HomeMy WebLinkAboutC-20-110 Yerba Wellness RedactedApplicant (Entity) Information
Application Type
Proposed Location
Commercial Cannabis Business
Permit Application
C-20-110
Submitted On: Dec 04, 2020
Applicant
Daniel Sosa
Applicant (Entity) Name:
Main Event Holdings, LLC
DBA:
Yerba Wellness
Physical Address:
5657 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 272
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Zip Code:
90036
Primary Contact Same as Above?
Yes
Primary Contact Name:
Daniel Sosa
Primary Contact Title:
President
Primary Contact Phone:
Primary Contact Email:HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL IN THIS APPLICATION APPLIED FOR
ANY OTHER CANNABIS PERMIT IN THE CITY OF FRESNO?:
Yes
Select one or more of the following categories. For each
category, indicate whether you are applying for Adult-Use (“A”)
or/and Medicinal (“M”) or both
Both
Please make one selection for permit type. If making multiple
applications, please submit a new application for each permit
type and proposed location.
Permit Type
Retail (Storefront)
Business Formation Documentation:
Limited Liability Company
Property Owner Name:
De Santis Properties
Proposed Location Address:
514 N. Fulton Ave.
City:
Fresno
State:
CA
Zip Code:
93728
Property Owner Phone:
559-299-9836
Property Owner Email:Assessor's Parcel Number (APN):
452-275-12
Proposed Location Square Footage:
Supporting Information
Application Certification
Owner Information
2500
List all fictitious business names the applicant is operating under including the address where each business is located:
Yerba Wellness
Has the Applicant or any of its owners been the subject of any
administrative action, including but not limited to suspension,
denial, or revocation of a cannabis business license at any time
during the past three (3) years?
No
Is the Applicant or any of its owners currently involved in an
application process in any other jurisdiction?
Yes
If so, please list and explain:
Owner Daniel Sosa is in the application process for:
1. A cannabis retail license in Los Angeles, CA. The applying entity is Peace and Love, LLC.
2. A cannabis manufacturing and distribution license in Los Angeles, CA. The applying entity is Earth Blend, Inc.
3. A cannabis cultivation license in Lake County, CA. The applying entity is Double Golden Eagle, LLC.
I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury, on behalf of myself
and all owners, managers and supervisors identified in this
application that the statements and information furnished in this
application and the attached exhibits present the data and
information required for this initial evaluation to the best of my
ability, and that the facts, statements, and information
presented are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief. I understand that a misrepresentation of fact is cause for
rejection of this application, denial of the permit, or revocation
of a permit issued.
In addition, I understand that the filing of this application grants
the City of Fresno permission to reproduce submitted materials
for distribution to staff, Commission, Board and City Council
Members, and other Agencies to process the application.
Nothing in this consent, however, shall entitle any person to
make use of the intellectual property in plans, exhibits, and
photographs for any purpose unrelated to the City's
consideration of this application.
Furthermore, by submitting this application, I understand and
agree that any business resulting from an approval shall be
maintained and operated in accordance with requirements of
the City of Fresno Municipal Code and State law. Under penalty
of perjury, I hereby declare that the information contained in
within and submitted with the application is true, complete, and
accurate. Iunderstand that a misrepresentation of the facts is
cause for rejection of this application, denial of a permit or
revocation of an issued permit. A denial or revocation on these
grounds shall not be appealable (FMC 9-3319(d)).
Name and Digital Signature
true
Title
President
Please note: the issuance of a permit will be determined based
on the application you submit and any major changes to your
business or proposal (i.e. ownership, location, etc.) after your
application is submitted may result in a denial.
All applications submitted are considered public documents for
Public Records Act request purposes.
For details about the information required as part of the
application process, see the Application Procedures &
Guidelines, City of Fresno Municipal Code Article 33 and any
additional requirements to complete the application process. All
documents can be found online via this link.
For questions please contact the City Manager’s Office at
559.621.5555.
Business Name: Yerba Wellness
Application #: C-20-110
CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW - RETAIL Points
Possible
All or
None Exceptional Good Acceptable
Applicant
Score
Evaluation Notes (Explain each time points are
deducted)
SECTION 1: BUSINESS PLAN 300 Points Possible for Section 1
Resume:
Resumes Provided for All Owners: Score 5 5 5
Resumes Provided in 2-page Format: Score 2 2 2
Education: (select highest academic level among ownership team, cannabis specific education
separately)
Cannabis specific education/training (accredited)2 2 0 Not described
High School Degree Reported: Score 4 4 -
Bachelor's Degree Reported: Score 6 6 6
Master's Degree or Higher Reported: Score 8 8 -
Experience: (among ownership team, select one at highest level)
Regulated Cannabis Retail Ownership Experience CA 13 13 13
Regulated Cannabis Retail Experience CA (management level or below): Score 10 10 -
Other Retail Business Experience Reported, More than 5 years: or 8 8 -
Other Retail Business Experience Reported, Less than 5 Years: Score 5 5 -
1.1 Sub-Total:30 26
Construction Cost Estimate:
Construction Cost Estimate Provided: Score 8 8 6 4 6 Needs additional detail
Construction Contingency Factor Included: Score 6 6 0
All Labor, Trades, Materials, Supplies and Permits and other Cost Factors Identified: Score 6 6 4 2 4 Needs additional detail/ Permits
Reference Data Provided for Unit Cost Factors: Score 5 5 3 1 5
Market research and liscenced contractors, gives
figures
Operation and Maintenance Cost Estimates:
Operation and Maintenance Cost Estimate Provided: Score 8 8 6 4 6
Fairly comprehensive, Lots of numbers and letters
missing though. Can't figure out totals
All Labor, Trades, Materials, Supplies, Utilities, and other Cost Factors Identified: Score 6 6 4 2 6
Annual Cost Escalators for Operating Costs Provided: Score 6 6 4 2 4 Most costs shown as escalating, no explanation
Reference Data Provided for Unit Cost Factors: Score 5 5 3 1 0 Not included
1.2 Sub-Total:50 31
Proof of Capitalization Specific to one or more Owners: Score 5 5 5
1.1 Owner qualifications. Resumes are not to exceed two (2) pages per owner. (30 points possible)
1.2 A budget for construction, operation, and maintenance, compensation of employees, equipment costs, utility cost, and other operation costs.(50 points possible)
1.3 Proof of capitalization in the form of documentation of cash or other liquid assets on hand, Letters of Credit or other equivalent assets which can be verified by the City. (50 Points Possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative: Looks like they had a program with the software they used, columns of numbers and letters missing in the 1.2 section
Proof of Capitalization Specific to Business Name/Address: Score
5 5 5
Submitted 2 applications w/ different LLC names
Uploaded proof of capitalization matches
application C-20-109 w. same owners and DBA
Proof of Capitalization Sufficient to Cover Proforma (3 months) and Construction Costs: Score
15 15 0
Didn't give quarterly numbers so I divided annual
assumptions for the first year and came up with
for contruction, FFE, & operating costs,
Labor & utilities. Proof of capital is . They
do say revenue will make up operational costs in
plan.
Certified Audited Financial Report Provided for one or more Owners: Score 5 5 0
Score one of the following for a maximum 20 points:
Capital source is 100% liquid (cash in owners bank, no debt obligation)20 20 0
Capital souce is debt obligation (letter of credit/loan from individual or institution) 10 10 10
Capital consists of non-liquid assets (i.e. real property)8 8 0
Capital consists of a mixture of liquid and non-liquid assets 15 15 0
1.3 Sub-Total:50 20
Three Years of Data Provided: Score 10 10 8 6 8 Needs more detail
Total Gross Revenue Estimates Provided:3 3 3
Total Gross Revenue by Product Type (flower and manufactured) Identified:3 3 0
Total Personnel Costs Provided:5 5 4 3 4
Some good breakdown in section 1.2 but only
listed as line item in 1.4
Total Property Rental or Purchase Costs Provided:2 2 2
Total Utilities Costs Provided:2 2 2
Total Cannabis Product Purchase Expense Provided 2 2 2
All Contract Services Identified:2 2 2
Annual Net Revenue Identified:3 3 0 Not listed
Annual Cost Escalators Identified:
4 4 3 2 4
Most costs shown as escalating, explanations in
paragraphs above.
Annual Estimated Sales Tax Payments to State Provided:2 2 2
Annual Estimated Sale Tax Payments to City of Fresno Provided:5 5 0
Annual Business Tax License and Cannabis Permit Fee Provided:2 2 0
Annual Net Income Provided:5 5 5
Scoring Guidance: full points for realistic figures for all three years. Dock points for severe
miscalculations, unrealistic estimates, or providing less than the request three years.
1.4 Sub-Total:50 34
Hours of Operation Provided: Score 5 5 5
Hours of Operation Provided for all 7 days of the week: Score 3 3 3
Hours of Operation Provided for Holidays: Score 2 2 2 States hours are 365 days a year
Opening and Closing Procedures Provided: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Scoring Guidance: full points for describing information in detail. Dock points for leaving information out
or not providing enough detail.
1.4 Pro forma for at least three years of operation.
1.5 Fully describe hours of operation and opening and closing procedures. (20 points possible)
Criteria Narrative: Applicants have two applications C-20-109 & C-20-110. Applicants submitted proof of capitalization for wrong application, as LLC names are different. They should reupload to correct application.
Criteria Narrative:
1.5 Sub-Total:20 20
1.6.1 Fully describe the day-to-day operations if your applying for a retail permit:
i. Describe customer check-in procedures.20 20 15 10 15
Doesn't describe how or if medical cannabis
recommendations are verified
II. Identify location and procedures for receiving deliveries during business hours.10 10 8 6 10 pg 54-56 & 79-80
iii. Identify the name of the Point-of-sale system to be used and the number of Point-of-Sale locations.10 10 10 Meadow: 4 POS locations
iv. The estimated number of customers to be served per hour/day.20 20 15 10 20
v. Describe the proposed product line to be sold and estimate the percentage of sales of flower and
manufactured products.20 20 15 10 20
vi. If proposed, describe delivery service procedures, number of vehicles and product security during
transportation. (if no delivery service application must state this clearly for full points)20 20 15 10 20
1.6 Sub-Total:100 95
Section 1 Total:300 226
SECTION 2: SOCIAL POLICY AND LOCAL ENTERPRISE 400 Points Possible for Section 2
Description of Commitment to pay a Living Wage provided: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Definition of Living Wage Provided: Score 5 5 4 3 5
Living Wage Defined as Greater than Minimum Wage: Score 5 5 5
2.1 Sub-Total:20 20
Wages and Salary
CCB Entry-Level Hourly Wage Greater than Minimum Wage 5 5 5
CCB Entry-Level Annual Salary Greater than Median Household Income ($50,432)5 5 5 minimum
Health Care Benefits
CCB Offers Medical Coverage to All Employees: Score 5 5 5
CCB Offers Dental Coverage to All Employees: Score 3 3 3
CCB Offers Vision Coverage to All Employees: Score 3 3 3
CCB Offers Health Reimbursement Account for Qualified Medical Expenses: Score 1 1 0 Not mentioned
Employee Pays $0 for Employee Medical Premium: Score 3 3 0 Pays 50% of premium
Employee Pays $0 for Employee Dental Premium: Score 2 2 0 unspecified premium
Employee Pays $0 for Employee Vision Premium: Score 2 2 0 unspecified premium
Employee Pays less than $500 per month for Family Health Care Coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision):
Score 2 2 0
Pays 50% for medical, unspecified for dental and
vision
Leave Benefits
2.1 Describe whether the Commercial Cannabis Business is committed to offering employees a Living Wage. (20 points possible)
Scoring Guidance: https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06019
2.2 Briefly describe benefits provided to employees such as health care, vacation, and medical leave, to the degree they are offered as part of employment. (50 points possible)
1.6 Daily operations. With as much detail as possible, the Business Plan should describe the day-to-day operations which meet industry best practices. This should include at a minimum the following criteria for each permit type in
which you are applying for a permit. (100 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Number of Paid Vacation/PTO Days Per Year: (10+ days = excep; 6-9 days = Good; 3-5 days Acceptable)5 5 4 3 3
Number of Paid Holidays Per Year: (10 or more paid holidays = excep; 4-10 = Good; 1-3 Acceptable)5 5 4 3 5 Recieve pay
Number of days paid time off for Sick/Medical time: (7+ days= Exceptional, 4-6 days = Good, 3 days =
acceptable (8 hour day))5 5 4 3 5
Retirement
Offers employee retirement plan 2 2 5
Offers company match for employee retirement plan 2 2 0 Does not mention company match
2.2 Sub-Total:50 39
CCB Provides Tuition Reimbursement for Certificates: Score 3 3 3
CCB Provides Tuition Reimbursement for associate degrees: Score 3 3 0 not mentioned
CCB Provides Tuition Reimbursement for bachelor's degrees: Score 3 3 0 not mentioned
CCB Provides Tuition Reimbursement for master's degrees: Score 3 3 0 not mentioned
CCB Provides Tuition Reimbursement for Specialized Commercial Cannabis Business Operations
Training: Score 3 3 3
CCB Offers General Training for Health and Safety, Workplace Environment, Customer Service, etc. 5 5 4 3 5
2.3 Sub-Total:20 11
General Recruitment Plan Provided: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Social Policy Recruitment Plan Provided: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Recruitment Plan Includes Demographic Data for District, City or County: Score 10 10 8 6 0 Did not list local community data
Recruitment Plan Includes List of CBOs, Non-Profits and Public-Agency Hiring Partners: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Recruitment Plan Includes Hiring Targets (percentages) by Demographic Groups: Score 10 10 8 6 10
2.4 Sub-Total:50 40
Owners
Number of Owners:2
Number of Owners that live within the City of Fresno:1
Number of Owners that live in the County of Fresno:0
Number of Owners that Own a Business in the City of Fresno:0
51%+ ownership interest percent of the Owners live or own a business in the City: Score 80 80 80
51%+ ownership interest percent of the Owners live or own a business in the County: Score 40 40 -
2.3 Describe compensation to and opportunities for continuing education and employee training.(20 points possible)
2.4 Describe the Commercial Cannabis Business plan to recruit individuals who meet the criteria listed in the Social Policy Section 9-3316 (b) (1) of the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) and the percentage of local employees it hires. (50
points possible)
2.5 Describe the extent to which the Commercial Cannabis Business will be a locally managed enterprise whose owners and /or managers reside within or own a commercial business within the City of Fresno, for at least one year prior
to March 2, 2020.(80 points possible)
IF full points achieved for Ownership category, don't score managers.
Section is total of 80 points possible.
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Data, non-scored. Write response in Evaluation Notes
column.
Less than 50 percent equity of the Owners live or own a business in the City (If no owners are local,
score zero)20 20 -
Managers
Number of Managers (salaried, non-owners)
Number of Managers that live in the City of Fresno:
Number of Managers that Own a Business in the City of Fresno:
100 percent of the Managers live or own a business in the City: Score 20 20 0 Doesn't discuss hiring local managers
75 to 99 percent of the Managers live or own a business in the City: Score 15 15 0
50 to 74 percent of the Managers live or own a business in the City: Score 10 10 0
Less than 50 percent of the Managers live or own a business in the City: Score 5 5 0
2.5 Sub-Total:80 80
Responsibilities Described for All Titles/Positions: Score 20 20 15 10 20
2.6 Sub-Total:20 20
Does CCB have more than five employees: 5 5 5
CCB has signed a peace agreement: Score 5 5 5
2.7 Sub-Total:10 10
Work Force Plan Provided: Score 10 10 8 6 10
Commitment to Local Hire Provided:10 10 8 6 10
Commitment to Offer Apprenticeships Provided:10 10 8 6 8 Lacks detail on apprenticeship program
Commitment paying for continuing education provided 10 10 8 6 10
Description of commitment to paying a living wage provide. (Score same as sec. 2.1)10 10 8 6 10
2.8 Sub-Total:50 48
CCB is willing to serve as Social Equity Business Incubator: Score 100 100 80 60 100
Mentorship and Training: Score yes
Equipment Donation: Score yes
Shelf Space: Score yes
Legal Assistance: Score yes
Finance Services Assistance: Score yes
Other Technical Assistance: Score networking
Data to inform score on first line of this section. Write
response in Evaluation Notes column.
2.8.3. Commitment to pay a living wage to its employees
2.6 Describe the number of employees, title/position and their respected responsibilities.(20 points possible)
2.7 Describe whether the CCB has five (5) or more employees and whether it has signed a labor peace agreement allowing employees to unionize without interference. (10 points possible)
2.8 Provide a workforce plan that includes at a minimum the following provisions: (50 points possible)
2.8.1. Commitment for 30% of employees to be local hires; the business must show that it has either hired or made a good faith effort to hire bona fide residents of Fresno who have not established residency after the submission of an
application for employment with the applicant/permittee.
2.8.2. Commitment to offer apprenticeships and/or compensation for continuing education in the field; and
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Data, non-scored. Write response in Evaluation Notes
column.
Criteria Narrative:
2.9 Describe whether the business is willing to serve as a Social Equity Business Incubator by offering support to local cannabis social equity businesses in the form of mentorship, training, equipment donation, a percentage of shelf
space dedicated to Fresno equity business products, legal assistance, financial services assistance, or other technical assistance support.(100 points possible)
Scoring Guidance: full points for willingness to serve with detailed plan offering at least three aspects
mentioned above or of similar benefit. Less points for willingness to serve but vague or unclear
commitment. Zero points if there is no clear commitment to serve as Incubator.
2.9 Sub-Total:100 100
Section 2 Total:400 368
SECTION 3: NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY PLAN 300 Points Possible for Section 3
CCB will document complaints (time of complaint, nature of complaint, resolution of complaint): Score 10 10 8 6 10 Stated in Section 3.6
CCB will established a dedicated contact person to receive complaints: Score 10 10 10
CCB will establish a dedicated phone number to receive complaints: Score 5 5 5
CCB will establish a dedicated email address to receive complaints: Score 5 5 0 Info not provided
CCB will establish a response time standard for returning complaint calls and emails: Score 5 5 5
CCB will schedule or participate in periodic community meetings to engage with residents about the CCB
operation: Score 10 10 0 Needs more specificity
Other measure unique to business (i.e. website complaint form)5 5 0 Info not provided
Scoring Guidance: full points for detailed proactive plan addressing all aspects mentioned. Dock points
for leaving out aspect, vagueness, or reactive plans.
