The legalization of cannabis in California has touched off a wave of unionization efforts across the state, but the movement has been slow in San Jose—a city that has been iffy about growing its small weed industry. According to Jim Araby, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 strategic campaign director, only one of...
San Jose council review: Billboards, cannabis
Pot dispensaries expand. Digital billboards are approved. The new mayor’s term could be shorter and then extended. Here’s what went down at the Feb. 15 San Jose City Council meeting. Mayoral election ballot measure San Jose voters will soon decide if mayoral elections should take place in presidential election years. The City Council voted 10-1 to...
Cannabis could be coming to San Jose retail centers
San Jose cannabis enthusiasts may be starting the year off on a high. On Wednesday, the Planning Commission approved recommendations to change zoning laws for cannabis retailers that would allow up to 21 new dispensaries in commercial locations around the city. Sixteen dispensaries are allowed under current city regulations. Under the new policy, 37 total...
San Jose entrepreneur pushes city to allow cannabis events
A San Jose entrepreneur wants the city to expand its horizons and allow special events at museums, concerts and comedy clubs where adults can smoke, drink or eat cannabis products. Fernando Alvarez, founder of VaporTent Lounges, said the city is missing out on an economic policy he’s helped other California cities craft. One that allows organizers...
San Jose to study creating cannabis equity program
After months of discussion, San Jose officials have a timeline for conducting a report which will document residents’ experiences with cannabis-related crimes and barriers to entering the legal market. The findings could determine how the city will use more than $550,000 from the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control to create a cannabis equity program. Equity programs can...
San Jose cannabis deliveries and pickups skyrocket during pandemic
While San Jose businesses struggled and shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, one industry had its best year yet: cannabis. And local retailers say delivery services had a lot to do with it. According to San Jose Police Department Division Manager Wendy Sollazzi, tax revenue from cannabis sales is expected to provide the city with $17...
Will cannabis come to retail centers in San Jose after another delay?
If you’re looking for a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, you have 16 to choose from. But you won’t be able to find one next to a CVS or your favorite restaurant: By city ordinance, all dispensaries are located in industrial zones instead of with other retail in places like strip malls. The San Jose City...
San Jose: Black-owned cannabis businesses move to front of the shelf
As the country grapples with structural racism and ensuring equity in Black communities, a San Jose cannabis company is helping people of color — many of whom were targeted in drug wars — in a new way. Harborside this month launched an initiative to highlight Black-owned cannabis brands such as Oakland Extracts, the Congo Club,...
San Jose gets grant to look deeper at local cannabis industry equity
When San Jose opened its doors to the recreational cannabis industry in 2018, officials hoped those most hurt by its criminalization for decades would make up a big portion of the entrepreneurs that would benefit from its legalization. But data shows that though people of color were most likely to be cited, fined and jailed...
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