MARTINEZ, CA (MPG) - Embarc will open a cannabis store adjacent to the Martinez Adult School, and less than 1,000 feet from Alhambra High School (AHS). 

The city council chamber overflowed with vehement opposition to the location, not the cannabis. However, on Jan. 15, Vice Mayor Mark Ross, Lara DeLaney and Debbie McKillop voted to grant the last Martinez Commercial Cannabis Operating permit to Embarc. Mayor Rob Schroder was absent and Councilwoman Noralea Gipner abstained. 

For more than two hours, people spoke in support of Martinez Unified School District objections, providing multiple reasons why 3502 Alhambra Avenue is wrong for a cannabis store. 

It is contiguous to MUSD-owned property and on a main thoroughfare heavily trafficked by pedestrian students. MUSD uses its property for an overflow AHS parking. 

One parent appealed to Debbie McKillop, a council member with children. He said teens do not have good judgment and begged them to deny the permit. “Don’t vote ‘yes’ because you can… Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” he remarked. 

Craig Lazzaretti talked about the “teen vaping” and the “current substance crisis.” He said he had seen the consequences when working in law enforcement. Others argued allowing the sale of cannabis across from a high school was “socially irresponsible.”

School district officials said they were unaware the former bookstore was a potential cannabis business location until they were noticed by the city on Nov. 10, 2019.  

At that point, Embarc was one of five such businesses vying for a permit at various locations in the city. MUSD Superintendent of Schools CJ Cammack attended the Nov. 20, 2019 council meeting and declared the district’s strong opposition to the Embarc location. He implored the council to delay their choice, and consider the impact on the students and MUSD. The mayor was recused at that meeting and the remainder of the council chose Embarc over the other four applicants.

Since then, Embarc has attempted to mitigate MUSD concerns by adding another MUSD representative to their community advisory board, increasing surveillance to 100 feet around the perimeter, will fortifying the back fence, and increase security video coverage. They already had agreed to provide a License plate reader. (Ironically, there were privacy concerns about 360-degree video that would include most of the teens on their way to Alhambra High School.)

Cammack said the problem is the location, and Embarc representatives said the location cannot be changed now.

There was general support for the business because of convenience for cannabis users and the potential economic gains. Those benefits include increased tax revenue, union jobs for the building rehabilitation and regular employees, and the company commitment to support local non-profits and a community advisory board.

Some asked how city staff did not see this coming and how they rated the businesses. Christina Ratcliffe, community and economic development director said a staff committee, consisting of herself, Captain Johnson of the Martinez Police Department, the finance and public works directors, the City Planner, a city consultant from HdL had compared the business proposals using a point system and Embarc had received the most points. 

The council eliminated some initial applicants because they did not want a cannabis business on Main Street, Ferry Street or downtown. It also appears security was a major consideration. Authentic 925, had a similar score, more money and more experience in the business but perhaps was eliminated because its location was closer to HWY 4, making a criminal getaway easier.

Embarc was unique because of strong support from Ross, local unions, and community goodwill for Congressman George Miller (now deceased). Miller’s son, also named George Miller, is part of the Embarc organization, and he said his family reputation stands behind the firm.