3.1 Sub-Total:50 30
CCB will maintain a listserv of community residents to update and information residents of business
operations.
10 10 0 Info not provided
CCB will schedule or attend periodic community meetings (at least annually) to engage with residents
about the CCB operation: Score 10 10 0 Needs more specificity
CCB will prepare a community outreach and engagement plan: Score 50 50 40 30 30 Needs more detail
CCB will issue periodic Newsletters to community providing information about CCB operations 10 10 0 Info not provided
CCB will hire residents from the community work at the CCB: Score 20 20 20
Scoring Guidance: full points for detailed proactive plan. Dock points for leaving out aspect, vagueness,
or reactive plans.
3.2 Sub-Total:100 50
CCB has identified sensitive receptors to nuisance odors in vicinity of business operations: Score 5 5 5
CCB has prepared a nuisance odor control plan: Score 10 10 8 6 8 Needs more detail
Nuisance odor control plan identifies locations where fugitive emissions may exit the premise boundary:
Score 5 5 5
3.3 Describe odor mitigation practices.(40 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
3.1 Describe how the CCB will proactively address and respond to complaints related to noise, light, odor, litter, vehicles, and pedestrian traffic.(50 points possible)
3.2 Describe how the CCB will be managed to avoid becoming a nuisance or having impacts on its neighbors and the surrounding community.(100 points possible)
Nuisance odor control plan describes specific odor control measures to reduce fugitive emissions exiting
the premise boundary: Score 5 5 5
CCB has established an odor reporting system: Score 5 5 0 Info not provided
CCB will install a nuisance odor monitoring system: Score 10 10 0 Info not provided
3.3 Sub-Total:40 23
CCB has identified the potential sources of nuisance odors for the business operation: Score 10 10 8 6 8 Needs more detail
Scoring Guidance: full points for detailed proactive plan. Dock points for vagueness or reactive plans.
3.4 Sub-Total:10 8
Nuisance odor control plan describes specific odor control equipment: Score 10 10 8 6 8 Needs more detail
Nuisance odor control plan describes specific odor control measures/techniques: Score 10 10 8 6 8 Needs more detail
Odor control measures are identified for different nuisance odor sources: Score 10 10 10
3.5 Sub-Total:30 26
Nuisance odor control plan describes the operation, monitoring, and maintenance requirements for
odor control measures: Score 10 10 10
Nuisance odor control plan describes the staff training required for system operations, maintenance,
repair, and troubleshooting.10 10 10
3.6 Sub-Total:20 20
CCB has identified the sources of waste generated by the business operation: Score
10 10 0 Info not provided
CCB has prepared a source-separation plan to segregate different sources of waste generated by
business operations: Score 10 10 10
The source-separation plan identifies policy, procedures, and locations where different sources of waste
are to be collected for disposal: Score 10 10 8 6 10
The source-separation plan describes specific measures to control the collection and disposal cannabis
waste: Score 10 10 10
The name of licensed cannabis disposal company provided: Score 10 10 0 Info not provided
3.7 Sub-Total:50 30
Section 3 Total:300 187
SECTION 4: SAFETY PLAN 300 Points Possible for Section 4
3.4 Identify potential sources of odor. (10 points possible)
3.5 Describe odor control devices and techniques employed to ensure that odors from cannabis are not detectable beyond the permitted premises. (30 points possible)
3.6 Describe all proposed staff odor training and system maintenance.(20 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
3.7 Describe the waste management plan. (50 points possible)
Safety Plan Prepared by Consultant: Score 10 10 0 assessed only
Safey Plan Assessed by Consultant: Score (if prepared by, also give points for assessed by)10 10 10
Safety Plan Prepared for CCB Address (specific proposed location): Score 10 10 0 no specifics to the address
Safety Plan includes Site Plan of Premise: Score 10 10 0 no site plan
Safety Plan includes Building Layout Plan: Score 10 10 0 no building plan
4.1 Sub-Total:50 10
Written Accident/Incident Procedure Provided: Score 20 20 15 10 0 no written procedures for any
Procedures Address Multiple Accident/Incident Scenarios: Score 10 10 8 6 0 not mentioned
Total Number of Scenarios Described: Score 13 mentioned only
Active Shooter Incident Described: Score 10 10 2 mentioned only
Robbery Incident Described: Score 10 10 0 not mentioned
4.2 Sub-Total:50 2
Evacuation Plan Provided: Score 20 20 15 10 10 described, no map to reference
Adequate Number of Evacuation Routes Identified: Score 20 20 15 10 0 unk
Evacuation Route Distance to Public Right of Way: Score 10 10 8 6 0 no overall site plan
4.3 Sub-Total:50 10
Location of Fire Suppression System Elements Identified: Score 10 10 0 no maps
Type of Fire Suppression System Elements Identified: Score 20 20 15 10 0 not mentioned
Location of Fire Extinguishers Identified: Score 10 10 2 described by room, no map to reference
Adequate Number of Fire Extinguisher Locations Identified: Score 10 10 8 6 10
4.4 Sub-Total:50 12
Written Procedure for Fire Emergencies Provided: Score 20 20 15 10 0 no written procedures
Written Procedure for Medical Emergencies Provided: Score 20 20 15 10 0 "
Cardiac Arrest Medical Emergency Described: Score 20 20 15 10 0 not mentioned
Gunshot Wound Medical Emergency Described: Score 20 20 15 10 0 not mentioned
Other Medical Emergency Conditions Described: Score 20 20 15 10 0 not mentioned
4.5 Sub-Total:100 0
Section 4 Total:300 34
SECTION 5: SECURITY PLAN 300 Points Possible for Section 5
Data-write response in Evaluation Notes Column
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
4.4 Location of fire extinguishers and other fire suppression equipment. (50 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
4.5 Describe procedures and training for all fire and medical emergencies.(100 points possible)
4.1 The Safety Plan shall be prepared and/or assessed by a professional fire prevention and suppression consultant. (50 points possible)
4.3 Describe evacuation routes. (50 points possible)
4.2 Describe accident and incident reporting procedures. (50 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Security Plan Prepared by Consultant: Score 10 10 10
Security Plan Assessed by Consultant(if prepared by, also give points for assessed by): Score 10 10 10
Security Plan Prepared for CCB Address (specific proposed location): Score 10 10 10
Security Plan includes Site Plan of Premise: Score 10 10 10
Security Plan includes Building Layout Plan: Score 10 10 10
5.1 Sub-Total:50 50
Premises (Security) Diagram Provided: Score 20 20 15 10 20
Diagram is drawn to correct scale: Score 5 5 5
Diagram provides required details for premise: Score 5 5 5
Diagram shows the location of all security cameras: Score 5 5 5
Descriptions of activities to be conducted in each area of the premise 5 5 5
Limited-Access Areas Clearly Marked: Score 5 5 5
Number and Location of All Security Cameras Identified: Score 5 5 5
5.2 Sub-Total:50 50
Intrusion Alarm and Monitoring System Identified: Score 15 15 15
Name and Contact Information for Monitoring Company Provided: Score 5 5 5
Total Points of Entry into Premise Identified: Score 5 5 5
All Points of Entry to be Alarmed Identified:5 5 5
Type of Alarm Identified (motion, infrared, glass break, etc.): Score 10 10 10
Backup Power Supply Identified: Score 10 10 10
5.3 Sub-Total:50 50
Written Cash-Handling Procedure Provided: Score 30 30 20 15 20
Dual-Custody is Practiced for all cash handling: Score 10 10 0 No mention of dual-custody for all
Video Surveillance Used to Monitor All Cash Handling: Score 20 20 20
Armored Car Service Used for Bank Deposits: Score 10 10 10
5.2 Premises (Security) Diagram. In addition to diagrams submitted for other sections of the application, applicants are expected to submit a premises diagram (or site plan) which, focuses on the proposed security measures and how
they relate to the overall business. (Pursuant to CCR Title 16, Division 42, §5006. Premises Diagram).
5.2.1 The diagram shall be accurate, dimensioned and to scale (minimum scale ¼"). The scale may be smaller if the proposed location exceeds more than a 1/2-acre parcel but must not be printed on larger than an 11" x 17" sheet of
paper. (Blueprints and engineering site plans are not required at this point of the application process)
5.2.2 The diagram must be drawn to scale and clearly identify property boundaries, entrances, exits, interior partitions, walls, rooms, windows, and doorways. The activity in each room and the location of all cameras must be
identified in the diagram.
Criteria Narrative:
5.2.4 Limited-access areas, defined as areas in which cannabis goods are stored or held and only accessible to permittees, or its employees or contractors and areas used for video surveillance monitoring and storage devices
(Pursuant to CCR Title 16, Division 42, §5000 (m) Limited-Access Area and §5042 Limited-Access Area.
5.2.5 Number and location of all video surveillance cameras. (50 points possible)
5.4 Briefly describe cash handling procedures which covers day to day transactions with customers, vendors armor carrier vehicles and transporting it to the bank.(100 points possible)
5.3 Identify intrusion alarm and monitoring system including the name and contact information for the monitoring company (if the company has been selected).(50 points possible)
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
5.2.3 Description of cannabis activity that will be conducted in each area of the premise. Commercial cannabis activities that must be identified on the diagram/site plan may include but are not limited to the following if applicable to
the business operations; storage areas, batch sampling areas, loading/unloading of shipment areas, packaging and labeling, customer sales areas, training areas, employee break room areas, extractions, infusions, processing, and
testing areas.
5.1 The Security Plan shall be prepared and/or assessed by a professional security consultant.(50 points possible)
All Cash Deposited weekly with Bank: Score 10 10 0 Not stated
Onsite Vault Provided to Secure Cash Prior to Bank Deposit: Score 20 20 20
5.4 Sub-Total:100 70
CCB will use onsite security guards: Score 10 10 10
All onsite guards will be licensed and bonded: Score 10 10 0 No mention of being bonded
All onsite security guards will be licensed to carry firearms: Score 10 10 10
Onsite security guards will be on duty before CCB opens for business: Score 10 10 10
Onsite security guards will be on duty after CCB closes for business: Score 10 10 10
5.5 Sub-Total:50 40
Section 5 Total:300 260
Section 1: Business Plan Total Points:300 226
Section 2: Social Policy & Local Enterprise Total Points:400 368
Section 3: Neighborhood Compatibility Total Points:300 187
Section 4: Safety Plan Total Points:300 34
Section 5: Security Plan Total Points:300 260
Total Points Achieved:1600 1075
67.19%
TOTAL SCORE
5.5 Discuss whether the CCB will utilize the services of on-site security guards. Include in the discussion: (50 points possible)
5.5.1 Number of guards.
5.5.2 Hours guards will be on-site.
Criteria Narrative:
Criteria Narrative:
5.5.3 Locations at which they will be positioned.
5.5.4 Guards' roles and responsibilities.
De Santis Properties
Post Office Box 3377, Fresno, CA 93650 | 559-299-9836 | dpigroupllc@sbcaglobal.net
Date: 11/30/2020
Letter of Intent to Lease Proposed Location: 514 N. Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93728
Please find summarized below some of the essential terms upon which Main Event Holdings, LLC, a California
Company, willing to enter lease negotiations with DeSantis Properties, “Landlord" for space in the above-referenced
retail location. Obviously, not all of the essential terms required for a lease are contained herein. Additional
items may arise if our discussions continue.
This letter is not intended to bind any of the persons or entities referred to herein to either conduct negotiations
for or entering into a lease. No person or entity referred to in this letter shall have any rights against or obligations
to the other unless and until a fully executed lease has been entered into and delivered to the Tenant.
Tenant: Main Event Holdings, LLC.
Use of Premises: A Cannabis Retail Store
Premises Location: 514 N. Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93728
APN # of Location: 452-275-12
Square Footage: Approximately 2,500 Sq Ft
Lease Term: Six (6) Months
Option Term: 2 - Five (5) year options
Minimum Monthly Base Rent: per month, for the first Six (6) months commencing on the
execution date of this Letter of Intent
Option Term Rent: (1) First Option: If not in default, per month (5% Annual Base
Rent increase)
(2) Second Option: To be Negotiated
CAM, Taxes, & Insurance
Charges (NNN): per month/Prop Rata Share, Adjusted annually
Percentage Rent: N/A
Non-Refundable Fee: , processing fee, payable at the time of signing Letter of Intent
NON-REFUNDABLE
DocuSign Envelope ID: 594DF1AB-2A2D-46D7-8760-C65C0465BF26
Insurance Limits: Per Standard Lease Requirements
Turnover Date of Premises: Five (5) Days from Lease Execution, or as available
Condition of Premises Landlord agrees to deliver the Premises to the Tenant in “AS-IS, WHERE-IS
Condition”, with the exception of the following: Upon 60 days of the
turnover date, Landlord shall cause the roof to be in leak free condition.
The Parties agree to comply with FMC Section 9-3318(b).
Improvement Allowance: None
Tenant’s Construction: Tenant shall be responsible for the design and construction of its store.
One Year Exit Option: N/A
Assignment / Subletting: Assumable and transferable only with written consent from the Landlord.
Subject to a transfer fee
Signs and Advertising: As per City Ordinances
Lease Form: Landlord’s Standard Lease Form.
Should the above general understanding meet with your approval, please execute and return a fully
executed copy of this proposal to me and have the Landlord prepare the lease document for Tenant’s
review.
AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
LANDLORD: TENANT: Main Event Holdings, LLC.
By: ________________________________ By: ______________________________
Printed Name: Pat DeSantis_____________ Printed Name: ______________________
Title: Trustee for DeSantis Family Trust_____ Title: ________CEO__________________
Date: ______________________________ Date: _____________________________
Phone: Phone: _ __________________
Address: Address: 5657 Wilshire Blvd. #272, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Email: _______ Email:______
DocuSign Envelope ID: 594DF1AB-2A2D-46D7-8760-C65C0465BF26
12/3/2020
Name
12/4/2020
Retail Cannabis
Business Application
1
Yerba Wellness is more than just a cannabis business. It’s a
community with an incredible opportunity and plan for positive
social change. Our team features community leaders from the
City of Fresno and from the CA cannabis industry, all of whom
share a core belief in the power of legalized cannabis to inspire
and create social change, medical breakthroughs, and economic
opportunities. Cannabis has finally turned the corner from
decades of stigmatization, and has tremendous momentum
behind its current emergence into a global industry and
economic powerhouse. Its emergence on this scale will also
exponentially increase the amount of research dedicated to
medical cannabis.
Like with all power, this comes with a clear responsibility that
we take personally as leaders in this emerging legal industry: to
repair historical harms caused by its former prohibition, to
distribute its prosperity proportionately, and to create and repair
communities. Yerba Wellness will personally take on these
responsibilities by providing direct economic and philanthropic
benefits to individuals and communities in need, specifics of
which will be laid out further in this presentation. Yerba Wellness
is so much more than a dispensary. Its passionate leaders will
execute a business model which will become a community
legacy for generations to come.
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2
Section One:
Business Plan
3
1. Business Plan
1.1 Owner Qualifications
Introduction
The pathway forward for the Yerba Wellness mission is clear thanks to the proven leadership of
a diverse team: President, Daniel Sosa; Community Liaison, retired Fire Captain and lifelong
Fresno resident, Vernon Jones; Chief Operations Officer, Tiffany Wright; Chief Legal Officer,
Reshma Bishnoi; and Yerba Wellness’ Vice President of Operations, Agatha Karmelita.
Yerba Wellness is submitting two applications for a permit for a cannabis retail business in
Fresno. Yerba Wellness believes that Fresno has great potential and that Yerba Wellness can
help grow Fresno by providing consumers with access to legal cannabis in a safe environment
that is focused on the wellbeing of its customers. Yerba Wellness will offer its employees a
living wage and a full benefits package.
Vernon Jones, Owner & Community Liaison
Vernon Jones has been a resident of Fresno for over fifty years.
He attended elementary school, junior high school and high
school in Fresno. Vernon is a proud graduate of Roosevelt High
School, class of 1975.
Vernon joined the Fresno Fire Department in 1978 as a trainee
Firefighter. He immediately fell in love with firefighting and
committed his entire career to the Fresno Fire Department.
Vernon became certified as a Fire Paramedic and rose through
the ranks of the Fresno Fire Department to the rank of Fire
Captain. Vernon was also the President of the United Black
Firefighters Association from 1996 - 2000. Vernon spent his
entire career with the Fresno Fire Department and retired in
2017.
Vernon is a dedicated member of the Fresno community and
has volunteered for many years. He was a Board Member of the
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Fresno, President of the West
Fresno Jaycees and is a long-time member of the Westside Church of God. Vernon was also
appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the 21st Agricultural District Board in 2007.
Vernon was opposed to cannabis use for much of his life. However, after witnessing the
disparate and discriminatory impact of draconian drug laws on the African-American and Latino
communities, Vernon became passionate about drug reform. He believes in the power of social
equity and a well-run and ethically managed business to bring growth and opportunities to
blighted neighborhoods. Vernon is proud to be the majority owner of Yerba Wellness and is
4
excited to partner with Daniel Sosa, an experienced cannabis retail business operator, in
managing Yerba Wellness.
Daniel Sosa, President
Daniel Sosa was born in Los Angeles and raised in a small
residential community in northeast Los Angeles called
Mount Washington. A student-athlete in his youth, Daniel
believes in exemplifying qualities of good sportsmanship as
a way of living an impactful life. He attended LAUSD
schools from K-12. Daniel attended The Elliot School of
International Affairs at The George Washington University
in Washington DC, earning a Bachelor's degree in
International Affairs with a concentration in Global Public
Health in 2006.
