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RIVERSIDE, CA—- In honor of Juneteenth, Music Changing Lives is thrilled to invite the Inland SoCal out to the first Block Party of the summer, showcasing an evening of music, art, culture, and inspiration, on Saturday, June 15, 2024.  This event will be taking place between Tios Tacos and the Civil Rights Institute in downtown Riverside, located at 3933 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This year there will be a live mural by L’Expression Creative Studios, and many more to be announced, along with Live performances by AJ McQueen, JSQ Sax, and more to come.  Enjoy Tios Tacos, Tikal Bakery, and many other merchants such as Divine 1 Clothing and Muse Maven Collective.  Rounding off the lineup on the one’s and two’s is DJ Achilles Aurelius.

“We are humbled to host this concert in the heart of downtown Riverside,” said Josiah Bruny, CEO and Founder of Music Changing Lives. “Music has always been a powerful tool for change and expression, and this event underscores our commitment to fostering community and honoring the legacy of those who fought for justice and equality.  We want to continue to uplift our young people and inspire them to make history!”

MCL is inviting the whole #InlandSoCal to come out and hang out, have fun, enjoy music, art, food, a beer and wine garden, and more.

Vendor opportunities are still available until June 10th.   To purchase tickets and/or to sign up to become a vendor, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-art-speaks-tickets-867405572417.

Join the community in having a great time with one another and lift the community’s spirits!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, held its inaugural Fast Pitch Competition aimed at investing in Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Twenty-eight applicants submitted their fast pitch videos, with the hopes of being selected as one of twelve finalists to pitch their businesses for grand prize investments of $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 cash prizes.

Twelve powerhouse entrepreneurs were selected as finalists based on the criteria outlined prior to the video submissions. Submissions needed to speak to their brand, the business model, value proposition, their competition/market, business model, marketing and sales strategy, just to name a few.  Businesses pitched ranged from a juice bar, wellness brands, event artisans, a seamstress, and loose-leaf tea.  Each finalist shared their business pitch, followed by questions and comments from the judges within a 15-minute time frame.

“Being a judge for the Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit Center’s first annual Fast-pitch Competition was truly inspiring,” said Elvia Rodriguez, owner of Goldamity Insurance Services.  She further expressed, “It was incredible to hear about the different businesses, ranging from newly established ventures signing their first client, to seasoned enterprises looking to scale and advertise.”

This competition provided the unique opportunity for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs to showcase their business ventures, receive invaluable feedback from industry leaders, and compete for a chance to win significant funding and resources to scale their businesses.  The panel of diverse judges were precisely selected to cover a gamut of industries and professional acumen to ensure fair and consistent rating on the finalists’ pitches.  The judges consisted of Angela Myles, CEO of VMA Consulting Group and host of “The Fundable CEO” podcast; Vanessa Casillas, CEO of Changing Lives Staffing; Marla A. Matime founder and CEO of The MAR.M Agency; Elvia Rodriquez, owner of Goldamity Insurance Services; Kimberly Calvin, Councilwoman for San Bernardino Ward 6 and Director of Akoma Unity Center; and Hilda Kennedy, founder and President of AmPac Business Capital.

At the end of the competition, third place business investment of $3,000 went to Roxanne Williams of Roxie Brown Town Productions.  Second place of $5,000 went to Daisy Munguia, CEO and founder of Mastery Blueprint.  The grand prize winner of the $10,000 investment was awarded to La Shaunn Spivey-Angeletti, owner of Dream Cultivators, where she pitched her Reflect, Refresh, Retreats which provides other women entrepreneurs with a chance to get away on a destination retreat to allow for them to heal and release their stresses in order to show up fully for their own lives.

“The competition was a phenomenal learning experience and incredibly empowering. Every participant had such impressive pitches that I found myself wanting to invest in, buy, or sign up for their programs. It was truly inspiring to see so much innovation and dedication, said Daisy Munguia, owner of Mastery Blueprint and winner of the $5k investment.  When asked what her immediate future goals are with her investment, she stated, “With Mastery Blueprint, my goal is to start making a tangible impact on the warehouse industry. I hope to make professional development a new norm for frontline employees, elevating their skills and well-being, and transforming the industry from within.”

Vanessa Casillas left the finalists and attendees with a word of encouragement, “You will struggle no matter where you work.  As an Entrepreneur, you get to choose who you struggle for.”

The BBOP Center’s BBOP Business Academy has ongoing open enrollment.  Black and Brown women entrepreneurs are encouraged to take the courses to learn step by step, how to build, grow, and scale their businesses. To learn more about the BBOP Center or to enroll into the BBOP Business Academy, please visit www.bbopcenter.com, call (909) 530-2267 or email info@bbopcenter.com.

