AI-written summary synthesised from 2 independent reports, listed below. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the originals.
ABSTRACT

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D) has suspended her bill, AB 2697, which would have permitted licensed cannabis retailers and microbusinesses with storefronts in California to sell marijuana products to customers through drive-thru windows on their premises, according to Marijuana Moment. Pellerin told the outlet she was not confident the measure had enough support to pass the full Senate and reach the governor's desk this year.

New York Post

California assemblymember places marijuana dispensary drive-thru bill on hold, citing uncertain Senate vote count

California assemblymember places marijuana dispensary drive-thru bill on hold, citing uncertain Senate vote count
Aug 31, 2026, 5:00 PM

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D) has suspended her bill, AB 2697, which would have permitted licensed cannabis retailers and microbusinesses with storefronts in California to sell marijuana products to customers through drive-thru windows on their premises, according to Marijuana Moment. Pellerin told the outlet she was not confident the measure had enough support to pass the full Senate and reach the governor's desk this year.

Context

AB 2697 had passed the full California Assembly and advanced through a Senate committee before Pellerin decided to pause it, according to Marijuana Moment. The bill would have required cannabis businesses to obtain approval from local jurisdictions before adding a drive-thru option, preserving what Pellerin described as local authority over the decision.

Under the measure's terms, drive-thru sales would have been required to take place through a fixed-pane security window equipped with a security drawer or similar secure transfer mechanism forming part of a building on the licensed premises, according to Marijuana Moment.

Pellerin cited several reasons for authoring the legislation, including limited transaction options for cannabis consumers with mobility issues or disabilities, existing service-area restrictions on home delivery, and a goal of expanding California's legal cannabis marketplace, according to Marijuana Moment.

A representative of the California Narcotic Officers' Association testified in opposition to the bill this session, arguing that drive-thru windows would make it more difficult for dispensary workers to verify customers' ages for compliance purposes and to detect signs of current intoxication, according to Marijuana Moment.

Under a policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, dispensaries in California may already offer curbside pickup, according to Marijuana Moment.

The New York Post reported that California lawmakers were working through a large volume of legislation on the final day of the legislative session, with hundreds of bills requiring votes before the deadline to send measures to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

All Perspectives
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (bill sponsor): Pellerin told Marijuana Moment that cannabis retailers lack a common and accessible transaction path available to consumers of other retail categories, including fast food, pharmacies, banks, to-go alcohol sales at restaurants, and a limited number of liquor stores. She said cannabis consumers with mobility issues or other disabilities have limited options for obtaining cannabis without leaving their vehicles, and that home delivery, while legal, carries service-area restrictions. She stated she authored AB 2697 because it retained local authority while enhancing the consumer experience, increasing safety at cannabis retailers, and helping expand California's legal cannabis marketplace. She said the bill had great momentum but that she was not confident it had the votes and decided it was best to put it on hold and continue the work at a later time.
California Narcotic Officers' Association (opponent): A representative of the association testified this session that drive-thru windows would make it harder for dispensary workers to check customers' IDs for age compliance or to detect signs of current intoxication. The representative argued that the bill prioritizes speed of sale over public safety while undermining current safeguards designed to prevent illegal sales and protect public safety, according to Marijuana Moment.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The specific vote tallies or names of senators whose opposition contributed to the bill's pause are not established by either source.
  • No response or position from Gov. Gavin Newsom regarding AB 2697 appears in either source.
  • The timeline for when Pellerin intends to revive the bill is not specified.
  • The views of licensed cannabis retailers or industry associations on the bill are not reported.
  • Whether any local jurisdictions had already taken positions on permitting drive-thru cannabis sales is not addressed.
  • The full scope of the Senate committee vote is not detailed in either source.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. Marijuana Moment — original — by Tom Angell
  2. New York Post — by Josh Koehn

Read the original at Marijuana Moment

Related Coverage