After graduating, Daniel returned to Los Angeles and
entered the cannabis industry. One of the nation’s first
medical cannabis dispensaries, Daniel opened La Brea
Collective in 2007. Today, Daniel continues to own and
operate La Brea Collective, which is now licensed for
recreational and medical retail sales, distribution, and manufacturing. Over the past thirteen
years, Daniel has developed a vast understanding of how to effectively and consciously operate a
successful cannabis business. Since its beginning, Daniel has operated La Brea Collective with
an emphasis on providing free and low-cost medicine to low-income, chronically/terminally ill
patients. Daniel operated a successful cannabis business straight through the recession of
2008/2009, providing dozens of well-paying jobs to local residents. Over the years, he has also
operated safe, clean, compliant cannabis farms in Lake and Mendocino Counties, CA. Daniel
believes in growing cannabis completely organically and sustainably.
Daniel is a leader in the cannabis industry, serving on the boards of cannabis trade associations
and his local neighborhood council. He has operated compliant cannabis retail and supply chain
businesses that prioritize giving back to the local communities in which they operate as a core
value. An elected Board Member of his local PICO Neighborhood Council since 2012, Daniel
understands and respects civic duties. He has worked with elected representatives and organized
and participated in local neighborhood clean up efforts and food drives. To date, Daniel has
personally organized the local donation of more than two tons of nonperishable food items.
Since 2007 under Daniel’s leadership, La Brea Collective’s Compassion Program has provided
hundreds of thousands of dollars of completely free medicine to medical cannabis patients with
terminal illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and MS. The Compassion Program also offers
discounts to low-income individuals, veterans, and senior citizens.
Daniel is a proponent of supporting small and local businesses. Daniel has been an active
member of the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce since 2009 and develops positive,
long-lasting relationships with community members and local businesses.
5
Daniel is an advocate for social equity, providing career opportunities, partnership opportunities,
and mentorship to impacted individuals to help them excel in this emerging industry. Several of
the individuals he has mentored have gone on to own their own licensed businesses in the
California cannabis industry, including one of the first licensed Latina female cultivators, Jamie
Rodriguez of Trinity County, CA.
Daniel hires locally and is a proponent of diversity and equal pay. Daniel is one of a smaller
number of Latino licensed cannabis business owners, and he has nurtured a culturally diverse
team at his existing retail cannabis business, which is currently over ninety percent women and
minorities. He is committed to sustainability in his lifestyle and business practices and operates
his businesses in an environmentally conscious manner.
Daniel and his team are well-versed in safe, effective, and compliant cannabis business
operations, and understand how to ensure that the City’s relationship with Yerba Wellness not
only benefits the local economy but also directly supports endeavors to improve the quality of
life in Fresno. Daniel will be the President of Yerba Wellness.
Tiffany Wright, Chief Operations Officer
Tiffany Wright has more than a decade of direct cannabis
industry experience, having worked in cannabis patient
advocacy and business operations for nearly eleven years.
Tiffany is a passionate advocate for natural wellness and
prolific cannabis industry job creation. At eighteen years old,
she lost her mother to an opioid overdose. This tragic event
compelled her to learn about cannabis as a safer alternative to
pharmaceutical medication, which led to her starting a new
career in medical cannabis. She entered the industry as a
“budtender”, learning all about cannabis as medicine and how
to operate a dispensary. She enjoyed interacting with patients
and learning about products.
Beginning in 2010, she served as Director of Patient Care
Alliance, a trade association that advocated for sensible cannabis regulations and provided
education and support to medical cannabis patients and cooperatives. Beginning in 2013, she has
volunteered hundreds of hours towards efforts for statewide adult-use cannabis legalization and
restorative justice in California. This was of course ultimately achieved in 2016 with the passage
of Prop 64.
In 2014, Tiffany began working for Mother Nature’s Remedy, a combined natural wellness
center and medical cannabis dispensary. At Mother Nature’s Remedy, Tiffany oversaw all
projects at the facility including the production of sustainable, organic cannabis-infused products
such as tinctures, tonics, topical balms, healthy edibles, and raw cannabis juice. She also ensured
proper packaging and labeling of hundreds of wellness products, ranging from California grown
cannabis to a variety of products from around the globe. In this role, Tiffany expanded her
knowledge of natural wellness.
6
In 2016, Tiffany accepted a position with Kind Financial, assisting with the implementation of
track and trace and point of sale software to state governments and cannabis licensees. She
worked with the executive team on projects that required a deep understanding of the cannabis
industry and the complexities of its operations, providing insight for Kind Pay, a proprietary
program for electronic payments and legal banking solutions for licensed cannabis businesses.
She enjoyed working with President Dave Peck, former CMO of PayPal, and former federal
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Assistant Director Tom Fleming and
anti-fraud examiner Robert Casares, having learned a great deal from the Kind Financial
executive team about cannabis finance and regulatory compliance.
Tiffany has also worked as Operations Manager for a top-selling pre-roll brand in California,
which distributes its products to hundreds of licensed dispensaries in the state. She was tasked
with managing the statewide sales team as well as the development and implementation of new
policies and procedures related to adult-use legalization including, expanded state testing, and
packaging and labeling requirements. Tiffany has also worked as a cannabis licensing consultant,
assisting applicants in obtaining and maintaining local and state licensure, industry best
practices, and regulatory compliance.
She currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for La Brea Collective, which holds licenses
in manufacturing, distribution, and retail cannabis sales. She oversees all aspects of business
operations. She works closely with owner/operator Daniel Sosa to achieve both
community-related goals and business operational goals while maintaining sustainable business
practices. Tiffany oversees all aspects of business operations at La Brea Collective, while also
working to expand its mission of cannabis community benefit in other locales. On a personal
level, Tiffany is an animal lover and a passionate advocate for animal rescue. She enjoys reading
and cooking. Tiffany will be the Chief Operations Officer for Yerba Wellness.
Agatha Karmelita, VP of Operations
Agatha Karmelita has worked in the cannabis industry
cumulatively for nine years. Her career began in 2007 when
she volunteered for over a year at one of Los Angeles’ first
medical cannabis dispensaries (Arts District Healing Center)
while pursuing her degree in Music Industry at University of
Southern California. Agatha graduated from USC in 2009.
Encountering a challenging economy and job market, she
re-entered the cannabis industry as a budtender for La Brea
Collective in 2012.
While at La Brea Collective for the next four years Agatha
climbed the ladder from budtender to Manager of Operations
for the retail dispensary, working closely with
owner/operator Daniel Sosa. La Brea Collective was and
remains a pillar in the community donating food to local food
banks, toys to local children’s centers, and staying active in local politics concerning cannabis
regulation.
7
In 2017, she began working at MMAC as a Retail Manager which later rebranded its retail
dispensaries into Project Cannabis. Here she helped spearhead a centralized buying system and
handled the buying for four cannabis dispensaries across Greater Los Angeles. She also helped
homogenize the retail experience across all Project Cannabis stores so customers could begin
recognizing the unique Project Cannabis experience anywhere as the company geared up to
expand. Agatha also assisted in the opening of a fifth Project Cannabis store in San Francisco.
At last, she has come full circle and currently serves as General Manager for La Brea Collective
overseeing the day to day operations of the retail dispensary. Driven by a love for the community
created by cannabis, Agatha aims to create a retail experience that serves customers and patients
from all walks of life.
In her free time, she enjoys music and spending time with her partner and their four cats while
taking in all that Los Angeles culture has to offer. Agatha will be the Vice President of
Operations for Yerba Wellness.
Reshma Bisnoi, Chief Legal Officer
Reshma Bishnoi was born and raised in Ventura, California.
She attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning
a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass
Communications in 2003. She was an honors student and on
the Dean’s List every semester. Reshma then attended the
Columbia University School of Law in New York and
graduated in 2006. Reshma is a licensed attorney in
California.
Reshma returned to Los Angeles to begin her legal career at
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, an international
law firm headquartered in Los Angeles. As a member of the
firm’s private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and securities practice groups, Reshma assisted
in mergers and acquisitions of private and public companies, financings of venture capital and
private equity firms, securities filings as well as general company representation. She represented
Dubai World, an arm of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, a sovereign wealth fund located in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates in their joint venture with MGM Resorts International to build City
Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. City Center includes the Aria Resort, the Vdara Hotel, and the
Residences at the Mandarin Oriental.
In 2010, Reshma joined the legal department at TiVo Inc. as a Director of Commercial Legal
Affairs. At TiVo, Reshma led negotiations with many companies including Comcast, Charter,
DirecTV, Samsung, LG, and Sony. She structured and closed multi-year deals with these, and
other companies, that generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue.
In 2015, Reshma joined the legal department at Roku, Inc. as Senior Counsel. At Roku, Reshma
led negotiations with companies including Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Warner Bros., HBO, and
Showtime. She structured and closed multi-year deals with these, and other companies, that
8
generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue. She led legal affairs for the advertising
department and assisted in the advertising department becoming the leading revenue generator
for Roku.
In 2019, Reshma joined La Brea Collective as Chief Legal Officer. Reshma manages corporate
governance and negotiates and structures deals with vendors and investors. She assists the La
Brea Collective team with compliance and interfaces with regulators. Reshma will be the Chief
Legal Officer of Yerba Wellness.
For further information, please see the following resumes for each owner.
9
1.5 Hours of Operation, Opening & Closing Procedures
1.5 Fully describe hours of operation and opening and closing procedures.
Hours of Operation
Yerba Wellness’ public hours of operation will be 10:00am to 10:00pm, 7 days a week, 365 days
a year.
In their many years of operating cannabis dispensaries, Yerba Wellness’ executive team has
found that customers appreciate consistent access to cannabis products. Yerba Wellness’ door
will open to the public promptly at 10:00am and close to the public promptly at 10:00pm. In
compliance with State and local regulations, Yerba Wellness will require that all customers
complete their transactions and exit the building by 10:00pm.
Prior to opening to the public, Yerba Wellness’ employees and Security Guards will arrive at the
cannabis retail business beginning at 8:30am. They will perform opening procedures, including
securing the premises, inventory counts and control measures, stocking the retail area, ensuring
that all safety and security measures are operational and that all technology (computers, Internet,
point of sale ipads, security cameras) is booted up and ready to perform at full capacity prior to
commencing business operations for the day. Please see below for a comprehensive description
of Yerba Wellness’ opening procedures.
After closing, Yerba Wellness’ employees and Security Guards will remain at the cannabis retail
business after public operating hours until approximately 10:30pm. During this time employees
will perform closing procedures, including cleaning, cash drops, end-of-day reports, and securing
the premises until approximately 10:30pm. Please see below for a comprehensive description of
Yerba Wellness’ closing procedures.
Opening Procedures
Opening procedures will commence at 8:30am, to allow Managers ample time to reconcile cash
and inventory activity from the previous business day and prepare for the day ahead, and to
allow Security Guards ample time to support this process and ensure the facility is prepared to
operate.
Security Guards will hold keys to the exterior roll-down gates, and designated Managers will
hold keys that unlock the interior door. This is purposefully structured as an additional safety
measure so that a minimum of two people are always required to access the premises.
Yerba Wellness employees will perform the following procedures prior to opening Yerba
Wellness to the public:
Opening Procedures for Security Guards:
34
Opening Procedures for Managers:
1.After unlocking and entering the Yerba Wellness premises, the Manager will turn
on all sales floor monitors, electronic menu screens, computers, point of sale
systems, credit card processing terminals, back-office systems, ATM, and all
other necessary equipment. The Manager will ensure the proper functionality of
all point of sale stations, credit card terminals, ATM, and electronic menu screens
by checking all electronics are plugged in, fully charged, and responsive.
2.The Manager will ensure the ATM is filled with cash and functioning.
3.The Manager will collect two thousand dollars dollar bills from
the secure limited-access storage vault and will double check the quantity using
the digital currency counting machine.
4.Upon confirming the correct amount, the Manager will alert the Security Guards
via radio that the ATM is about to be filled. This allows the Security Guards to be
prepared for ATM activity.
5.The Manager then transfers two thousand dollars into the ATM.
6.The Manager removes gloves or washes/sanitizes their hands thoroughly after
counting or transferring currency.
7.The Manger will log all transfers of cash from the secure limited-access storage
vault to the ATM both in writing and electronically into Yerba Wellness’ digital
bookkeeping system
8.The Manager will ensure that all remaining cash on hand reconciles from the
previous day’s sales activities using top of the line digital currency bill and coin
counting machines.
9.The Manager will then identify the product types and quantities that will be made
available for retail sale. The Manager determines which products require a restock
by assessing inventory levels in Meadow, Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system.
The Manager will also conduct a physical count of each product in order to ensure
that the product counts comport with inventory levels in Meadow.
10.The Manager selects inventory from back stock using a FIFO (first in, first out)
system making sure to select items with the correct UID number. Number of
items, item names/descriptions, and UID numbers are logged on a physical
transfer log.
36
11.The Manager will then commence restocking the retail area with only as much
cannabis merchandise required for projected daily sales in accordance with City
of Fresno regulations, using sturdy stainless steel carts to physically transfer
inventory from the secure, limited-access storage area to the retail area. Products
stocked daily will include edibles, concentrates, flower, vaporizers, topicals,
extracts, beverages, and prerolls.
12.The Manager logs each transfer of inventory into Meadow, Yerba Wellness’ point
of sale system. As each transfer is completed in Meadow, the Manager will initial
next to the item on the transfer log.
14.The Manager documents the amount of currency placed in each register both in
writing and electronically in Yerba Wellness’ digital bookkeeping system and will
ensure that all remaining cash on hand reconciles from the previous day’s sales
activities using top of the line digital currency counting machines.
15.The Manager will ensure that digital menus on display for customers reflect the
current inventory for sale.
Opening Procedures for Retail Associates:
1.Retail Associates will arrive at Yerba Wellness at 9:30am.
2.Retail Associates by request and under the direct supervision of the Manager on
duty may assist with counting inventory and placing it in the retail sales area.
3.Retail Associates under the supervision of the Manager on Duty will help stage
the inventory in the designated retail area for each product category/sku.
4.Retail Associates will assist with frequent and periodic sanitizing of all frequently
touched spaces including door handles, countertops, credit card terminals,
restroom faucets, break room, and water cooler stations.
Opening Procedures for all Employees:
1.Hourly employees will use the biometric time clock to clock-in.
2.Every employee will then obtain their employee badge from the Security Guards.
3.Every employee will be responsible for visually inspecting all exterior spaces for
cleanliness and safety, and to ensure that any graffiti or litter is immediately
removed from the premises. Employees will immediately notify the Manager of
any issues they observe.
37
4.Every employee will be responsible for verifying that all signage regarding
COVID-19 is properly displayed. Employees will immediately notify the
Manager of any issues they observe.
5.Every employee is also responsible for verifying that all other employees and
customers are wearing a mask that fully covers the nose and mouth. Employees
will immediately notify the Manager of any issues they observe. Additional
personal protective equipment, including gloves and face shields, will be made
available for all employees and employees are responsible for verifying that
personal protective equipment is properly worn.
Closing Procedures
Yerba Wellness employees will perform the following operations after closing to the public at
10:00pm.
Closing Procedures for Security Guards:
Closing Procedures for Managers:
1.The Manager on duty will begin to transfer cash from point of sale drawers into
the secure limited-access storage vault two hours prior to closing.
2.The Manager will also close out unnecessary point of sale systems by counting all
cash with a top of the line, digital currency counting machine, and entering the
cash drops in writing and into Yerba Wellness’ digital bookkeeping system.
3.The Manager will sanitize their hands thoroughly after counting currency.
38
4.After all customers have exited the premises, the Manager will transfer all cash
from all point of sale registers into the secure limited-access storage vault. The
Manager will count all cash on hand using electronic currency counting machines,
and log all cash-related activity and final amounts in Yerba Wellness’ written and
electronic bookkeeping system. The Manager will thoroughly sanitize their hands
and equipment and spaces used to count cash.
5.The Manager, assisted by Retail Associates, will proceed with counting retail
stock as it is placed into the transfer carts, and logging the movement of all
inventory back into the secure limited-access storage vault, into Meadow, Yerba
Wellness’ METRC integrated point of sale system.
6.The Manger will collect the daily Compassion Program files and reconcile
donated items as Free Medicinal Cannabis Goods into Meadow and METRC.
7.The Manager will place all cash, daily sales, and cash related records, invoices,
vendor receipts, and other daily documentation that is required to be stored in a
fireproof safe in accordance with State regulations into Yerba Wellness’ fireproof
safes that are located in the secure limited-access storage vault.
8.The Manager will close and lock all safes for the night.
9.Once all closing procedures are complete and the remaining employees are ready
to exit the building, everyone exits along with the Security Guard and the
Manager will arm the alarm and lock the public entrance.
Closing Procedures for Retail Associates:
1.All cannabis retail sales will cease promptly in the final minutes leading up to
10:00pm and all customers will be required to exit the building by 10:00pm.
2.Retail Associates will begin the end of day cleaning and sanitizing of the retail
area, break area, reception area and restroom at 10:00pm, obtaining restroom keys
from management, following the exit of the final customer. Security and retail
associates perform final cleaning, sanitization, and wipe down of commonly
traversed and touched areas including reception and retail area floors, doors,
counters, and any other spaces that may have been touched throughout the day.
Deep cleaning occurs weekly via Yerba Wellness’ approved cleaning service
under the supervision of Managers and Security Guards.
3.Under the supervision of the Manager, Retail Associates will begin the process of
counting unsold inventory to be returned into the secure limited-access storage
vault, counting each product type and category sku by sku and placing the items
into the stainless steel carts for return to the secure limited-access storage vault.
4.Upon completing cleaning and inventory counts, Retail Associates will check in
with the Manager for any additional tasks and help as needed.
Closing Procedures for all Employees:
1.Hourly employees will clock-out using biometric timeclock.
2.Employees will return their employee badges to the Security Guards.
3.Employees will be escorted to their vehicles by the Security Guards.
