Cannabis businesses operating in Redwood City are getting a bit of a financial break. Changes in the management of the city's cannabis program is cutting down annual fees for the six business operators by 34%, an adjustment approved by the Redwood City Council at its board meeting May 19.
Previously, cannabis businesses were paying $49,129 in annual fees to maintain and renew their permit to operate in the city. Now, the fees will total $32,496. Business operators shared their support for the reduction in fees through written public comments. Josh Lewis, government relations manager at Embarc, a retail cannabis business operated at 1870 Broadway, shared his appreciation for the thoughtful updated fees.
"Redwood City continues to set the bar for thoughtful, responsive governance," Lewis said in a written public comment. "We're proud to be operating in a city that prioritizes transparency, accountability and effective oversight."
The cut is a reflection of streamlined procedures, the removal of outdated fees, and a shift in the program's management, said Economic Development Director Amanda Anthony.
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