California Bill for Cannabis Party Buses Approved for Assembly Vote

By 2019, California was embracing its long-standing cannabis culture by approving marijuana delivery services and social cannabis cafes. That summer, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would allow cannabis party buses under certain conditions. Once SB 625 cleared committee, it advanced to the Assembly floor for a vote.

Cannabis Party Buses Regulations

Supporters argued the bill could open the door to even more marijuana tourism in California. However, every cannabis party bus would have to meet strict requirements designed to protect both the driver and passengers. For instance, each vehicle would need a physical barrier between the driver and passenger compartments, with separate ventilation for each.

In addition, all passengers would have to be at least 21 years old, and an employee would have to accompany them at all times. The driver would also need to warn passengers that cannabis consumption would take place during the ride. Moreover, the driver would remind everyone of the emergency exits.

The buses would also require tinted windows so the public could not see cannabis being consumed, and the design would have to comply with all safety laws. Aside from branding, these buses would be easy to identify. Each one would carry a warning notice stating that cannabis would be consumed inside and that cannabis poses a risk to pregnant or breastfeeding women and impairs driving ability.

CHP Opposes Bill

The legislation cleared committee on a 10-6 vote, but the California Highway Patrol openly opposed it. The agency claimed that it “does not have the means to test the barriers” and that the “ingestion of secondhand smoke by the driver could have disastrous results.”

Notably, the proposal aimed to close an existing legal loophole that already allowed cannabis party buses approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. Under the bill, any business interested in hosting cannabis tours would first need to apply for a state license before any paying customers could step aboard.