39
1.6. Daily Retail Operations
1.6 Daily operations. With as much detail as possible, the Business Plan should
describe the day-to-day operations which meet industry best practices.
Yerba Wellness has comprehensive policies and procedures for its day to day operations. Here,
Yerba Wellness will describe its policies and procedures for required postings and signage,
human resources, cleanliness and maintenance, daily security procedures, inventory procedures
and retail sales procedures.
Required Postings and Signage
Required postings and signage are an important part of running a compliant, legally protected
licensed cannabis business. In accordance with both local and State regulations, the interior and
exterior of Yerba Wellness will feature multiple required postings and signage. In accordance
with City of Fresno regulations, none of its postings or signage will reference or feature cannabis
(whether in writing or images). It is the responsibility of the General Manager or Manager on
duty to ensure the following required postings and signage are in place at all times on a daily
basis. Signage will be either produced in house or ordered from a local Fresno company.
Additional digital and posted signage may be featured in the retail sales area of Yerba Wellness
informing customers about daily deals, promotions, fundraisers, toy drives, the Compassion
Program, and other programs related to marketing and Yerba Wellness’ Corporate Social
Responsibility commitments.
1.Compatibility: All signage and postings will demonstrate compatibility with other
local businesses and neighborhood aesthetics and will also comply with City of
Fresno codes regarding building design and signage.
2.No Cannabis Signage: Yerba Wellness signage will not contain any logos or
information that identifies, advertises, or lists the services or the cannabis
products offered. No advertisements will be visible from the exterior of the
premises.
3.Compliance: Signage will comply with all applicable zoning and related
development standards including, but not limited to, parking, lighting, materials,
and colors and Fresno Municipal Code cannabis regulations SEC. 9-3309 (d), (h),
and (i).
4.No Onsite Consumption: Each entrance and the parking lot will prominently
display at all times a clear and legible weatherproof notice stating that smoking,
ingesting, or otherwise consuming cannabis or cannabis products on the premises
or in the areas adjacent to the business is strictly prohibited.
5.No Loitering: Each entrance and the parking lot will prominently display at all
times with a clear and legible weatherproof notice indicating that loitering is
prohibited in or around Yerba Wellness’ premises.
6.Video Surveillance & Alarm Monitoring: Yerba Wellness will place durable,
weatherproof signage on the interior and exterior of the premises informing
40
persons that the premises are under twenty-four hour video surveillance, as well
as signage from its security patrol and alarm company indicating that Yerba
Wellness is monitored twenty-four hours a day.
7.Right to Refuse Service: The reception area at the interior entrance of the
premises will be posted with standard, right to refuse service signage.
8.QR License Code: In accordance with California Bureau of Cannabis Control
emergency regulations, a weatherproof State issued QR license code for the
premises will be posted on or near Yerba Wellness’ public entrance.
9.Community Liaison: Laminated and weather proof posting of the name and
contact information, including phone number and email address, of Yerba
Wellness’ designated Neighborhood/Community Liaison will be posted on or
near Yerba Wellness’ public entrance at all times.
10.Adult Use Age Requirement: The entrance to Yerba Wellness will be clearly and
legibly posted with a notice that no person under the age of twenty-one (21) years
of age, except for medical use customers, is permitted to enter the premises of
Yerba Wellness’ retail cannabis business.
11.Medical Use Age Requirement: The entrance to Yerba Wellness will also be
clearly and legibly posted with a notice that no medical customer under the age of
eighteen (18) is permitted to enter the premises of Yerba Wellness’ retail cannabis
business.
12.Licensure: Local and State cannabis licenses, the Yerba Wellness sellers permit,
and the current license for Yerba Wellness’ contracted security provider will be
framed and posted at the interior reception area behind the reception counter.
13.COVID-19 Postings: Prominent signage will be posted on the public entrance of
Yerba Wellness, on the exterior of the reception area counter, and on the inside of
the retail sales floor door communicating the following requirements: six feet
social distancing, masks fully covering the nose and mouth, any person who is or
has recently experienced fever or cough, illness or any flu-like symptoms are not
to enter the premises. Social distancing signage will also be posted at eye level
near each point of sale station. The Social Distancing Protocol required by the
Fresno County Health Department shall be posted behind the reception area at all
times.
14.Handwashing: Signs will be posted in English and Spanish in each restroom
stating that employees must wash hands before returning to work and
infographics will be posted depicting proper handwashing techniques.
15.Prop 65 Notices: Prominent Proposition 65 signage will be posted in multiple
places throughout the premises including in the reception area, on the retail side
of the door entrance/exit of the retail sales area, and at near eye level at each point
of sale station, and in the secure storage area and back office.
16.Required Labor Postings: Yerba Wellness will maintain current Federal and State
employment compliance posters, displayed in the employee break room. This
signage will cover topics including: equal opportunity employment, payday
notices, break periods, minimum wage, emergency phone numbers, safety and
health protection on the job, injuries caused by work, employee rights under the
Fair Labor Standards Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, unemployment
compensation, disability insurance, COVID-19 paid leave, paid sick leave, family
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leave and maternity leave, rights and obligations as a pregnant employee, hate
violence and civil rights, transgender rights, sexual harassment rights, prevention
and whistleblower protection, and time off to vote. These posters will be obtained
from the EDD, Department of Labor, California Department of Fair Employment
and Housing, the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, and the California
Department of Industrial Relations. Signage will be provided in English, Spanish
and other languages as required and/or available.
17.Safety & Evacuation: Safety and evacuation maps which include maps indicating
safe and proper evacuation routes as well as the location of fire extinguishers will
be posted throughout the premises, as well as signage depicting how to properly
use a fire extinguisher per ourYerba Wellness’ Safety Plan (as described in
Section 4 of this application).
18.Discounts & Daily Limits: Signs in the retail sales area informing customers that
there are no double discounts and informing customers about state mandated daily
sales limits.
19.Packaging & Labeling: Signs in the vendor reception area that clearly indicate all
packaging and labeling requirements to ensure Yerba Wellness accepts only
legally compliant products and that Yerba Wellness will reject any shipments that
are improperly packaged or labelled.
20.Limited Access Areas: Permanent signage will be attached to limited access doors
to the secure storage area and back office identifying them as areas which are only
accessible by authorized personnel. Further, employee-only (non limited access)
areas such as the entrance to the back office and employee break room will be
posted with “Employees Only Beyond this Point” signs, and will have restricted
electronic access.
21.Exit and Emergency Exit: Exit and Emergency Exit signs will be posted as
identified in Yerba Wellness’ Safety Plan (as described in Section 4 of this
application).
Human Resources
Yerba Wellness will contract with GreenLeaf Payroll Solutions, Inc., an industry leading
organization providing payroll, human resources and benefits administration to licensed cannabis
companies. The General Manager will oversee day to day Human Resources operations with the
support of Yerba Wellness’ GreenLeaf Payroll Solutions team. Initial recruitment, hiring and
training will be conducted and managed by the Owners including the President, Community
Liaison and Chief Operations Officer, with assistance from the Vice President of Operations and
the Training Manager. Yerba Wellness’ Chief Legal Officer will provide counsel regarding
employment laws as needed.
Employee Hiring
1.Initial Hiring: The President, COO and VP of Operations will work with the
General Manager to hire all positions required to commence operations, in
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accordance with Yerba’s Wellness’ hiring plan described in Section 2 of this
application.
2.Job Postings & Recruitment: The VP of Operations will provide templates for job
postings for each position at Yerba Wellness to the General Manager for use in
ongoing hiring as needed. The General Manager will obtain approval from the
COO or VP of Operations prior to commencing any recruitment efforts. Job
postings will be posted online, in store and distributed to local workforce
organizations, colleges and universities, and other community organizations as
described in detail in Section 2 of this application. The General Manager,
Community Liaison and other officers and personnel will represent Yerba
Wellness at recruitment events. The General Manager will document all job
postings and recruitment efforts for the purposes of tracking Yerba Wellness’
hiring compliance and for inclusion in Yerba Wellness’ Corporate Social
Responsibility Report (as detailed in Section 2 of this application).
3.Interviewing: Prospective employees will be required to submit a resume, cover
letter and complete the Yerba Wellness job application for consideration of
employment. As part of Yerba Wellness’ day to day operations, the General
Manager or Manager on duty may engage in receiving and reviewing application
packages and interviewing applicants for potential employment with Yerba
Wellness. Additionally, the VP of Operations and Community Liaison will
conduct interviews with prospective candidates for employment and for Yerba
Wellness’ Mentorship Program. Interviewers will be trained in regards to proper
interview techniques and employment laws by Yerba Wellness’ Chief Legal
Officer.
4.References & Background Checks: Applicants will be required to provide
employment and character references and references will be checked and
documented by the General Manager or VP of Operations. Management level
employees will also be required to pass a background check and LiveScan as
required by City of Fresno municipal regulations.
5.Hiring: All hiring will require the approval of the VP of Operations, an Owner or
Executive team member for at least the first six months of operations during
which time the locally hired General Manager will be mentored on Yerba
Wellness recruitment and hiring practices. Hiring decisions are made based on
Yerba Wellness’ hiring plan, organizational needs, local hiring and workforce
requirements, and applicant potential. As Yerba Wellness grows, the staffing
budget will expand and the General Manager will begin to make day to day hiring
decisions.
6.Onboarding: All onboarding will be done electronically through the GreenLeaf
Payroll Solutions virtual human resources and timekeeping system. Access to
computers will be provided onsite for employees who may not have access at
home. Physical documentation for Form I-9 will be inspected and verified by the
General Manager or VP of Operations and uploaded online.
7.Applications for Employment: Yerba Wellness will use an application for
employment that collects standard information typically included on job
applications such as work history, references, and availability, as well as
voluntary demographics information pertinent to Yerba Wellness’ Corporate
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Social Responsibility Plan and local cannabis-specific hiring requirements. Yerba
Wellness will prioritize applicants that meet City of Fresno requirements for a
workforce plan (as described in Section 2.8 of this application). In addition to
completing applications, prospective employees will be asked to provide a resume
and cover letter.
8.Forms I-9 & W-4: These forms will be required for all employees and will be
completed online through Yerba Wellness’ payroll provider, GreenLeaf Payroll
Systems. Upon acceptance of the offer of employment, an email will be sent by
the General Manager or his/her designee to new employees with instructions on
how to sign up for direct deposit, clock in and out using biometric time clocks,
and complete forms W-4 and I-9. The General Manager will verify required forms
of identification and finalize the forms and HR backend online in conjunction
with Yerba Wellness’ GreenLeaf Payroll Systems representative.
9.Benefits: Please see Section 2.2 of this application for a comprehensive
description of benefits that Yerba Wellness is proud to offer its employees.
Benefits administration will be outsourced to GreenLeaf Payroll Solutions.
Employee Training
Yerba Wellness’ employee training programs are described in detail in Section 2.3 of this
application. Day to day training functions will be performed by the General Manager, VP of
Operations and/or Training Manager, with assistance from exemplary Yerba Wellness team
members. In addition to the required HR postings in Yerba Wellness’ employee break room,
management will maintain copies of various employee handbooks and manuals onsite in the
employee break room, at the reception area, in the management office, and in the fireproof safe
as part of Yerba Wellness’ required official records.
Whenever possible, as part of Yerba Wellness’ Sustainability Plan, hiring, training and reference
materials will be provided to employees digitally via noncopyable, password protected shared
remote drive files upon commencement of their employment with revocable access, as well as on
an as needed and periodic basis throughout their tenure with Yerba Wellness. Tablets and
computers throughout the facility will feature quick link, app style icons for hiring, training and
reference materials and program.
Employee Management
Day to day management of employees will be a collaborative effort, particularly during the first
six months of Yerba Wellness operations. Generally, the Managers will be responsible for
supervising and mentoring Retail Associates, with the General Manager and VP of Operations
managing and mentoring Retail Managers and enforcing the Yerba Wellness disciplinary policy
on an as needed and day to day basis.
Employees, particularly Managers, will be trained in healthy, positive communication techniques
as well as provided with free copies of Sacred Commerce by Terces Englehart and The One
Minute Manager by Kenneth Spencer and Spencer Johnson. Sacred Commerce offers a manual
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for building a community in the workplace, and is a special resource to Yerba Wellness’
organization that details core values in consciousness in business that are followed by Yerba
Wellness.
1.Personnel Files: The General Manager will be responsible for the upkeep of all
personnel files, including initial hire paperwork, copies of performance reviews,
any disciplinary write ups, positive customer feedback submitted online,
employee recognition, copies of employee badges, applications, resumes and all
other required documentation. A current employee contact information file will be
maintained by the General Manager, who will be responsible for adding new
hires, assigning employee numbers, removing former employees, keeping contact
information current, and keeping the roles and responsibilities up to date. This
digital file will be shared with Managers and will be used to order badges, email
work schedules, memorandums from owners or management, COVID-19 health
and safety information, training materials and other documentation. This
information will be considered confidential and will not be shared outside of
Yerba Wellness, unless required by law enforcement or local or state authorities.
2.Timekeeping: All timekeeping will be handled through GreenLeaf Payroll
Solutions, a leading provider of payroll and human resources services specializing
in the cannabis industry. Hourly staff will use biometric clocks to clock in and out
before and at the end of shifts and for all breaks. At the end of each pay period,
the General Manager will ensure the accuracy of timekeeping entries and will
finalize the entries for that pay period by emailing Yerba Wellness’ GreenLeaf
assigned representative. The VP of Operations and the Chief Operations Officer
will then receive emailed payroll reports.
3.Employee Numbers: The General Manager will assign three digit employee
numbers in chronological order by date of hire starting with 001, 002, etc. and
will maintain a record of all employee names, numbers, department and position,
and contact information. Each employee number is permanent and will not change
unless an employee is rehired after previously being employed.
4.Employee Badges: The General Manager will be responsible for ordering badges,
issuing badges to new employees and repossessing badges after an employee has
ended their employment relationship with Yerba Wellness. Copies of employee
badges will be kept with personnel files as part of Yerba Wellness official
records. Should a badge become lost or missing, the owners, Security Guards and
all Managers will be notified. The General Manager will obtain a new badge to
replace the missing badge. When an employee leaves employment they will be
required to return their employee badge to the General Manager. Former
employees’ badges will be photocopied, the photocopy will be placed in the
former employee’s file, and the original badge will be destroyed.
5.Employee Performance Reviews: Periodic performance reviews will be conducted
by upper management, including the General Manager, VP of Operations, Chief
Operations Officer and President. These reviews will allow employees and
management to communicate openly about the performance of each employee,
and Yerba Wellness’ team as a whole. The factors considered for pay increases
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and promotions will include job performance, staff and customer feedback,
disciplinary action taken, if any, attitude and dependability, among others.
6.Employee Recognition and Rewards: The Yerba Wellness executive team
strongly believes in positive reinforcement and encourages employee recognition
and rewards on a frequent basis. The Marketing Manager will maintain an area in
the employee break room where copies of positive customer feedback and
reviews will be posted for employees to see, and the General Manager and
Managers on duty will use this space to post positive feedback about employees.
Additionally, the Marketing Manager will work with upper management to
determine promotions and contests for employees to earn bonuses and other
incentives based on point of sale activity and key performance indicators.
7.All Hands Meetings: Yerba Wellness will conduct meetings of all the employees
before opening hours at least once a month or more often if necessary. During the
recognition portion of these employee meetings, which will be facilitated by the
highest ranking manager present, employees will be asked to take turns
recognizing another team member for something positive he or she has done.
Managers will also recognize top performing team members for a job well done,
creating enthusiasm. These meetings also cover training related topics,
motivation, industry and Yerba Wellness Updates, and allow staff and
management to communicate openly about questions or concerns.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
Yerba Wellness takes pride in running a spotless facility and a professional organization.
Ensuring daily cleanliness of the premises is a team effort and is all employees’ responsibility.
Security Guards will assist with litter, trash and recycling removal. Retail Associates and
Managers will assist with sweeping, mopping and wiping down surfaces as well as ensuring
cleanliness of the employee break area. Each work area will be sanitized by personnel working in
those areas on at least an hourly basis. Yerba Wellness will contract with a Fresno cleaning
company to provide weekly deep cleanings of the premises.
The General Manager will be responsible for purchasing cleaning supplies, and directing
premises maintenance, working in conjunction with the Security Manager to manage the flow of
repair persons, cleaning service personnel, and Yerba Wellness’ local handyman in and out of
the premises.
1.Cleanliness: Yerba Wellness’ retail premises will be kept in a strictly clean and
orderly state at all times via routine and deep cleanings and immediate
responsiveness to disorder.
2.Storage: All cleaning equipment and products and backstock of bathroom tissue
and towels will be stored in the utility closet when not in use. Each restroom will
be stocked with hand soap, seat liners, bathroom tissue and towels at all times.
3.Sanitization: Additional sanitizing materials will be kept in designated areas
under/behind the reception and retail sales counters, in each restroom, in the back
office areas and in the employee break room. Yerba Wellness will use eco
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friendly paper towels and both eco conscious, hospital grade disinfectant as well
as an 80% dilution of 98% isopropyl alcohol to routinely disinfect all frequently
touched surfaces.
4.Restroom Keys: Yerba Wellness’ premises features two restrooms. In compliance
with Fresno municipal cannabis regulations, both restrooms will be kept locked at
all times. Upon request, customers will be provided by management with a key to
the retail sales area restroom by Retail Associates. The employee only restroom in
the back of the house will be accessible only by employees of Yerba Wellness
upon receipt of a key from management. Management will ensure all restroom
keys are returned promptly after use.
5.Restroom Inspections: A clipboard with a restroom inspection and cleaning log
will be hung on the inside of each restroom door to ensure that restrooms are
maintained each shift. Managers and Retail Associates are responsible for
ensuring that inspections and tidying up as needed occur each shift.
6.Routine Cleaning: Routine cleaning will be conducted daily by all employees on
each shift similar to side work at a restaurant or other similar retail professions.
