STIIIZY San Pablo gets green light from planning commission

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The San Pablo Planning Commission this week approved a STIIIZY cannabis dispensary at 13041 San Pablo Ave,, situated at the corner of Rheem Avenue. The approval involves renovating a 7,639-square-foot vacant building that formerly housed a church and a door showroom. STIIIZY secured this location through a competitive process following the 2024 passage of Measure M, which permits up to three cannabis retailers in the city. The company obtained an operator permit on March 19 after reviews by the police department and city attorney. Officials noted the project will occupy a long-vacant space and generate new tax revenue. The commission granted approval despite opposition from community members and representatives of the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County, which operates a mosque across the street. Residents and mosque members expressed concerns regarding the dispensary's proximity to their facility and local schools. Critics specifically highlighted potential traffic impacts and the visibility of cannabis retail to youth. City staff said the location maintains all required legal distances from schools and other cannabis businesses.  The project remains subject to appeal to the City Council. The plans have STIIIZY operating on the ground floor while keeping the second floor closed to the public. The site plan includes a secured lobby for mandatory identification checks, updated landscaping, and new exterior paint. Security measures developed with the San Pablo Police Department include 24-hour high-definition surveillance with a live feed for law enforcement. The building will also feature reinforced interior walls and exterior bollards to prevent vehicle intrusions. An automated online ordering and pickup system will be implemented to minimize customer wait times. STIIIZY expects to hire 15 to 25 employees and is unionized with the UFCW. The company committed to a community benefit fund consisting of 1 percent  of gross revenue to support local initiatives. The shop plans to operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offer a variety of pre-packaged products including flower, extracts, vaporizers, and edibles.
STIIIZY has received planning commission approval to operate in this vacant property at San Pablo and Rheem avenues (Photo credit: Google Maps 2024)

The San Pablo Planning Commission this week approved a STIIIZY cannabis dispensary at 13041 San Pablo Ave,, situated at the corner of Rheem Avenue.

The approval involves renovating a 7,639-square-foot vacant building that formerly housed a church and a door showroom. STIIIZY secured this location through a competitive process following the 2024 passage of Measure M, which permits up to three cannabis retailers in the city. The company obtained an operator permit on March 19 after reviews by the police department and city attorney. Officials noted the project will occupy a long-vacant space and generate new tax revenue.

The commission granted approval despite opposition from community members and representatives of the Islamic Society of West Contra Costa County, which operates a mosque nearby. Residents and mosque members expressed concerns regarding the dispensary’s proximity to their facility and local schools. Critics specifically highlighted potential traffic impacts and the visibility of cannabis retail to youth.

City staff said the location maintains all required legal distances from schools and other cannabis businesses. 

The project remains subject to appeal to the City Council.

The plans have STIIIZY operating on the ground floor while keeping the second floor closed to the public. The site plan includes a secured lobby for mandatory identification checks, updated landscaping, and new exterior paint. Security measures developed with the San Pablo Police Department include 24-hour high-definition surveillance with a live feed for law enforcement. The building will also feature reinforced interior walls and exterior bollards to prevent vehicle intrusions. An automated online ordering and pickup system will be implemented to minimize customer wait times.

STIIIZY expects to hire 15 to 25 employees and is unionized with the UFCW. The company committed to a community benefit fund consisting of 1 percent  of gross revenue to support local initiatives. The shop plans to operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offer a variety of pre-packaged products including flower, extracts, vaporizers, and edibles.

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