By Bo Tefu, Lila Brown and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman joined hands last week to launch of the first federally recognized Women’s Business Center at the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) in South Los Angeles to help small businesses start, grow and develop in the city.

Bass highlighted the partnership Los Angeles has with the federal government and emphasized her administration’s work to open Los Angeles for business by making more resources like the new Women’s Business Center offers available to more Angelenos.

“This beautifully renovated building will provide a dedicated space for business experts and consultants to meet one on one with entrepreneurs and small business owners to help their business launch, grow and thrive,” said Mayor Bass during the ribbon cutting ceremony. She reminded guests that not only the Olympics, but another Super Bowl and All-Star Week is coming to the city and local business owners should be prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead.

“As the business center develops, we need to partner with organizations like Vermont Slauson to make sure that these events don’t just come to LA and pass us by, but that these events help serve as a catalyst so that our small businesses become larger businesses and everyone in the area prospers from the world coming to this center,” said Bass.

The official opening was among initiatives the mayor led this week to support businesses in Los Angeles through LA Optimized 2.0, a program created to help small businesses build and strengthen their digital presence along with LApreneur, a new online learning platform created to equip entrepreneurs with key skills and information to succeed.

Bass also encouraged residents, small business owners, and other residents who were impacted to apply for the low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration that were recently made available following Mayor Bass’ calls for federal support.

“We are committed to investing in women through our Women’s Business Centers, where knowledge and connections to capital can be deployed to power that next generation of founders, said SBA Administrator Guzman following remarks from Mayor Bass. “The SBA is committed to making sure that they have the funding that they need. We have instituted transformations across our policy, loan, investment, and bonding programs to ensure that the $52 billion that’s put out from SBA every year goes to the people who are starting businesses at the highest rates and that our check writers look like the businesses who are starting businesses at the highest rates. We’ve seen a 70% increase in our lending to women.”

“When women-owned businesses succeed, our economy succeeds,” stated U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) in a press release following the event.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation’s launch of its Women’s Business Center, located here in South LA, which will support women entrepreneurs throughout every step of their business journey,” she added.

The South LA Women’s Business Center (WBC) is the first women’s ?business center in South LA and Watts. It will offer support to Black and Latino women ?entrepreneurs.

Marva Smith Battle-Bey founded VSEDC and led the organization for 35 years before her passing in 2016.

By Bo Tefu, Lila Brown and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

California State Supreme Court Justices last week heard oral arguments from attorneys representing both sides in a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Proposition 22.

Prop 22 is the controversial gig worker law that voters approved in a 2022 ballot measure that reversed AB 5, a law that went into effect in 2020 that mandated tech companies to reclassify independent contractors as full-time W-2 employees.

During the court hearing, advocates questioned whether the initiative conflicts with the Legislatures’ constitutional power to implement a complete worker’s compensation system for gig workers. Currently, Prop 22 states that independent contractors for gig companies are ineligible for workers’ compensation.

Digital tech companies, including Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash supported Prop 22.

John Logan, a professor of labor and employment at San Francisco State University, said the state supreme court ruling will have national significance.

“Everyone is watching what the California Supreme Court will decide and whether or not these companies have a right to classify their workers as independent contractors,” Logan said.

Tech companies Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash spent $200 million backing the initiative and helped reclassify 1.4 million drivers as contractors rather than employees.

California labor groups argue that Prop 22 is unconstitutional and goes against state law since the legislature codified workers’ compensation in 1911. The state’s largest labor union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) argued against Prop 22 alongside four drivers affected by the lawsuit.

However, gig companies Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the cities and states that classify drivers as employees following their large investment in the initiative.

During the hearing, company representatives from Uber said that removing the law would be, “devastating for thousands of drivers and couriers who turn to Uber for flexible work.”

“Millions of Californians would see major service reductions and cost increases,” Uber representatives said.

Following the arguments, the court justices have 90 days to deliberate, take a preliminary vote, and then issue a final ruling on the lawsuit.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Amid escalating tensions stemming from clashing and entrenched opinions about the conflict in Gaza – and the ongoing chaos on college campuses nationwide — Jewish American Californians paused to celebrate Jewish American Heritage month this May.

On college campus and in neighborhoods across California, many Jewish Americans from different backgrounds representing various perspectives about the conflict in the Middle East reported fearing for their lives and safety.

Despite making up only about 3% of the California’s population, the Jewish community has faced a disproportionate share of religiously motivated hate crimes, with a surge in antisemitic attacks in recent years. According to the Anti-Defamation League Central Pacific Region, antisemitism has spiked in the U.S by about 140% and by a staggering 202% in Northern California Alone.