Tasks will include tidying up, sanitizing, wiping down surfaces, sweeping,
mopping, litter removal, trash and recycling removal as well as cleaning up
spillages, break room areas, ensuring restrooms are stocked with necessary
supplies, etc.
7.Cleaning Schedule: A thorough schedule will be developed by the General
Manager which will include both routine cleaning tasks and side work for each
shift, regular deep cleanings, and tasks for special cleaning related projects, such
as before or after hours removal and cleaning of air filters.
8.Ancillary Services Providers: Any ancillary services providers such as janitors,
utility repair persons, and pest control providers who are hired to perform work in
the premises will be treated as visitors and will be documented in the visitors log,
and given badges for the duration of their visits and are supervised at all times by
the Manager and Security Guards while onsite.
9.Weekly Deep Cleanings: Deep cleanings will be conducted weekly by a
contracted Fresno cleaning service, using environmentally friendly cleaning
products and equipment whenever possible. Weekly deep cleanings will include
thorough scrub down and disinfecting of all restrooms, breakroom, common
areas, offices, windows, and surfaces. Additional cleaning of vents, ceilings,
walls, filters, hard to reach areas or other necessary cleaning tasks are completed
on an as needed basis.
10.Pest Control: A local Orkin Pest Control representative will conduct preventative
pest control onsite monthly using eco conscious resources whenever possible.
Yerba Wellness will also call Orkin Pest Control for any emergency pest control
needs.
11.Environmental Controls: The premises will be temperature controlled for product
quality assurance. The inventory storage area will also be humidity controlled to
ensure product quality and to prevent degradation. The thermostat will only be
accessible by Managers to ensure that Yerba Wellness maintains proper
environmental controls. The Manager on duty will be responsible for monitoring
temperature and humidity.
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12.Maintenance Personnel: Experienced local maintenance staff will be contracted to
respond within twenty-four hours to any maintenance issues in order to ensure
that everything at the Yerba Wellness premises is kept in a safe, proper working
order. Contact information for multiple maintenance personnel will be kept in the
employee break room and in the management back office. Emergency
maintenance contacts will be posted in the employee break room.
13.Maintenance Calendar: A maintenance calendar will be kept by the General
Manager, scheduling routine maintenance of all systems including plumbing,
electrical, HVAC, security systems including cameras and alarms, as well as
maintenance of all electronic locks and security hardware including exterior
locks, gates, etc.
14.Maintenance Log: An up to date maintenance log will kept by the General
Manager with entries made by Managers and Security Guards which documents
all facilities related maintenance, including routine maintenance, emergency
maintenance, systems failure or equipment troubleshooting, incidents or repairs
involving systems such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, internet or any other
equipment.
Daily Security Procedures
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Visitors
As necessary, only approved visitors such as vendors, service providers, regulators and law
enforcement will be allowed into the Yerba Wellness premises. The Security Manager and
Security Guards will monitor all visitors for the entire duration of their visit to Yerba Wellness.
1.Age & Identity Verification: Visitors will be required to present a valid
government-issued identification for age and identity verification by Security.
2.Visitors Badges: Visitors will be required to wear a visitors badge at all times
while onsite at the Yerba Wellness for the entire duration of their visit. Upon
entry and verification of age and identity by a Security Guard, and signing into
the visitors log, visitors will be issued visitor-only badges bearing the Yerba
Wellness logo and retail cannabis license number. Visitors badges must be
returned to a Security Guard prior to a visitor exiting Yerba Wellness. All visitor
badges will be sanitized between uses.
3.Visitors Log: Security are responsible for ensuring that all visitors to Yerba
Wellness accurately complete the visitors log detailing the visitor’s name,
company or organization they represent if any, the date, the purpose of their visit,
and the times they enter and exit the premises. The visitors log is retained as part
of Yerba Wellness official records.
4.Visitor Supervision: All visitors allowed into the Yerba Wellness premises will be
accompanied by a Security Guard or a Manager for the entire duration of their
visit.
Employee Badges
Enforcing Yerba Wellness policies regarding employee badges is an important responsibility of
the Security Managers and the Security Guards. Security maintains possession of all Yerba
Wellness badges when not in use. All employees and officers must wear a Yerba Wellness badge
at all times bearing his or her name, photo, employee number, and Yerba Wellness’ retail
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cannabis license number. At the beginning of each shift, a Security Guard will distribute badges
to each employee and will ensure that each employee returns possession of their badge at the end
of each shift. All badges will be sanitized between uses.
Security Log
The Security Manager and Security Guards will ensure that all Limited Access Areas of the
Yerba Wellness premises are accessed only by authorized personnel and in compliance with all
State and local regulations. Permanent signage will be affixed to limited access doors to the
secure storage area and back office identifying them as areas which are only accessible by
authorized personnel. Non-employee visitors or staff who typically do not have clearance to
enter a Limited Access Area who are granted access to Limited Access Areas will be supervised
by Security or a member of management for the duration of their visit. Please see Section 5 of
this application for a diagram of the Limited Access Areas.
1.Access: Employees will have access to the retail and common areas, and may be
granted access to controlled and/or limited access areas depending on their level
of responsibility, or under the supervision of a Manager. Visitors may be granted
access to limited access areas on a limited basis, and only when escorted by a
Manager. Any such access by a visitor will be documented and the records will be
retained. The Security Manager will ensure that any revocation in access for any
individual (employee or visitor) is documented and enforced in a professional and
vigilant manner.
2.Records: The General Manager and each Manager will maintain a record of all
authorized individuals who are not employees who are allowed access to
limited-access areas. The record will include the name of the individual, the
company the individual works for, the reason the individual entered the
limited-access area, the date, and the times the individual entered and exited the
limited-access area. The limited access visitors log will be signed by the Manager
or Security Guard accompanying and supervising the approved visitor into the
space.
Daily Inventory Procedures
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Yerba Wellness’ day to day inventory procedures are designed to ensure that all inventory is
intaken, stored, transferred and displayed in a legally compliant and secure manner. Inventory
procedures will be performed on a day to day basis by the General Manager and Retail Managers
on duty. Under the direction of Managers, Retail Associates will assist with simple inventory
related functions including staging of inventory for display to customers. The General Manager,
under the supervision of the VP of Operations, Chief Operations Officer and President, is
responsible for ensuring that day to day inventory procedures are followed by all employees.
Inventory Security and Limited Access
Inventory Storage
Inventory will be stored only in the secure storage area which will be temperature and humidity
controlled to ensure product quality and prevent any degradation. All cannabis goods will be
stored in a well organized, high security manner using an efficient system whereby each product
category and brand has its own designated location in the secure storage area. The temperature
and humidity of the secure storage area will be monitored throughout the hours of operation by
the Manager on duty for product quality assurance.
1.Cleanliness & Organization: The secure storage area will be kept in a strictly
clean and organized fashion, with no products out of place. All inventory storage
sections will be clearly labelled by the General Manager as to which product
category and specific brand is contained therewithin. Using industrial storage
racks, each product category will have a designated space in the secure storage
area where back stock is maintained in clear drawers to prevent products from
falling or spilling into other storage sections.
2.Safety: All inventory storage will be earthquake proof and compatible with local
and State regulations as well as compatible with OSHA best practices. Employees
will follow OSHA guidelines regarding lifting or carrying inventory and will be
directed to ask other employees for assistance with heavier items.
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3.Security:
4.Loss Prevention: Loss prevention measures for the secure storage area will
include limiting access to the space, frequent inventory reconciliation through the
track and trace and retail point of sale as well as continual security detail and
video surveillance monitoring.
5.Quality Control: The secure storage area will be temperature and humidity
controlled to optimal levels for cannabis goods storage. The secure access storage
will be equipped with a hygrometer which will display the humidity of the space
at any given time. Humidity will be manually adjusted as needed with humidifiers
and the temperature will be controlled via a mini split installed in the area. The
only interaction of cannabis goods with light will be artificial, and this will be
limited as much as possible.
6.Spot Checks: All aspects of the secure storage area conditions will be spot
checked and maintained throughout the day by a Manager to ensure that cannabis
goods are properly stored in a compliant manner, and that the cannabis goods
storage area is properly climate controlled.
Inventory Training
All employees whose responsibilities include handling cannabis goods will be fully trained
regarding inventory procedures, receiving instruction verbally and in writing by the VP of
Operations, Training Manager and/or General Manager using Yerba Wellness’ Standard
Operating Procedures Inventory Training Manual. Employees will be trained only in those
aspects that are necessary for their job performance including proper organization of the
inventory storage area, retail inventory staging and product placement, inventory counting and
reconciliation, point of sale and track and trace entries, and internal audit procedures.
1.Point of Sale: The General Manager, Retail Managers and Retail Associates will
be fully trained on the use of Meadow, the retail point of sale system that will be
used by Yerba Wellness. Only once a new employee can demonstrate operational
competence of Meadow and familiarity with the cannabis products and
procedures, will that new employee be authorized to conduct transactions without
a supervising Retail Associate or Retail Manager.
2.Access Levels: The General Manager will determine the appropriate employee
access levels for Meadow retail point of sale and METRC track and trace
software. For example, a Retail Associate would only be granted access to
conduct sale transactions, while Managers would be granted access to inventory
management and reporting functionality.
3.Credentials: After completing training, new employees will be provided with
login credentials for Meadow and/or METRC. The General Manager will
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maintain a record of all employees with Meadow or METRC credentials,
including the first and last name and username of each employee with access.
Only the Officers, General Manager and designated Retail Manager shall have
access to the Yerba Wellness METRC track and trace backend.
4.Spot Check & Retraining: Managers will periodically spot check both data and
records as well as employee knowledge of standard operating procedures from
time to time to ensure competency and provide retraining if necessary. Training
logs will be kept and produced to local and state regulators upon demand.
Inventory Purchasing Procedures
Yerba Wellness process for purchasing cannabis inventory will include utilization of par levels
notifications that will be integrated into Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system, proper vetting and
vendor selection, compliance with all regulations concerning movement or transfer of inventory,
and quality control.
Please reference the end of this document for the cannabis goods intake checklists and
infographic guides from the California Department of Public Health Manufactured Cannabis
Safety Branch, which employees will be trained to use and follow on a daily basis.
1.Vendor Selection: Yerba Wellness will conduct extensive due diligence of all
potential vendors to ensure that all suppliers of cannabis goods to Yerba Wellness
are properly licensed, insured and are operating in compliance with all State and
local regulations regarding packaging of labeling of cannabis goods. Yerba
Wellness will rate prospective vendors based on sustainability, responsiveness
and lead times, product and supply consistency, pricing, customer and staff
feedback and corporate values including social responsibility, and will only order
from highly rated vendors.
2.Social Equity Vendors: Yerba Wellness is committed to social equity in the
cannabis industry and thus will prioritize purchasing from Fresno social equity
cannabis businesses. Please see Sections 2, 3 and 7 of this application for a robust
description of Yerba Wellness’ commitment to social equity.
3.Product Categories & Performance: Yerba Wellness will utilize both its own
historical point of sale data as well as industry-wide sales data from BDS
Analytics Inc., a Boulder, Colorado based cannabis market intelligence and
research company that is a leader in commercial cannabis industry reporting, to
determine quantities of each product category, and more granularly, which
specific brands and skus to purchase. Yerba Wellness will also incorporate
qualitative data such as customer and employee feedback to inform inventory
purchasing. Yerba Wellness will evaluate purchasing efficacy at a minimum on a
monthly basis as part of Yerba Wellness’ internal audit procedures.
4.Par Level Inventory Ordering: Yerba Wellness will use Meadow as its point of
sale system, which features the option to automate par (low inventory) levels
notifications for each cannabis product category. The General Manager will also
manually establish low inventory thresholds based on a historical sales data
formulation, triggering a notification that the inventory for that category is low.
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When the item inventory drops below the threshold set by the General Manager,
the item will be flagged as “Low” in Meadow. The General Manager will review
the Inventory tab in Meadow at the beginning of each week, filter to show items
that are flagged as “Low” and add those items to the proposed order sheet for the
week. The General Manager will then use this order sheet to inform inventory
purchasing. As inventory movement can be unpredictable, both the General
Manager and Retail Managers will frequently monitor the low inventory list to
prevent any shortages and maintain product consistency for Yerba Wellness’
customers.
5.Ordering Process: Yerba Wellness’ process of ordering inventory will incorporate
anticipated lead times for deliveries, ensuring that Yerba Wellness maintains a
healthy stock of inventory at all times. The General Manager will maintain a
vendor spreadsheet with each vendor’s license number, point of contact and
contact information, website, popular skus, pricing, order minimums if any and
lead times. Inventory analysis and ordering will occur frequently in the initial
stages of Yerba Wellness’ operations, with the goal of streamlining ordering to
two days per week within ninety days of operations. The General Manager, under
the direction of the VP of Operations and Chief Operations Officer, will perform
day to day ordering functions including vendor communication and order
preparation.
6.Acceptance of Deliveries: Yerba Wellness will accept deliveries of new inventory
Tuesday through Thursday between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm.
Distribution vendors delivering cannabis goods will have their age and identity
verified by a Security Guard, be recorded in the reception area visitors log, issued
a visitors badge, and escorted into the building through the vendor-only door by a
Manager under the supervision of a Security Guard into the limited access vendor
intake area, where the vendor will sign into the limited access visitors log. At
Yerba Wellness, cannabis goods will be received only by Managers, who will be
fully trained in complying with all Yerba Wellness Standard Operating
Procedures and State and local laws relative to their positions including
regulations regarding intake of new cannabis goods. The limited access vendor
intake area will feature prominent posting of all packaging and labeling
requirements for ease of reference.
7.Vendor Delivery Intake: The Manager on duty will conduct a thorough intake
process prior to accepting any delivery of cannabis goods. This includes
verification of extensive packaging and labeling requirements for both flower
only cannabis products as well as manufactured cannabis products. These
reference guides provided by the California Department of Public Health -
Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch include the following checklists:
Cannabis Packaging; Flower Only and Pre-rolled Cannabis Labeling;
Manufactured Cannabis Products Labeling (concentrates, tinctures, edibles,
vaporizers, etc.) and Child Resistant Packaging - will be posted prominently in
Yerba Wellness’ inventory intake area and will be used for each product delivery.
8.Documentation: Yerba Wellness will require that a Shipping Manifest, Product
Details List and Certificate of Analysis for each cannabis goods batch is presented
to the Manager for each prospective cannabis inventory intake. The Manager will
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ensure accuracy of the shipment documentation including verification that actual
quantities of units and unique identifiers (UIDs) comport with data on the
manifest and Certificate of Analysis, that the vendor’s license is active using the
BCC online license lookup tool or by scanning the vendor’s license QR code, and
will follow all regulations below regarding acceptance or rejection of shipments.
The limited access visitors log will be updated to include the name of the
individual attempting the delivery, the company the individual works for, the
reason the individual entered the limited-access area, the date, and the times the
individual entered and exited the limited-access area. These records shall be made
available to regulatory authorities immediately upon request in either hard copy or
electronic format.
9.Acceptance or Rejection of Shipments: Only if the shipment passes all quality
assurance and compliance checks, and the information on the shipping manifest
and Certificate of Analysis match the inspection and accounting of physical
cannabis goods present, will the shipment be accepted by Yerba Wellness. The
shipping manifest and related documentation will be kept as part of Yerba
Wellness’ official records. Accepted shipments will then be physically transferred
into Yerba Wellness’ secure access vault room, and will be electronically
accepted into Yerba Wellness’ METRC track and trace and Meadow point of sale
system by the Manager within twenty-four hours. Shipments that are not in
compliance with State laws will be immediately rejected, and the distributor will
be notified by the Manager of the reason(s) that the shipment was rejected or
denied. Shipments will be accepted or rejected in their entirety - if a partial
amount of the shipment is noncompliant, Yerba Wellness will reject the shipment
and the vendor must maintain possession of the entire shipment and transport it
back to the originating distribution facility.
10.Samples: It is a common cannabis business practice for vendors to offer samples
to Managers and employees in efforts to gain accounts. Yerba Wellness will
require that all vendor samples must be provided in the same fully compliant
manner as any other cannabis goods shipment. Distributors attempting to provide
cannabis goods which are non-compliant, including free samples to employees or
Managers which are not included on shipping manifest documentation, will be
notified that Yerba Wellness only conducts business with suppliers that are in full
compliance with local and State laws and that samples must be documented.
Noncompliant samples will be rejected.
Please see the following images depicting some of the Yerba Wellness proposed product lines.
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Inventory Reconciliation Procedures
Yerba Wellness will be able to account for all of its inventory at any given time. Any and all
movement of cannabis goods within the premises will be documented in Yerba Wellness’ point
of sale system, including intake of new verified shipments of cannabis goods, movement of
inventory from the back stock secure limited access storage area to the retail sales floor or vice
versa, movement of merchandise for delivery into the delivery vehicle or back to the retail
premises, and movement of cannabis goods which have become waste into the waste
management receptacles.
1.Inventory Counts: Inventory counts will be performed by product category before
Yerba Wellness is opened to the public and throughout the day by the General
Manager and a designated inventory assistant (a Retail Manager or a Retail
Associate under the supervision of the General Manager). Using the point of sale
system inventory reconciliation report, each product categorically by sku will be
physically counted, with the cannabis goods for each sku visually inspected for
quality assurance, including verification the item has not expired. Items which
have expired are removed from inventory as waste and disposed of according to
Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan (please see Section 3.7 of this
application for a robust description of Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan)
. The General Manager will document the actual totals of each sku physically
counted in the point of sale system prior to moving onto the next sku. Barcode
scanners may be used for quickness and ease of counting, as long as the General
Manager verifies that the scanners are in proper working order.
2.Reconciliations: In addition to the daily inventory counts that take place, a full
inventory reconciliation will take place weekly. In conducting an inventory
reconciliation, using the protocol above, the General Manager will verify that the
facility’s physical inventory is consistent with Yerba Wellness’ point of sale and
METRC records pertaining to inventory for each product category, sku and
sample. A report of each weekly inventory reconciliation will be provided to the
VP of Operations and the Chief Operations Officer within 24 hours of all
inventory reconciliations.
