San Francisco Leaders Hope to Spark City’s Cannabis Scene

California operates the world’s largest legal cannabis market — with $29 billion in cumulative sales since 2020, according to state numbers. Yet the state only captures less than two-thirds of the total market, while illegal operations flourish.

“We have our legal cannabis industry retailers following all the rules, following all the laws, paying the taxes in competition with people who just don’t have to deal with any of that,” Mandelman said at a press conference on Monday. “It’s important to provide new pathways for the legal industry to survive and thrive.”

Assemblymember Matt Haney speaks during a press conference in Union Square, San Francisco, on Feb. 18, 2025, announcing legislation to increase nightlife in Downtown San Francisco to help the recovery of the neighborhood. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

Assemblymember Matt Haney, who authored the state law, said he’s supported efforts like this since Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis for recreational use in California since 2016.

“If we don’t innovate and adapt like we are doing today, we risk watching California’s legal cannabis industry continue to collapse,” Haney said. “This has tremendous value in jobs and revenue for our state.”

Will Dolan, owner of cannabis businesses in the Outer Sunset and Mission districts, said local legislation will allow him and other community members to have “a space at the crossroads of cannabis and hospitality.”

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