“It’s been a challenging time for our community. It’s been a dark and difficult seven months,” said Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, referring to the period of time since Oct. 7,2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and killed nearly 1,200 people.

Since that attack, more than 30,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli retaliative attacks.

Emhoff, a former entertainment industry lawyer based in Los Angeles before moving to Washington DC, was speaking at the White House on May 20 at a Rose Garden ceremony organized to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.

“I know a lot of us are feeling alone, afraid, and in pain,” Emhoff continued.  “There is an epidemic of hate, including a crisis of antisemitism, in our country and around the world.  We see it on our streets, our college campuses, and our places of worship.”

Earlier in May, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring it Jewish American Heritage Month.

“California is home to the second largest Jewish population in the U.S., with thriving communities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and other parts of the state,” Newsom said in a statement.

“This month, we recognize the enduring faith, perseverance, and resilience of the Jewish people and lift up the many ways that Jewish Americans enrich our culture, politics, civil society, and countless other areas.”

“Amid brazen displays of antisemitic hate, California is taking action to protect our communities and ensure that future generations never forget the lessons of the past, including the deliberate murder of approximately six million European Jews during the Holocaust,” Newsom continued.

The California Legislative Jewish Caucus (CLJC) is advancing legislation its members authored to help combat the increase in antisemitic sentiments and violence.

Members of the CLJC recently announced their priority legislation for the 2024 legislative season.

Those bills, according to the CLJC, seek to protect Jewish students on campus, better educate young people about the Holocaust and modern forms of antisemitism, and address the rise in hate crimes. The Jewish Caucus is also working to implement key strategies outlined in the recently released Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism.

Additionally, the state has launched the CA vs. Hate online resource, a platform that allows victims and witnesses of hate acts to anonymously report them.

“I am proud that the Jewish Caucus is laser-focused on legislation that prioritizes combatting this hate and making our state a safer, more compassionate, and more understanding place for all people,” said Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), Vice Chair of the CLJC.

“The Jewish Caucus stands united and fully committed to working with other communities to advance our legislative package and ensure that the California Dream is achievable for all of us,” Becker said.

The following bills are included in the Jewish Caucus’s priority package:

AB 2925: Including Antisemitism in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  Author: Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale)

AB 2925 requires that any campus that chooses to provide DEI training must include training about discrimination against the groups most likely to be targets of hate, including the Jewish community.

AB 3024: Stop Hate Littering Act Author: Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego)AB 3024 seeks to prevent the distribution of hateful flyers, posters, or symbols that are intended to terrorize vulnerable communities.

SB 1277: Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education Author: Sen. Henry Stern (D-Malibu)

SB 1277 will enshrine the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education as a statewide professional development program for teachers under the Department of Education. The Collaborative will focus on the Holocaust and other genocides, as well as identifying and confronting hate and antisemitism in modern society. 

SB 1287: Protecting Free Speech at Institutions of Higher Education Author: Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda)

SB 1287 will require colleges and universities to update and enforce student codes of conduct to better prevent violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination that is intended to interfere with free speech and other constitutionally protected rights.

“Jewish leaders are on the frontlines fighting antisemitism through education, advocacy, and building bridges with other communities.  It’s because of your leadership that we will dismantle prejudice and ensure Jewish safety,” Emhoff said.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the?California State Library?in partnership with the?California Department of Social Services?and the?California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs?as part of the?Stop the Hate?program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to?CA vs Hate.

By California Black Media Staff

Seventy Black Women will be “crowned” when the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) presents the 2024 California Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards Celebration. The event will be held at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre in L.A. on June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

“The Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards honor and celebrate the remarkable achievements of California Black Women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, CABWCEI president and CEO.

“These trailblazers serve as inspiring role models and catalysts for positive change in our communities,” she said.

CABWCEI is a non-profit that is focused on impacting and improving the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state by partnering with corporate, social, not for profit and advocacy organizations to develop programs and initiatives designed to dismantle systemic and economic barriers Black women and girls face.

The Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards is the first program that highlights Black Women leaders from various parts of California. Honorees will receive an award and a bejeweled crown to represent their royalty and authority, said Todd Griffin.

Cedric “The Entertainer” and his wife Lorna Kyles, event co-chairs, will kick off the show. In addition, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and other dignitaries will attend the ceremony.

The evening will consist of three segments: A VIP Reception where more than 32 women will be recognized; an Awards Ceremony that will honor more than 38 Legacy Trailblazers and include top entertainment; and an Afterparty with acclaimed deejays, dancing, signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres. For tickets, visit TrailblazerHallofFame.eventbrite.com.

