannabis use disorder deserve closer scrutiny as state and federal leaders continue to revisit marijuana policy.
The bill’s advancement keeps the drive-thru cannabis proposal alive as California continues to adjust rules for its legal marijuana market, which has struggled to compete with unlicensed operators since recreational sales began in 2018.
Original source: CalMatters