3.Records Retention: The results of full inventory reconciliations will be retained as
part of Yerba Wellness’ official records, and will be made available to local or
State regulators upon request.
4.Discrepancies & Notification: If during an inventory reconciliation, a Manager
identifies any evidence of theft, diversion, or loss, or any significant discrepancy
in inventory counts, as defined in Section 5034 of the Bureau of Cannabis Control
regulations, the Manager will immediately notify the President, Chief Operations
Officer, and VP of Operations. An internal investigation will immediately
commence. They will confirm the known facts of the situation, then notify local
and state regulators and law enforcement within twenty-four hours. Significant
inventory discrepancies are defined in Section 5034 of the Bureau of Cannabis
Control regulations as three percent or more of average monthly sales. The
acquisition price including excise tax will be used to determine the value of the
missing inventory.
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Removal of Cannabis Goods from Inventory
Cannabis goods will only be removed from inventory for retail sale or delivery, for display, and
if necessary, such as for product expiration or recalls, for destruction according to State laws and
Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan (please see Section 3.7 of this application for a robust
description of Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan).
METRC Track and Trace Procedures
Yerba Wellness will record all commercial cannabis activity, such as the intake of new approved
cannabis goods shipments, into its METRC account within twenty-four hours of an activity
occurring. Yerba Wellness will only enter and record complete and accurate information into the
METRC track and trace system, and will correct any discovered errors entered into the METRC
track and trace system immediately upon discovery. Movement of all cannabis inventory
throughout the premises from one area to another, such as from the secure storage area to the
sales floor before opening or during the hours of operations, and back to the secure storage area
after closing, or for transport during deliveries will be recorded in Yerba Wellness’ point of sale
system.
1.Activities: Yerba Wellness will record all commercial cannabis activities in
METRC, including intake of cannabis goods, sale of cannabis goods, return of
cannabis goods, disposal and/or destruction of cannabis goods, or any other
activity required to be recorded pursuant to the Bureau of Cannabis Control
regulations or any other licensing authority.
2.Documentation: Yerba Wellness will record the following information for each
activity entered in the track and trace system - the name and type of the cannabis
goods, unique identifier of the cannabis goods (UID), amount of the cannabis
goods, by weight or count, total wholesale cost of the cannabis goods, as
applicable, the date and time of the activity or transaction, and the name and
license number of those involved in the activity or transaction.
3.Disposal of Cannabis Goods: Any destruction or disposal of cannabis goods will
be done in accordance with Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan (please see
Section 3.7 for a robust description of Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan).
Yerba Wellness will record in the track and trace system the following additional
information - the name of the employee performing the destruction or disposal,
the reason for destruction and disposal, the entity disposing of the cannabis waste,
as well as a description for any adjustments made in the track and trace system,
including, but not limited to spoilage or fouling of the cannabis goods, any event
resulting in damage, exposure, or compromise of the cannabis goods, and any
other information as required pursuant to any applicable licensing authorities.
4.Track and Trace Account Manager: Yerba Wellness will designate the General
Manager as the track and trace system account manager. The account manager
will authorize additional owners or employees as track and trace system users and
will ensure that each user is trained on the track and trace system prior to its
access or use. The account manager will attend and successfully complete all
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required virtual track and trace system training, including any orientation and
continuing education. The account manager and each user will be assigned a
unique login, consisting of a username and password. The account manager or
each user accessing the track and trace system will only do so under his or her
assigned log-on, and will not use or access a log-on of any other individual. No
account manager or user shall share or transfer his or her log-on, username, or
password, to be used by any other individual for any reason. The account manager
will maintain a complete, accurate, and up-to-date list of all track and trace
system users, consisting of their full names and usernames.
5.METRC Reconciliation: State law requires cannabis retail businesses to formally
reconcile physical inventory to the track and trace system at least once every
thirty days. Yerba Wellness will formally reconcile physical inventory to the track
and trace system on a weekly basis, or more frequently if directed by the General
Manager. In the event that a discovery is made of a discrepancy between Yerba
Wellness’ physical inventory and the track and trace system, the General Manager
will immediately notify the President, Chief Operations Officer, and VP of
Operations. An internal investigation will immediately commence to confirm the
known facts of the situation. The President will then notify local and State
regulators and law enforcement as aforementioned and further detailed below.
6.Compliance: Yerba Wellness will fully comply with all State and local
regulations regarding METRC track and trace. Yerba Wellness will create and
maintain an active and functional account within the METRC track and trace
system prior to engaging in any commercial cannabis activity, including the
purchase, sale, test, packaging, transfer, transport, return, destruction, or disposal,
of any cannabis goods.
7.METRC Notifications: Yerba Wellness will monitor all compliance notifications
from the track and trace system,and timely resolve the issues detailed in the
compliance notification. The METRC account manager will keep a record,
independent of the track and trace system, of all compliance notifications received
from the track and trace system, and how and when compliance was achieved. If
Yerba Wellness is unable to resolve a compliance notification within three
business days of receiving the notification, Yerba Wellness will notify the Bureau
of Cannabis Control immediately, by submitting the Notification and Request
Form, BCC-LIC-027.
8.Loss of Connectivity: If at any point Yerba Wellness loses connectivity to the
METRC track and trace system for any reason, Yerba Wellness will prepare and
maintain comprehensive written records detailing all commercial cannabis
activities that were conducted during the loss of connectivity. Yerba Wellness will
notify the Bureau of Cannabis Control immediately of any loss of connectivity,
and will not receive any cannabis goods until such time as connectivity is
restored. Once connectivity has been restored, within three calendar days, Yerba
Wellness will enter all commercial cannabis activity that occurred during the loss
of connectivity into the track and trace system. Yerba Wellness will document the
cause for loss of connectivity, and the date and time for when connectivity to the
track and trace system was lost and when it was restored. If the loss of
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connectivity was due to an internal issue, the issue will be thoroughly
investigated, documented and resolved.
Notification of Theft, Loss, and Criminal Activity
Yerba Wellness will notify local and State regulators and local law enforcement within
twenty-four hours of discovery of any of the following situations:
1.A significant discrepancy, as aforementioned;
2.Diversion, theft, loss, or any other criminal activity pertaining to Yerba Wellness’
operations, as aforementioned;
3.Diversion, theft, loss, or any other criminal activity by an agent or employee of
the licensee pertaining to the operations;
4.Loss or unauthorized alteration of records related to cannabis goods, customers,
or Yerba Wellness’ employees or agents; and
5.Any other breach of security;
Notifications to the Bureau of Cannabis Control will be made using the current version of the
Bureau’s Notification form.
Retail Sales Procedures
Yerba Wellness’ retail sales procedures will ensure that both customers and employees have a
positive, educational, efficient, and compliant sales experience. These procedures include
customer check-in and new customer orientation, use of the point of sale system, product
selection and transaction completion, as well as discount policies, compliance with daily limits,
returns or recalls, and Yerba Wellness’ Compassion Program.
Customer Check-In Procedures
After completion of the opening procedures, Yerba Wellness’ employees will be prepared to
welcome and check-in customers. Security Guards will check customers into the premises.
Security Guards and Retail Associates will be trained in customer service and to greet each
customer in a pleasant, professional manner, asking if they are a new customer, or if they are a
returning customer, and thanking them for visiting Yerba Wellness.
1.Access: Only adult use customers aged twenty-one years and older with valid
government-issued identification, and medical customers or verified primary
caregivers aged eighteen years and older with proper medical recommendation
documentation and valid government-issued identification will be granted
admittance into the Yerba Wellness premises.
2.Identification: Security Guards will be trained on identifying acceptable forms of
identification including, but not limited to, (a) a valid motor vehicle operator's
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license, that contains the name, date of birth, height, gender, and photo of the
customer; (b) a valid identification card issued to a member of the Armed Forces
that includes the customer’s name, date of birth, and photo; or (c) a valid passport
issued by the United States or by a foreign government. Expired identification
will not be accepted.
3.COVID-19 Safety: Prior to entering the Yerba Wellness premises, customers will
be greeted with signage pertaining to COVID-19 health and safety regulations
which include prominent statements that they are not to enter the premises if they
are experiencing fever or cough, illness, or any flu-like symptoms, as well as
signage informing all customers and visitors that they must wear a mask or face
covering that fully covers their noses and mouths while on site. Security Guards
will not admit customers who indicate or appear that they are experiencing
symptoms of COVID-19 or who refuse to wear a mask. For Yerba Wellness’
customers’ convenience, it will supply disposable surgical grade masks for
customer use as needed.
4.Check-in Process: Security Guards will conduct a visual inspection of each
customer’s government-issued identification to ensure validity and that the person
presenting the government-issued identification is the person identified on it.
Yerba Wellness Security Guards will also verify the authenticity of each
government-issued identification using a contactless electronic identification
verification system which checks the customer into Yerba Wellness’ point of sale
service queue. New guests whose identification has not been previously scanned
into Yerba Wellness’ point of sale contactless identification verification scanner
will automatically have a note in their new electronic customer record notifying
Retail Associates that they are new customers.
5.Entry Procedures: Customers carrying backpacks or large bags will be instructed
to leave their bags with the Security Guard while inside the retail premises.
Customers wearing hats, sunglasses, or anything that could potentially restrict
video surveillance identification will be asked to remove said items prior to being
buzzed in to the Yerba Wellness retail sales premises.
New Customer Orientation Procedures
Yerba Wellness prides itself on providing all customers with an exceptional level of customer
service during every visit. For new customers, employees will inquire if this is the customer’s
first time visiting a cannabis retail business. New customers will be oriented with a brief but
thorough New Customer Orientation, with educational resources offered particularly for medical
cannabis patients and customers who are visiting a cannabis retail business for the first time.
1.New Customer Overview: Customers who are visiting a cannabis retail business
for the first time and customers who are new to Yerba Wellness will be given a
brief, but thorough overview by a Retail Associate, during which they are shown
Yerba Wellness’ digital menus, informed of any discounts, product offerings,
product/brand highlights, special promotions, introductory offers. New customers
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will also be educated about the rules of visiting Yerba Wellness such as purchase
limits and no onsite consumption.
2.New Medical Cannabis Patient Orientation: New medical patients will be offered
detailed information about the use of cannabis, including various product
categories, potencies, dosing, methods of consumption, and possible or
anticipated side effects. Medical patients will be reminded that this information is
not medical advice, but rather is more of a helpful guide to safe and proper use of
cannabis.
3.Consumer Resources: New customers will be provided with the option of
receiving informative brochures from Americans For Safe Access
(safeaccessnow.org) about the safe and proper use of cannabis either digitally or
as available, in print.
Customer Sales Process
The Yerba Wellness customer sales process is informed by many years of successful retail
cannabis sales experience and includes not only completing compliant and satisfactory
transactions, but also providing the exceptional level of Yerba Wellness customer service and
education that Yerba Wellness commits to for each and every transaction completed at Yerba
Wellness. Yerba Wellness’ sales process includes not only compliance and efficiencies, but
intangibles such as active listening and positive communications techniques to ensure that
customers feel seen, heard and appreciated.
1.Greeting and Welcome: All Yerba Wellness staff is trained in courtesy and are
expected to greet, welcome and thank each customer who visits the facility.
2.Consumer Preferences: Retail Associates will identify which customer they are
helping in the queue by asking the customer for their first name, and selecting that
customer in Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system queue. If a customer has
already been through the aforementioned new customer orientation process, the
sales process begins. Retail Associates are trained to ask customers how we may
help them and if they are looking for something specific today or are interested in
particular product categories such as flower, vape cartridges, edibles, prerolls,
concentrates, topicals, etc. or certain quantities such as grams, eighths (3.5
grams), or specific dosages, grades, or product types (high dose, low dose, CBD
only, indica, sativa, hybrid, etc.).
3.Product Knowledge: Retail Associates and Managers will be well trained and
knowledgeable about Yerba Wellness’ product offerings as well as consumer
trends and preferences. Customers asking for recommendations will be provided
with valid responses based on the customers’ preferences and needs. Retail
Associates will listen to customer responses to the aforementioned questions
about customer preferences and show the customer one or more units of cannabis
goods meeting the criteria discussed, answering questions about price, dosing,
potency, etc., helping customers find the products that are right for them.
4.Digital Menus & Pricing: Retail Associates will answer questions if asked about
pricing and explain the flow of product listings on Yerba Wellness’ digital menu
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screens, which are organized by product category, quantity, potency, and price
point, and include digital promotional offerings, special offers and deals, to help
customers understand their options for every budget. Customers will be informed
about happy hour deals, senior or veterans discounts, Yerba Wellness’ Food Drive
discount program, and other discounts and programs as appropriate to the
customer they are helping at that time.
5.Point of Sale: Each Retail Associate will have his or her own assigned register
and point of sale access using their unique login credentials and PIN, none of
which are to be shared. All transactions will be completed in the point of sale
system using barcode scanners or manual entry when required. Employees will
ensure that the product identity, weight or unit of measurement, quantity, and
unique identifiers of items rung up match the items which the customer has
selected before completing transactions. If any irregularities appear in the point of
sale system upon conducting a transaction, the Retail Associate will alert a
Manager immediately to fix the issue and avoid any potential transaction or
inventory errors.
6.Checkout: Once the customer has selected his or her merchandise, the Retail
Associate will ask the customer if there is anything else they would like. When
the customer is ready to checkout, the Retail Associate will once again ensure the
accuracy of item entries on the customer’s transaction sales screen. The Retail
Associate will then double check that physical merchandise comports with items
listed on the point of sale transaction screen and inform the customer of the total
amount due for the transaction.
7.Methods of Payment & Receipt: Customers may pay via cash or credit card at
Yerba Wellness. Credit card payments will be made using electronic terminals at
each point of sale station. Cash payments will be collected and counted by the
Retail Associate in view of the customer. Bills larger than twenty dollars will be
checked for authenticity using a marker or electronic currency verification
system. After counting, the Retail Associate will select the “accept payment”
button in the point of sale system, triggering the unlocking of the register.
Payment will then be placed inside the register and any change due to the
customer will be retrieved and given to the customer. The register will then be
closed and automatically relocked. A receipt will be printed and given to the
customer. For customers’ convenience, an ATM will be located inside Yerba
Wellness.
8.Exit Packaging: All purchased cannabis products will be placed in an opaque
paper bag prior to the customer exiting the premises.
9.Thanks & Reviews: Once a customer’s transaction is complete, the Retail
Associate will thank them for visiting Yerba Wellness, and ask them to leave us
an honest review on Google, Yelp, Leafly, or Weedmaps. The customer will then
receive a 15% discount on their next purchase upon presentation of their review.
The Retail Associate will let the customer know that Yerba Wellness appreciates
their business, that Yerba Wellness looks forward to seeing them again..
10.Sanitization: All employees will sanitize and/or wash their hands frequently. For
convenience, hand sanitizer will be kept at each point of sale station. Sales
stations will be sanitized frequently using materials that are kept underneath and
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behind the counter at each station. Customers generally will not handle
merchandise unless they are purchasing it.
11.Cash Handling: All cash handling procedures for frequent cash drops will be
followed. Please see Section 5.4 of this application for a robust description of
Yerba Wellness Cash Handling Procedures.
Loss Prevention
Customers and employees will be supervised at all times. No merchandise will be left on the
counter unattended, for example, while a Retail Associate turns his or her back to get a requested
item. Yerba Wellness’ counters will feature glass encasements where merchandise can be left in
customer view, but out of customer reach while the Retail Associate is gathering other
merchandise. No more than three items at a time will be placed on the top of the counter unless
the customer is completing a purchase for more than that number of items. Items will only be
placed on the countertop when in full view of the Retail Associate helping the customer.
Cash drawers will be kept locked at all times except when collecting cash payment from
customers completing transactions. All employees will be trained on the use of panic switches if
needed. Additionally, no employee personal belongings such as purses or backpacks will be
allowed in the back office or retail sales area. Lockers will be provided in the break room for
employee personal belongings.
Daily Sales Limits
Yerba Wellness will follow all laws regarding daily sales limits for adult use and medical
cannabis sales.
1.Adult Use: The daily limits for a single adult use customer per day are 28.5 grams
of non-concentrated cannabis and 8 grams of cannabis concentrate. Yerba
Wellness’ point of sale system will feature software security that will not allow an
adult use customer to exceed these purchase limits.
2.Medical: The daily limits for a single medical cannabis customer per day are 8
ounces of dried plant or the equivalent in concentrates, or an alternate amount as
recommended by the medical cannabis patient’s physician as indicated on their
recommendation.
Cannabis Goods Display
During COVID-19, for staff and customer safety, Yerba Wellness will not provide or use
cannabis display units. Retail Associates may present merchandise to customers for visual
inspection. Once the pandemic has ended, Yerba Wellness will resume its typical display unit
procedures as follows:
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1.Designation: Only cannabis goods which have been designated as display items
by the Manager on duty may be opened and displayed at the retail point of sale.
2.Tracking: All cannabis goods which are used as display items will be logged as
such in the retail point of sale and track and trace system.
3.Compliance: Any employee found opening non-display cannabis goods for retail
sale will immediately be written up and may be subject to disciplinary action
including termination of employment.
4.Destruction: Once cannabis goods display items are no longer suitable for display,
the cannabis goods will be destroyed according to Yerba Wellness’ Waste
Management Plan, as described in Section 3.7 of this application.
Sale of Non-Cannabis Goods
In addition to cannabis goods, for customer convenience, Yerba Wellness will also sell cannabis
accessories such as papers, pipes, bongs, refillable electronic vaporizers and lighters. Items will
be checked for quality assurance, health and safety by the General Manager. In compliance with
Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations, no products containing tobacco will be sold at Yerba
Wellness (cigar wraps, blunts).
1.Cannabis Accessories: All cannabis accessories sold by Yerba Wellness will be
checked for quality assurance, with priority purchasing and shelf space given to
locally sourced, sustainable, eco friendly and health conscious products.