Honorees are from multiple disciplines ranging from advocacy, corporate and civil rights to legal, entertainment and labor. They have all significantly impacted and improved the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout the state.

Inaugural events were held in 2022 in both Northern and Southern California and honored 100 women, including individuals such as Bass, U.S. Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA-43); Tia Orr, Executive Director, SEIU California; Crystal Crawford, Executive Director of the Western Center on Law and Poverty; and Yolanda Richardson, CEO, San Francisco Health Plan. This year’s event will combine both regions.

The California Trailblazers Hall of Fame Awards Celebration supports the work of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute which focuses on improving the lives of Black Women and Girls by uplifting their voices and the issues that impact them. CABWCEI has three core programs – The CA Black Women’s Think Tank, Conversations for Black Women and Protect Black Women and Girls.

2024 CA Black Women’s Trailblazer Hall of Fame Awardees include:

For more information, visit www.CABlackWomensCollective.org.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

A delegation of youth and college students added a charitable touch when they participated in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) California-Hawaii State Conference (Cal-Hi State Conference) annual “Legislative Day” in Sacramento on May 20.

The young members of NAACP branches from all over the state attended the daylong event to learn about public policy and participate in the legislative process. They also discussed legislation focused on reparations and environmental justice.

The group’s benevolent gesture involved distributing packages of personal care and hygiene items to the less fortunate and unhoused population in the state capital.

The initiative is the brainchild of Zowee Williamson, the Housing Committee Chairperson for NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference’s Youth and College division.

“These are ‘blessing bags,’” said Williamson, a 15-year-old resident of Stockton. “They are about blessings for people who may need blessings. We wanted to provide resources that people could use to get off the streets. I just see a lot of people – old and young — on the streets who are in need. We look at our community and say, ‘What can we do?’”

The NAACP Stockton Branch’s Youth Council prepared the rose and blue-colored blessing packages in advance and stored them in boxes while participating in the event’s orientation held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

All of the members spent the morning going through orientation before visiting lawmakers at the State Capitol and the nearby Capitol Annex Swing Space where temporary offices are set up for legislators while the 73-year-old State Capitol is undergoing a facelift.

“This (is) a great day for all friends and members of the NAACP to gather together,” said Venus Butler, a member of the NAACP Branch of Los Angeles. “This also a day we could recognize the 70th-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Brown v. the Board of Education.”

The young members dropped off some of the blessing packages to individuals they met as they walked to the facilities three blocks away and handed out a few more on their way back to the hotel.

“It was only about 100 bags but hopefully at future events like this we can give out more,” Williamson said.

According to the National Chapter of the NAACP, the Youth Council and Junior Youth Council are part of the oldest civil rights organization’s local units that provide training and leadership development for young adults under the age of 25.

The Youth and College Division of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference is known to perform community work across the state by organizing a variety of workshops, including the thought-provoking “Stop the Hate Mock Trial,” a Youth Focused Dinner, an informational Juvenile Justice Workshop, and a comprehensive Health Forum.

At the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference’s 36th Annual State Convention in San Francisco last October, Williamson said youth delegates also gave out blessing packages of personal items to the homeless – a popular program at her local branch in Stockton. l

Williamsons’ hope is to get all 57 branches in the state involved and potentially expand the program nationwide among other NAACP Youth Councils.

“It’s just a start,” she said. “Once we have more resources to build it up, we can help get people off the streets, out of the cold, away from pollution. The world will be a better place.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People California-Hawaii State Conference (NAACP Cal/Hi State Conference) hosted its annual “Legislative Day” at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space on May 20.

The day of activities is organized to inspire members to participate in the political process at the state level.

“NAACP CA-HI Day at the Capitol provides a platform for our branch members and youth leaders across California to partake in dynamic, collaborative sessions and dialogues with our state legislators who directly impact policy impacting communities of color,” said Rick Callender, President of the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference.

NAACP members attending the day-long event came from over 50 branches all over the state, including areas of the state with the highest Black populations: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Bernardino, Stockton, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco and Stockton.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) spoke on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus during the morning session. He explained the importance of the oldest civil rights organization, how it is essential to the Black community, and its effect on the legislative process.

“Let me just simply say that I appreciate each and every one of you because America would not be America if it wasn’t for the NAACP,” Gipson said. “I am grateful for the NAACP. Though there are only 12 members of the California Legislative Black Caucus, we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for you.”

The NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference advocates for legislative and policy reforms in areas critical to improving the lives of African Americans and all people who have been historically marginalized or underserved during legislative proceedings.

