The city of Redwood City will have among its various establishments four new stores for the sale of cannabis "marijuana" and related products or derivatives of the plant, where users and consumers can purchase the product directly, without waiting for it to be shipped to their homes.
Thus, last March 28, City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz issued permits for four retail cannabis businesses in Redwood City.
They are Juva Retail RWC Inc, located at 2301 Broadway, Responsible and Compliant Retail Redwood City LLC, at 1870 Broadway, Runway Services Inc, at 928 Whipple Ave, and MMD Redwood City Inc, at 1764 Broadway.
The permits were issued after a multi-year process to develop local regulations for cannabis businesses in Redwood City.
In November 2020, the City Council authorized the city manager to issue commercial cannabis permits to up to six retail businesses. City regulations allow the businesses in Redwood City zoning districts with general commercial use.
The City Council approved a rigorous, merit-based, staff-driven permitting process for cannabis applications to ensure that high-quality commercial cannabis retail operators are thoroughly reviewed and sufficiently qualified before receiving permits.
All applications for retail cannabis in stores were required to provide relevant information, including neighborhood compatibility, safety and security plans, and community benefit plans.
"After a meticulous review of the 28 applications received, these top applicants meet the established criteria for operating cannabis retail businesses in Redwood City," said Stevenson Diaz.
"The City carefully designed the cannabis program to incorporate best practices and community feedback. We have seen strong community support through voter approval of cannabis-related tax measures, a citywide survey and public input as we develop the program. I believe these businesses will be assets to the Redwood City business community," he added.
In addition to providing much needed additional revenue as the City faces projected budget shortfalls, each business will contribute to local organizations.
All retail cannabis storefront businesses in Redwood City must fund a 4.0 percent general tax on gross receipts paid directly to the City - this is in addition to the state's 15 percent tax and the City's nearly 10 percent sales tax.
Cannabis storefront retail businesses in Redwood City are expected to generate between $500,000 and $750,000 in revenue to fund city services in the first full year of operation.
In addition, selected permit holders will provide a robust package of community benefits in their first year of operation, including about $600,000 in monetary contributions from the community on an annual basis to a variety of Redwood City groups and organizations and more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service.
The City Manager may issue up to two additional permits, for a total of six permits, under the City's program.
All cannabis operators in Redwood City are subject to regular inspections, audits and monitoring.
In turn, all video and security surveillance footage is made available to the Police Department to monitor commercial activity and deter any possible criminal activity.
All cannabis retailers in Redwood City must verify identification and ensure that customers are 21 years of age or older - 18 or older if a medical patient.
In addition, cannabis storefront retail businesses must be a minimum of 600 feet from existing and licensed schools, daycare centers, public parks, youth centers, and libraries.
The city allowed cannabis for medical use with delivery starting in 2015.
Following state legislation allowing and regulating adult-use cannabis, Redwood City began developing the city's cannabis program in 2017. The program was developed over many years, with multiple opportunities for the community and residents to submit feedback.
Since 2019,cannabis businesses have been allowed in Redwood City with no storefront ?delivery? within the City limits.
Three delivery businesses currently operate, and the city said in a statement that it has not experienced any complaints or observed an increase in criminal activity related to these operations.
For more information on cannabis regulations in Redwood City, interested parties can visit the following website www.RedwoodCity.org/Cannabis.
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