06 Apr San Pablo Could Approve Previously Rejected Dispensary Proposal

By Samantha Kennedy

A third cannabis dispensary in San Pablo could get the backing it needs to operate in the city, less than a month after another got approval.

At its Monday meeting, the City Council is expected to consider overturning a rejection by the Planning Commission for a proposed dispensary at 14501 San Pablo Ave. The dispensary, if approved, would also be the third located near a place of worship.

Embarc, the applicant, is proposing a 2,120 square foot retail location with plans to staff the store entirely with residents. A majority of planning commissioners rejected the applicant’s conditional use permit in February, saying that it would be “detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, and general welfare” of nearby community members, according to a revised resolution adopted by the commission. The site is within short walking distance of two churches.

That was after staff drafted a proposed resolution that said commissioners would make findings that would say otherwise.

But the City Council’s proposed reversal of the decision agrees with staff’s initial proposal to approve the permit. The Monday resolution says that the project would not be detrimental to the area and be responsive to General Plan policies.

Commissioners approved the city’s first cannabis shop at 3550 San Pablo Dam Road from Off the Charts last year. That project, which is located near a Catholic church, did not face any public opposition.

And planning commissioners last month approved a conditional use permit for STIIIZY’s proposed location at 13401 San Pablo Ave. That site is across the street from the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County.

Around two dozen community members, most of them from the Islamic Society, came out against the site then.

Voters approved a cannabis retailer tax back in 2024 to generate new revenue for the city, imposing an up to 7% tax on gross receipts on retail shops.

In September 2025, council members gave the initial approval for three companies — Embarc, STIIIZY and Off the Charts — to apply for a cannabis retailer permit.

Cannabis retailers have to operate outside of “buffer” zones that include sensitive areas like schools.

The City Council meeting begins with a closed session at 5:30 p.m.; the regular start time is 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in council chambers at City Hall and can be viewed online via Zoom.