2.Local Purchasing: The General Manager oversees the purchasing of non cannabis
goods for retail sale, ensuring that adequate levels of this merchandise are
maintained at all times using a purchasing calendar and that items are purchased
locally from within Fresno city limits to the fullest extent possible.
3.Branded Merchandise: Yerba Wellness may from time to time also sell approved
branded merchandise, such as clothing, hats, pencils, pens, keychains, mugs,
water bottles, beverage glasses, notepads, lanyards, cannabis accessories, or other
types of merchandise approved by the Bureau of Cannabis Control with the name
or logo of a licensed commercial cannabis business. Branded merchandise does
not include any items containing cannabis or any items that are considered food.
Returns of Cannabis Goods
In the event that a customer wishes to return a cannabis good, the Retail Associate helping the
customer will immediately inform a Manager, who will handle the return transaction. The
Manager will follow the below process for returns.
1.Documentation: The Manager handling the return will electronically document
the name of the customer returning the product, the reason for the return, and the
date of the return in the retail point of sale.
2.Refunds: The Manager will provide a refund if applicable, and update all records,
while providing the customer with exceptional customer service. Refunds will be
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allowed for defective products. Other reasons for returns will be considered on a
case by case basis.
3.Waste: Returned cannabis goods will immediately be designated as cannabis
waste. No returned cannabis goods will be sold or given away. After handling the
return and refund with the customer, a Manager will place the returned product in
a secure waste receptacle. The return product will then be disposed of in
accordance with Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan, as described in
Section 3.7 of this application.
4.Credit and/or Replacement: For defective or otherwise unsatisfactory products,
the Manager will inform the distribution source of the product either verbally or
in writing of the reason for the return, and account for these items in order to
obtain a credit or replacement from the distributor. These items will not be
returned to the manufacturer or distributor in any case, but may be shown to the
manufacturer or distributor in person or via photograph for the purposes of
obtaining a full or partial credit for items returned.
Compassion Program
Owner Daniel Sosa’s cannabis retail business in Los Angeles, La Brea Collective, has a long
history of providing free and low-cost medicine to terminally ill, low-income patients. Yerba
Wellness will expand this Compassion Program, by offering qualified program participants up to
one hundred dollars in retail value per month of completely free medical cannabis.
1.Application & Qualification: In order to qualify for the program, a potential
member must provide the following: a valid government-issued ID, a valid
Medical Marijuana Identification Program card from the Fresno County Health
Department, and a qualifying diagnosis from his or her primary doctor, which
must contain a terminal illness diagnosis. All persons applying will be subject to
management approval which typically occurs within twenty four hours. All
Managers on duty will be trained in these procedures and may approve qualifying
applicants. Upon acceptance into the Yerba Wellness Compassion Program, a
copy of the identification and MMIP card will be kept in the member’s file.
Patient medical records including diagnosis forms will be shredded or returned to
the patient after review.
2.Program Benefits: Upon approval, members will be able to select items from a
carefully curated menu which includes items from all product categories. Member
benefits are redeemed in weekly increments, and may accrue up to two week’s
worth of selections. This menu may change periodically based on product
availability. In addition to the free medicinal cannabis goods, a fifteen percent
discount will be offered on all other products and will always be available to
members.
3.Designated Caregivers: Members who become unable to visit the dispensary in
person may appoint a designated caregiver. The potential designated caregiver
will need to come in with the member to set this up for the first time and may
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come in without the member after initial setup. Caregivers must be at least
twenty-one years of age and present a valid, government issued ID.
4.Program Tracking: When visiting, members will be given a folder with their
monthly benefits calendar inside to present to a Retail Associate. The Retail
Associate will note which products are selected and make sure to include product
name and UID on the log. Each night after closing, the Manager on duty will
collect the member files and reconcile the items as Free Medicinal Cannabis
Goods in the POS and METRC. The General Manager will prepare quarterly
reports tracking program participation.
5.Marketing & Outreach: Yerba Wellness Retail Managers will be tasked with
recruiting supply chain vendors to participate in this program by donating free
cannabis to expand Yerba Wellness’ Compassion Menu, although Yerba Wellness
subsidizes this program in house and does not require vendor participation in
order to offer this program. The General Manager will work with the Retail
Managers to expand community outreach for the program as more free cannabis is
donated into the program by participating providers.
Contact Free Pickup
If required due to COVID-19, and upon authorization by the Bureau of Cannabis Control and the
City of Fresno, Yerba Wellness will make contact-free curbside/parking lot pickup available to
customers as an alternative to in-store shopping.
1.Online Ordering: Online or phone ahead ordering will be made available for
curbside pickup orders. Yerba Wellness’ online ordering will be done through its
point of sale system, which will integrate a live menu to Yerba Wellness’ website.
Online ordering offers customers a streamlined shopping experience and Retail
Associates with a simple-to-use interface. Each new customer will be able to sign
up paperlessly in under two minutes and check-in instantly.
2.Menu & Product Availability: Real-time integration will ensure that customers
will not be able to order products that aren’t available; a common problem faced
by Weedmaps and other online cannabis platforms. Yerba Wellness’ online
ordering system will have an automated menu on its web page with product
photos and educational components including product information and potency.
3.Customer Arrival: Customers will call the front desk upon arrival, at which time a
Security Guard will inform a Retail Associate verbally or by radio that the
customer has arrived. The Retail Associate will check the online/phone customer
order log for the applicable order and prepare the merchandise for sale, and
inform the Security Guard of the total amount due for the transaction if payment
has not already been made online.
4.Identity Verification: Customers will show their online order confirmation, if
applicable, and present a valid government-issued ID to security through their car
window upon arrival. A Security Guard will verify the customer’s identity.
5.Payment: A Security Guard will collect payment from the customer if payment
has not already been made. A Retail Associate will complete the transaction for
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the customer by delivering the order and any applicable change to the customer
through the customer’s partially rolled down window.
Delivery
Upon approval by the City of Fresno and Bureau of Cannabis Control for retail cannabis
licensure, Yerba Wellness will offer a delivery service, as described in detail in Section 1.7 of
this application.
Cash Handling Procedures
Cash management is fundamental to the success of a cannabis retail business. Cash drops will be
done frequently to mitigate risk. A Security Guard will be present for most cash related
procedures for additional oversight. Managers and Retail Associates will thoroughly sanitize
hands after handling currency. Day to day cash management includes the following procedures:
cash counting/reconciliations; cash storage/movement; vendor payments; ATM refills; and
armored car transport and deposits. Please see Section 5.4 of this application for a detailed
description of all of Yerba Wellness’ cash handling procedures.
Marketing and Advertising
Marketing and advertising is a critical part of Yerba Wellness’ day to day operations. The
Marketing Manager will execute a day to day Marketing Plan with a positive, community based
approach informed by science and based on principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, and
wellbeing. Yerba marketing campaigns will encourage consumers to medicate mindfully, and
consume cannabis considerately. Yerba Wellness will partner with local, state and national
organizations providing current research and industry analytics, as well as leaders in cannabis
science, to educate consumers about their options when choosing and consuming cannabis.
1.Marketing & Advertising Content: The Marketing Manager will ensure that Yerba
Wellness does not have any marketing or advertising that can possibly appeal to youth.
Access to Yerba Wellness’ website or online ordering system will automatically require
that users provide electronic age confirmation prior to accessing the website. Yerba
Wellness’ social media accounts will be informative, inclusive and in good taste and will
not include any content that could be appealing to youth.
2.Marketing Budget: The Marketing Manager is responsible for managing the marketing
budget and will be required to plan and submit all requested marketing related
expenditures for approval to the General Manager, VP of Operations and Chief
Operations Operating Officer prior to making any financial commitments on behalf of
Yerba Wellness.
3.Marketing Training: The Marketing Manager will conduct regular training of Retail
Managers and Retail Associates to ensure that Retail Associates are aware of and can
properly describe to customers all promotions and opportunities for discounts.
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4.Deals & Promotions: On at least a monthly basis, the Marketing Manager will propose to
the General Manager and VP of Operations various daily deals, discounts, promotions,
and marketing campaigns. The Marketing Manager will prepare an analysis of the
previous month’s deals, discounts, promotions and campaigns outlining the efficacy,
sales activity and revenue results of these efforts and strategies for presentation to the
General Manager, VP of Operations, Chief Operations Officer, and President. One or
more members of the executive team will confer with the General Manager and
Marketing Manager to determine the next round of deals, promotions and campaigns,
which will be reevaluated weekly and monthly.
5.Daily Marketing Actions: On a daily basis, the Marketing Manager will curate and
schedule between two to four social media posts featuring content categories such as
available products, featured brands, social equity cannabis businesses, local supply chain
cannabis businesses, local non cannabis businesses to support, community events or
activism, fundraisers, Yerba Wellness’ food drive, and cannabis news or science.
6.Co-marketing: The Marketing Manager will frequently reach out to vendors whose
products are sold at Yerba Wellness to discuss co-marketing opportunities. These
cross-promotional opportunities will include website features (including ensuring that
Yerba Wellness is listed on the brand’s store locator section of their website), digital
marketing via social media, provision of promotional items, and in-store demos when
appropriate under COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
7.Brand Outreach: The Marketing Manager will work with the General Manager to identify
popular, leading brands whose products are not currently sold at Yerba Wellness to
approach for purchasing purposes, with a focus on local, women and minority owned
businesses. The Marketing Manager will also reach out to brands whose products Yerba
Wellness carries to solicit donations to the Compassion Program.
8.Promotional Items: The Marketing Manager will communicate with brands whose
products are sold at Yerba Wellness for the provision of promotional items. The
provision of promotional items containing cannabis (such as items for BOGOs, sample
size items, and reduced cost merchandise) will all be recorded in the METRC track and
trace system pursuant to State cannabis regulations, including transfer via shipping
manifest, proper packaging and labeling. Non cannabis promotional items for consumer
gifting such as t-shirts, hats, lanyards, or stickers may be shipped or dropped off without
going through Yerba Wellness’ inventory intake process. Yerba Wellness will
occasionally purchase or produce its own promotional non cannabis merchandise
including stickers, which will feature art by local artists and will be coordinated by the
Marketing Manager.
9.Branded Merchandise: Yerba Wellness may seek approval from the Bureau of Cannabis
Control to produce and sell or give away branded merchandise. The Marketing Manager
will manage design and sourcing of this branded merchandise, obtaining quotes from
local companies for priority consideration. The Marketing Manager will generally obtain
three quotes prior to requesting any purchases being made by Yerba Wellness.
10.In Store Marketing & Demos: After COVID-19 restrictions are no longer in place, Yerba
Wellness will feature regular in store marketing and demos by brands whose products are
sold at Yerba Wellness as an opportunity to engage and build community with customers.
The Marketing Manager will engage with brands to schedule and plan in-store marketing
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events where customers will be provided with information about products and brands,
and offered special promotions for the duration of those events.
11.Comments & Reviews: The Marketing Manager will frequently check for new user
reviews of Yerba Wellness on Yelp, Weedmaps, Leafly, and Google, and will respond to
all reviews in a positive, professional manner. Any customers reporting an issue will be
contacted in order to resolve the issue and welcome the customer back to Yerba
Wellness. The Marketing Manager will also respond in kind to comments or direct
messages on Yerba Wellness’ social media platforms.
12.Google Adwords: The Marketing Manager will develop or possess a working knowledge
of GoogleAdWords campaigns and manage Yerba Wellness’ Google marketing. The
Marketing Manager will provide monthly reports to the executive team and the General
Manager showing the return on investment of the campaigns.
13.Referral Program: The Marketing Manager will be responsible for the administration of
Yerba Wellness’ Referral Program, ensuring that customers are aware that they can earn
a special discount for referring family and friends to Yerba Wellness.
14.Customer Loyalty Program: The Marketing Manager will be responsible for the
administration of the point of sale system integrated customer loyalty program, ensuring
that customers are aware that their repeat visits to Yerba Wellness will be continually
rewarded with earned discounts. The Marketing Manager will train Retail Associates on
the proper administration of this program using Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system, as
well as explaining the program to customers.
15.Employee Friends & Family Discounts: Yerba Wellness employees will enjoy a fifteen
percent discount on any purchases made in the retail store. Each employee will get to
designate two friends and/or family members who will receive the same discount, via a
note added to their customer records in Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system.
16.Compassion Program: The Marketing Manager will work with the General Manager,
Retail Managers and Retail Associates to help promote and administer the Compassion
Program.
17.Print Campaigns: From time to time, on a small scale, Yerba Wellness will print well
curated marketing materials, in accordance with Yerba Wellness’ sustainability plan.
These materials will include business cards, second time visit discount cards, and
informational brochures, postcards and in store advertisements.
18.Strategic Partnerships: The Marketing Manager will establish and develop relationships
with industry leaders such as The Werc Shop - a group of renowned cannabis scientists,
industry analysts, BDS Analytics, patient advocates, Americans for Safe Access, and
other thought leaders in the cannabis space as resources for cannabis education, news and
cross promotional opportunities.
19.Local Business Cross Promotion: The Marketing Manager will engage with local
businesses and nonprofits to promote their products and services online and in-store. The
Marketing Manager will introduce himself or herself to these community members, learn
about their businesses, products and services, and offer to help direct customers their
way, and support their missions. Yerba Wellness will do its part to bolster the Fresno
economy and support Fresno nonprofits.
20.Retail Product Staging: The staging of the retail sales area is an important part of the
Yerba Wellness’ overall presentation as well as a component of Yerba Wellness’
Corporate Social Responsibility Plan. The Marketing Manager and General Manager will
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develop procedures around attractive and effective retail product staging and will train
Retail Managers and Retail Associates on exactly how products are to be featured in
store, including allocation of shelf space for local, social equity and women and minority
owned cannabis brands. Despite it being a common cannabis retail business practice,
retail shelf space will not be sold but rather will be earned through product quality. Yerba
Wellness will at all times uphold its commitment to providing customers with cannabis
they can trust.
Please reference the following infographic of actual consumer reviews of businesses currently
under the management of the Yerba Wellness executive team.
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ii. Delivery Location and Procedures
ii. Identify location and procedures for receiving deliveries during business hours.
Location for Receiving Deliveries
Cannabis goods deliveries will only be made through a designated, high security entrance which
is inaccessible to members of the public. This entrance will be located at the front of the
premises to the left of the public entrance and will lead directly into Yerba Wellness’ designated,
secure limited access vendor intake area. The limited access vendor intake area will feature
prominent posting of all packaging and labeling requirements for ease of reference.
Procedures for Receiving Deliveries
Distribution vendors delivering cannabis goods will first check in with a Security Guard at the
reception area of the premises. The Security Guard will verify the vendor’s age and identity
according to the aforementioned policies and procedures regarding allowing access, and will be
recorded in the reception area visitors log, issued a visitors badge, and escorted into the building
by a secondary Security Guard through the vendor-only door from the exterior of the premises
into the limited access vendor intake area. The vendor will sign into the limited access visitors
log according to the aforementioned Limited Access Area procedures.
1.Delivery Hours: Yerba Wellness will accept deliveries of new inventory only
Tuesday through Thursday between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm.
2.Intake: The Manager on duty will conduct a thorough intake process prior to
accepting any delivery of cannabis goods. This includes verification of extensive
packaging and labeling requirements for both flower only cannabis products as
well as manufactured cannabis products. These reference guides provided by the
California Department of Public Health - Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch
include the following checklists: Cannabis Packaging; Flower Only and
Pre-rolled Cannabis Labeling; Manufactured Cannabis Products Labeling
(concentrates, tinctures, edibles, vaporizers, etc.) and Child Resistant Packaging -
will be posted prominently in Yerba Wellness’ inventory intake area and will be
used for each product delivery.
3.Authorized Personnel: At Yerba Wellness, cannabis goods will be received only
by Managers, who will be fully trained in complying with all Yerba Wellness
Standard Operating Procedures and State and local laws relative to their positions
including regulations regarding intake of new cannabis goods.
4.Documentation: A Yerba inventory intake checklist will be used to document and
verify compliance with intake procedures. Yerba Wellness will require that a
Shipping Manifest, Product Details List and Certificate of Analysis for each
cannabis goods batch is presented to the Manager for each prospective cannabis
inventory intake. The Manager will ensure accuracy of the shipment
documentation including verification that actual quantities of units and unique
identifiers (UIDs) comport with data on the manifest and Certificate of Analysis,
that the vendor’s license is active using the BCC online license lookup tool or by
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scanning the vendor’s license QR code, and will follow all regulations below
regarding acceptance or rejection of shipments. The limited access visitors log
will be updated to include the name of the individual attempting the delivery, the
company the individual works for, the reason the individual entered the
limited-access area, the date, and the times the individual entered and exited the
limited-access area. These records shall be made available to regulatory
authorities immediately upon request in either hard copy or electronic format.
5.Acceptance or rejection of shipments: Only if the shipment passes all quality
assurance and compliance checks, and the information on the shipping manifest
and Certificate of Analysis match the inspection and accounting of physical
cannabis goods present, will the shipment be accepted by Yerba Wellness. The
shipping manifest and related documentation will be kept as part of Yerba
Wellness’ official records. Accepted shipments will then be physically transferred
into Yerba Wellness’ secure access storage area, and will be electronically
accepted into Yerba Wellness’ METRC track and trace and Meadow point of sale
system by the Manager within twenty-four hours. Shipments that are not in
compliance with State laws will be immediately rejected, and the distributor will
be notified by the Manager of the reason(s) that the shipment was rejected or
denied. Shipments will be accepted or rejected in their entirety - if a partial
amount of the shipment is noncompliant, Yerba Wellness will reject the shipment
and the vendor must maintain possession of the entire shipment and transport it
back to the originating distribution facility.
6.Cannabis Goods Intake Resources: Please reference the pages at the end of this
document for the cannabis goods intake checklist and infographic guides from the
California Department of Public Health Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch,
which employees will be trained to use and follow on a daily basis.
iii. Point of Sale
iii. Identify the name of the Point-of-sale system to be used and the number of
Point-of-Sale locations.
