A brand new cannabis marketplace will be coming to the Sunset District in early 2022, according to a recent application filed with the state of California.
Sponsored by project director and cannabis equity advocate Bill Dolan, the new marketplace is an exciting new take on cannabis retail that promises to put equity at the forefront of the conversation. Dubbed 560 Valencia after its address, the project is expected to be a 5,000 sq feet cannabis retail store between 16th and 17th streets.
Dolan has been an advocate for cannabis equity for over 15 years, moving to California in 2001 to get a medical prescription to treat a degenerative healing disability. It was there where he witnessed hundreds of people (including himself) being unlawfully arrested for legal possession of cannabis. Now, as the push for full federal legalization has expanded over the years, Dolan wants to make sure that the new opportunities provided by legalization don’t pass by the people who were most severely punished by the drug war.
For this new project, Dolan has assembled a team of equity advocates to help him achieve these goals, including DCCX co-founder Ivan Castro and Cyntivee founder Cynthis Villamizar. Together, the team is well-equipped to ensure that 560 Valencia will become an integral asset to the community.
Part of achieving this vision includes creating 40-50 jobs with above-market wages, prioritizing the hiring of Mission residents who have been unfairly burdened by the war on drugs. The project also seeks to dedicate rent-free commercial retail incubation space to applicants who meet the Office of Cannabis‘ eligibility criteria, as well as provide education and professional development to qualifying residents in the neighborhood.
While the team’s flagship store will open at 560 Valencia, What Now San Francisco was able to confirm that the team will also be opening an outpost at 4033A Judah Street that will feature 1,275 sq. feet of space for safe and legal cannabis consumption.
Though plans are still moving forward, expect 560 Valencia and its 4033A Judah Street outpost to be operational by early 2022.