Representatives of Cal-Hi State Conference discussed six reparations and environmental justice priority bills it supports this legislative season at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento before the attendees visited the State Capitol in the afternoon to engage lawmakers.

The six bills are: Assembly Bill (AB) 1827, Low-Water User Protection Act; AB 3089, Formal Apology for Chattel Slavery; Senate Bill (SB) 1050, Racially Motivated Eminent Domain; SB 1403, California American Freedmen Affairs Agency; AB 1567,  Climate Resilience Bond Bills; and SB 867, a measure that proposes to fund projects that reduced fire risk and protects wetlands, waterways, coastal resources, and fish and wildlife populations.

Teneicia Herring, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Government Relations Specialist, and Carolyn Veal Hunter, the Cal-Hi Political Action chairperson, provided an overview of each bill, detailed how a bill becomes law and explained the role of a lobbyists.

CLBC members, Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) served as guest speakers at the orientation held at the Sheraton Hotel. After that, Callender led the large group, marching three blocks to the State Capitol and nearby Swing Space.

The spacious Capitol Annex Swing Space is a temporary home for legislators and staff while the 73-year-old State Capitol undergoes a $1.2 billion facelift. It is located at 1021 O Street in Sacramento.

“We made it where we were going to have an impact,” Callender said of members of the NAACP meeting with lawmakers. “We made sure that they understand what is important to us.”

Calendar, Cal-Hi State Conference’s Second Vice President Zephanii Smith-Eisenstat, and State Director Lujuana Bivens accompanied the NAACCP members to the Swing Space to meet and discuss bills with legislators and legislative staff.

“This (was) a jammed-packed week for the legislators as they were processing bills (in the Assembly and Senate),” Herring said. “The fact that they were taking their time to meet with us, we asked everyone to be respectful of their time.”

On Monday, June 10, the NAACP Cal-Hi State Conference will hold its  12th Annual Legacy Hall of Fame celebration  honoring our 2024 inductees, Civil Rights icon Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, and film actor Danny Glover.

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

The Mayor and City Council Have Appointed Rochelle Clayton as Acting City Manager on a Temporary Basis

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— In a special closed session meeting held on May 22, the San

Bernardino Mayor and City Council voted to exercise the severance provision in City Manager Charles Montoya’s employment agreement.

The City Attorney gave the closed session report at the end of the meeting saying, “By unanimous vote of the City Council the City has terminated Charles Montoya’s employment contract pursuant to Section 11.7 which is termination without cause. The council also voted to appoint Rochelle Clayton temporary acting city manager until the council takes further action. This action was taken by a 5-3 vote with Council Member Sanchez, Ibarra, and Alexander voting no.”

Montoya served the city for seven months.

Rochelle Clayton was hired in April 2024 as Deputy City Manager, overseeing the Public Works; Community Development and Housing; and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Departments.

Clayton is very familiar with San Bernardino as she grew up and raised her family in the City. Clayton also spent seventeen years with the County of San Bernardino in various finance administration roles, including as Deputy Chief.

For the past five years, Clayton served as Assistant City Manager of Menifee, overseeing the Police, Fire, Community Services, Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, and City Clerk departments.

In other past roles, she served as Deputy City Manager and Administrative Services Director for the City of Banning, the Chief Financial Officer for the West Valley Water District in Rialto, and the Finance Director for the City of La Habra Heights.

By Bo Tefu, Lila Brown and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

The California Assembly passed a bill that would legalize cannabis cafes, inspired by Amsterdam-style restaurants and clubs where marijuana is openly smoked.

If the bill passes in the Senate and is signed into law by the Governor, Assembly Bill (AB) 1775 would grant local governments the authority to approve cannabis clubs that make and sell non-cannabis food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) said he proposed the bill to benefit small businesses and help them expand their goods and services.

“This is a bill that supports our legal small businesses that just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing,” Haney said.

The bill allows small businesses to compete with the illegal drug market, Haney added.

“The illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed an earlier version of the bill last year to “protect smoke-free workplaces.” The updated version of the bill, however, separates cannabis consumption from other workspaces.

Haney is confident that Newsom will not veto the updated version of the bill. Under the new bill, consumers are prohibited from smoking cannabis in the back of restaurant kitchens and food prep areas to protect non-smoking employees.

Currently, California has four cannabis cafes in operation — two of them are in West Hollywood and the other two in Palm Springs. The cafes are similar to lounges and offer cannabis-infused snacks and prepackaged foods.

However, it is illegal for food establishments to offer alcohol and cannabis under the same roof.

The bill would give city officials the power to approve the cannabis lounges.