The San Pablo City Council voted this week to approve a conditional use permit for Embarc, a retail cannabis business, overturning a previous denial by the city’s Planning Commission.
The retail storefront will be located at 14501 San Pablo Ave., a 2,120-square-foot suite in Mission Plaza formerly occupied by a 7-Eleven. Embarc was the top-ranked applicant in a merit-based selection process authorized by the city after voters passed Measure M in 2024, which established a cannabis business license tax.
The City Council approved the cannabis retail store despite impassioned pushback from residents, educators and religious leaders at the hearing. Opponents are concerned about the cannabis store’s proximity to schools including Contra Costa College and fear it will negatively impact crime and lead to more drug use among youth.
Embarc CEO Lauren Carpenter pledged 1 percent of gross receipts to local investment and small business funds. She noted that their 17-store track record includes high security to prevent youth access, featuring two-stage ID checks, police-accessible camera monitoring, and “fully banked” operations to minimize cash on-site.
The store will employ unionized workers under a collective bargaining agreement with UFCW Local 5.
While the Planning Commission had previously determined the project would detrimentally impact the “health, safety, and general welfare” of the neighborhood, the City Council found that the applicant met all established land use standards and buffer requirements.
City staff stated the location complies with current municipal ordinances, which require a 600-foot buffer from K-12 schools.
Embarc was one of three companies (including STIIIZY and Off the Charts) chosen by the city to apply for permits. Last month, the Planning Commission approved STIIIZY’s plan to operate at 13041 San Pablo Ave., at the corner of Rheem Avenue. Off the Charts was the first to get approval and is currently open for business at 3550 San Pablo Dam Road (Plaza Sobrante).