Owner Daniel Sosa currently uses California state-approved, METRC integrated provider,
Meadow, as his point of sale system at his cannabis retail business in Los Angeles. In accordance
with City of Fresno regulations, Yerba Wellness will request approval to use the Meadow point
of sale system from the City Manager, or his/her appointee as designated.
Number of Locations
Yerba Wellness anticipates initially having four point of sale locations in the retail sales area.
Yerba Wellness will be prepared to add more terminals as needed.
Please reference the following images regarding the proposed Point of Sale.
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iv. Projected Number of Customers
iv. The estimated number of customers to be served per hour/day
Estimated Number of Customers to be Served per Hour/Day
Based on an analysis of anticipated busiest and slowest
periods of the day using current and historical point of
sales data from Owner Daniel Sosa’s cannabis retail
business in Los Angeles, Yerba Wellness anticipates
that customer flow into Yerba Wellness will be
approximately twelve to thirty-five customers per hour
varying based upon purchasing patterns of customers
visiting the store more or less frequently during busier
or slower times of day. The overall average number of
customers expected to be served per hour, per day is
twenty customers per hour per day.
Additional information regarding general cannabis
industry purchasing trends may be referenced on the
following page.
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U.S. Legal Cannabis Sales Trends in Billions and Cannabis Consumer Segment Breakdown.
Source: ArcView Market Research in partnership with BDS Analytics, industry cannabis data
analytics experts.
v. Proposed Product Line
v. Describe the proposed product line to be sold and estimate the percentage of sales of
flower and manufactured products.
Proposed Product Line Description and Projected Percentages
Yerba Wellness team members are well versed in both cannabis product supply and demand.
Purchasing and product selection will feature a well curated selection proportionate to current
industry sales data. As proponents of social equity and diversity in general, a percentage of
Yerba Wellness’ purchasing and shelf space are allocated to licensed social equity cannabis
businesses, as well as women and minority owned licensed cannabis businesses, prioritizing
local Fresno supply chain licensees and those within a two hundred mile radius whenever
possible.
Yerba Wellness will offer a wide variety of products to cover all consumption methods in all
price ranges to serve customers from all economic backgrounds. THC and CBD options will be
offered in all categories. Proposed product lines and projected percentages of sales are as
follows:
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1.Flower & Prerolls (33% flower, 19% prerolls): As flower and pre-rolls are the most
common and popular methods of use, Yerba Wellness will carry at least twenty different
flower and pre-roll brands ranging in strain, effect, price, and unit size including but not
limited to the following brands: Tree House Cannabis, Passiflora, Rich & Ruthless,
Humboldt Farms, Cali Flower Farm, Source Cannabis, THC Design, Cru Cannabis,
Honeydew Farms, Ember Valley, Presidential Infused, Alive & Kicking CBD, Iron Tree
Infused, High Garden, Old Pal, and Korova.
2.Edibles (19%): Following flower & pre-rolls in popularity, Yerba Wellness will carry at
least fifteen different edible offerings including chocolates, gummies, mints, and baked
goods including but not limited to the following brands: Kanha, Chill, Kiva, Korova,
Froot, Plus, Wyld, La Familia, Green Hornet, Smokiez, Habit, Wana, and Breez. Yerba
Wellness will also offer vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free options to address any variety
of dietary needs.
3.Vapes (18%): Vaporizer pens continue to gain traction as a consumption method and as
such Yerba Wellness will offer a number of different brands that carry both cartridge
refills and disposable pens including but not limited to the following brands: Select, 22k,
Alpine, Heavy Hitters, Rove, Stiiizy, Vape Meds, and Raw Garden. Yerba Wellness will
carry a variety of compatible batteries as well.
4.Concentrates (6%): Extracts and concentrates are currently the least popular method of
consumption but consumers continue to increase interest. Yerba Wellness will carry a
variety of types such as water hash, live resin, rosin, and sauce including but not limited
to the following brands: Raw Garden, 22k, Passiflora, Nasha, Cali Hash, and 710 Labs.
5.Medicinal Products (5%): The wide range of relief and wellness possible with cannabis is
an important aspect of Yerba Wellness’ mission and Yerba Wellness will be sure to carry
a variety of wellness specific products including topicals, tinctures, capsules, bath bombs,
and CBD only products, including but not limited to the following brands: Papa &
Barkley, Mary’s Medicinals, Coda, Kush Queen, Care by Design, and Proof.
6.Women and Minority Owned Brands: Paying special attention to supporting minority and
women owned brands in addition to those Yerba Wellness will already be carrying in
other categories, Yerba Wellness will offer a variety of products from the following
brands: OM Edibles, Humboldt Apothecary, Honey Pot, Oh My Ganja, Viola, Tyson
Ranch, and Kush Queen.
7.Local Brands: As the Fresno cannabis program matures, Yerba Wellness will efficiently
identify and source from local brands with a focus on quality assurance and priority
purchasing opportunities offered to social equity businesses.
Projected Percentages of Sales Infographic
The following categorical product sales projections draw directly from current retail cannabis
sales data obtained via live point of sale data, and will be reevaluated frequently to reflect
purchasing patterns specific to Fresnans. The infographic below reflects categorical purchasing
trends in all U.S. legal cannabis markets. Please reference the following page for infographics
regarding Yerba Wellness proposed products and projected categorical sales specific to
California.
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Nationwide cannabis industry categorical product shares, Q1-Q3, 2020.
Source: BDS Analytics, industry cannabis data analytics experts.
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vi. Proposed Delivery Service
vi. Proposed Delivery Service Procedures, Number of Vehicles and Product Security
During Transportation
Yerba Wellness Delivery
Yerba Wellness believes that cannabis is medicine. Many medical patients struggle with mobility
issues and low energy, making it difficult at times to go out and obtain medical cannabis. Many
customers prefer using a delivery service for purchases during the unprecedented global
COVID-19 pandemic. Upon approval by the City of Fresno, Yerba Wellness will be proud to
offer customers exceptional delivery service. Operating a delivery service also gives Yerba
Wellness the opportunity to create more jobs, a mission Yerba Wellness passionately undertakes.
Delivery Vehicles
If granted a permit for a cannabis retail business, Yerba Wellness will purchase one
Hybrid/Electric vehicle for delivery purposes, and will evaluate purchasing additional
Hybrid/Electric vehicles as delivery orders increase. Yerba Wellness projects the necessity for a
fleet of up to three Yerba Wellness delivery vehicles after approximately one full year of
cannabis retail delivery sales.
1.Non Identification: Delivery vehicles will be white in color and will not display
any artwork, logos, script, or other information that may identify the vehicle as a
cannabis delivery vehicle.
2.Communications: Delivery vehicles will have a dedicated cell phone for use
during deliveries only. Communication using the delivery driver’s personal cell
phone is discouraged during deliveries or stops for security purposes.
3.GPS: Delivery vehicles will be equipped with a GPS tracking system which shall
remain on at all times that the delivery vehicle is in use in addition to a tracking
system installed by the vehicle manufacturer. Records of all GPS vehicle
movement will be kept for at least ninety days. A vehicle movement log will be
kept and provided to law enforcement or regulators upon demand of all delivery
vehicle stops. This information and all other information requested will be made
available to the Bureau of Cannabis Control or City of Fresno authorities at any
time, by request.
4.Delivery Vehicle Records: A binder containing all required documentation will be
maintained in the vehicle during all deliveries, and documentation will be updated
by delivery employees. The binder will contain all required documentation
including Yerba Wellness’ current license to conduct a cannabis retail business
and its QR code, vehicle insurance, registration, inventory ledger, movement logs,
delivery request receipts, and applicable Certificates of Analysis for all cannabis
products in the delivery transport vehicle. All records will be retained by Yerba
Wellness for seven years.
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Product Security During Transit
All Yerba Wellness delivery vehicles will be equipped with an enhanced vehicle alarm system
and two forms of tracking devices. The alarm and vehicle locking system will be engaged at all
times when the vehicle is unoccupied or unattended to ensure the security of the inventory. The
vehicle will automatically lock while in use. A backup vehicle key will be kept in the safe in the
safe in the secure storage area of the Yerba Wellness. Vehicles will be well maintained and
regularly checked before each use against a cannabis transport vehicle checklist similar to one
recommended by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
1.Storage: All cannabis goods will be stored in a locked area of the delivery vehicle,
inaccessible to the driver during transport and shall not be visible to the public.
The delivery vehicle will be equipped with air conditioning and cannabis goods
kept in a cool, dark, securely locked location within the delivery vehicle to ensure
that the cannabis goods are preserved and do not degrade.
Delivery Service Procedures
Yerba Wellness delivery service procedures incorporate City of Fresno and State laws
concerning delivery, as well as industry best practices to reflect the high Yerba Wellness
standards of exceptional customer service and professionalism.
Delivery Employees
Delivery employees will be at least twenty-one years of age with a clean motor vehicle record
and will be trained thoroughly on all City of Fresno and State laws concerning delivery. During
deliveries, delivery employees will carry a copy of the current cannabis retail license with the
Bureau provided QR code, as well as the employee’s government-issued identification and
Yerba Wellness employee badge, a copy of the company’s vehicle insurance and registration,
and all required logs. At all times Yerba Wellness will maintain an accurate list of its delivery
employees and will provide the list to the Bureau of Cannabis Control or the Fresno City
Manager upon request.
Delivery Employee Training
1.Training facilitation: Yerba Wellness delivery employee training will occur in
store via written and verbal instruction which includes quizzes to ensure
competency, as well as via a shadowing process whereby more experienced
personnel demonstrate proper performance of the responsibilities of the position.
Detailed training logs will be kept of all training activities including the names of
persons who facilitated and received the training, specifically what training was
provided, and the date and time training occurred. Both the facilitator and the
recipient of the training will sign the training record. Training logs will be
retained for at least seven years.
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2.Regulatory training: All employees engaging in deliveries will be fully trained
regarding all relevant local and State retail cannabis sales and delivery laws,
including California Business & Professions Code Division 10 - Cannabis, and
Section 5415 - Delivery Employees of the Bureau of Cannabis Control
regulations, as well as Fresno cannabis regulations Section 9-3310.
3.Operational training: All employees engaging in deliveries will be fully trained in
regards to all delivert operational regulations, relevant track and trace entries,
transportation of cannabis goods, and preparation and maintenance of required
documentation including but not limited to delivery request receipts, detailed
delivery inventory ledgers, and vehicle movement logs.
4.Contingency training: Training includes information about observance of motor
vehicle laws and cooperation with regulators, authorities and law enforcement.
Training includes accident preparedness instruction, occupational safety training,
and injury prevention instruction. Delivery drivers will also receive training on
compliance with CHP regulations.
5.Security training: Inventory and cash will only be loaded and unloaded to and
from the delivery vehicle under the supervision of Security. Delivery employees
will be well trained on all security aspects of delivery.
6.Customer service: Additionally, employees engaging in delivery are trained on
how to provide exceptional customer service, product knowledge, and sales
procedures, and are trained and expected to uphold Yerba Wellness corporate
values and mission.
Delivery Employee Policies
1.Prohibitions: Cannabis consumption during deliveries or during any time a Yerba
employee is on shift is strictly prohibited and violation of this prohibition is
grounds for immediate termination from employment with Yerba Wellness. For
security purposes, delivery employees are prohibited from informing any personal
acquaintances or anyone other than Yerba Wellness security or management, or
local or state authorities know of the whereabouts of their routes or delivery
locations. This includes not posting any route or identifying information on social
media, or allowing location tagging of any social media posts during deliveries.
Use of social media or personal calls or texts during deliveries are generally
discouraged to ensure the safety of the employee and vehicle.
2.Employees Only: Only authorized employees conducting deliveries on behalf of
Yerba Wellness shall occupy the delivery vehicle.
3.Records and Logs: Delivery employees are responsible for maintaining all
delivery records and logs. Delivery employees will maintain a log that includes all
stops from the time the delivery driver leaves Yerba Wellness to the time that the
delivery driver returns to Yerba Wellness, and the reason for each stop. The log
will be turned into Yerba Wellness when the delivery driver returns to the
premises. Yerba Wellness will maintain the log as a commercial cannabis activity
record as required under State law. All documentation will be made available to
State and local regulators or law enforcement upon request.
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4.Limitations: Delivery employees will not engage in any other activities while
conducting deliveries. Delivery drivers will only use hands free methods of
communications while operating a Yerba Wellness delivery vehicle. Delivery
drivers may not work double shifts.
5.Stops: Delivery employees will not take breaks or make stops unless for rest, fuel,
or vehicle repairs. Managers will be notified immediately of any stops or required
repairs. If a delivery employee does not have any deliveries scheduled for a period
longer than thirty minutes, the delivery employee will return to Yerba Wellness.
Required meal breaks will not count towards the thirty minute period. Delivery
vehicles will be locked with all security functions including alarms engaged at all
times when the vehicle is unmanned.
Delivery Orders Policies
1.Deliveries will be made only to physical addresses in the state of California, and
will not be made to any K-12 school or youth center premises, or on publicly
owned land or any address on land or in a building leased by a public agency.
This prohibition applies to land held in trust by the United States for a tribe or an
individual tribal member unless the delivery is authorized by and consistent with
applicable tribal law. Deliveries may not be made to other vehicles. All deliveries
of cannabis goods will be made in person. A delivery of cannabis goods will not
be made through the use of an unmanned vehicle.
2.All cannabis goods will be logged in the delivery inventory ledger. Delivery
employees will not carry more than $3,000 worth of cannabis goods at any time.
The value of the cannabis goods will be calculated using the current
wholesale/procurement price of all cannabis goods inside the vehicle
3.All movement of cannabis goods from room to room within Yerba Wellness and
during delivery will be entered into the METRC track and trace system, including
all delivery order fulfillments.
4.The delivery employee will ensure that all applicable aforementioned policies are
satisfied prior to leaving Yerba Wellness and at all times.
5.Routes will be planned via the dedicated GPS or via use of Waze. If Waze is used,
the route will be logged into the vehicle GPS. Delivery drivers will only travel
from the retail premises and to and from the delivery destination, stopping only
for necessary rest, fuel, or vehicle repair stops, or because road conditions make
continued use of the route unsafe, impossible, or impracticable. Delivery drivers
may stop in a non-residential area if driving conditions become unsafe.
Delivery Orders Procedures
1.New delivery orders will be received via phone by a Retail Associate or Retail
Manager, who will have been trained to accept and fulfil delivery orders.
2.Customers will be advised that cashless transactions are preferred. Customers will
be encouraged to use electronic payments and if cash payment is required,
customers will inform the associate taking the order of the denomination of
currency to be used and any change that will need to be made. Necessary change
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will be provided to the driver in an unsealed envelope labeled with the order
number, total due, expected denomination of currency and change to be provided.
3.Any currency given to delivery drivers as change for customers shall not exceed
twenty dollars in total and will be logged in the written and electronic ledgers by a
Manager. Unused change will be returned upon arrival back to the premises.
4.Delivery orders will be entered into the point of sale system delivery module
which will generate a hard copy and electronic receipt for the delivery. This
documentation is carried with the delivery driver to his or her delivery
destination, and a copy will be provided to the customer upon receipt.
5.The delivery request receipt will contain the following data:
a.The name and address of Yerba Wellness.
b.The first name and employee number of the employee providing the
delivery.
c.The first name and retailer-assigned customer number of the person
requesting the delivery, and the delivery address.
d.The date and time the delivery request was made.
e.A detailed description of all cannabis goods requested for delivery,
including the brand, weight, volume, or any other accurate measure of the
amount of all cannabis goods requested.
f.The total amount due or paid for the delivery, including any taxes or fees,
the cost of the cannabis goods, and any other charges related to the
delivery, and whether the transaction was prepaid or is due upon receipt.
g.Upon delivery, the receipt will include the date and time the delivery was
made, and the handwritten or electronic signature of the customer who
received the delivery.
6.Delivery addresses will be checked online to ensure that they comply with
regulations regarding prohibitions on where deliveries can take place.
7.Once a delivery order has been placed, it will be fulfilled by a designated Retail
Associate. The complete order will be checked and placed in an opaque exit bag,
and logged in the METRC track and trace system for transport.
8.Delivery employees will perform an additional quality assurance check to
determine that the inventory to be transported matches the corresponding delivery
request receipt(s).
9.The delivery employee will accept the order(s), which will be placed in a secure,
locked area of the delivery vehicle and logged in the delivery inventory ledger.
10.The delivery employee will inspect the delivery vehicle before each use, ensuring
that the vehicle is in proper working order before driving the vehicle.
11.The delivery employee will ensure that the binder containing all required
documentation is updated and contains a copy of the current retail license.
12.Cannabis goods to be delivered will then be entered into the delivery inventory
ledger which will include the name of the employee making the entry, date, and
time. For each cannabis good, the delivery inventory ledger shall include the type
of cannabis goods, the brand, the retail value, the track and trace identifier,
transaction ID, and an accurate measure of the weight or quantity of the item(s).
13.Upon arriving at the delivery location, the delivery employee shall update the
vehicle transport log to indicate time of arrival and location.
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14.The delivery employee will verify the cannabis goods ordered to the address of
delivery, and remove only the cannabis goods ordered for this address and any
applicable change envelope from the locked vehicle storage area, relocking the
vehicle while the delivery is being made and ensuring that the vehicle alarm is
engaged.
15.At the time of the delivery, the retail delivery employee shall electronically
confirm the age and identity of the person who requested the delivery using
contactless scanner.
16.If payment is to be made, the delivery employee will verify that sufficient
payment is received, provide a predetermined amount of change if required, and
place the payment in a banking bag in a secure, locked area of the vehicle.
17.Once payment has been made and cannabis goods have been provided to the
customer requesting the delivery, the delivery inventory ledger will be updated to
reflect the cannabis goods delivered, and the delivery vehicle log shall be updated
to indicate the time of departure from the delivery address.
18.Upon returning to Yerba Wellness after conducting deliveries, delivery employees
will return any cannabis goods which were not delivered to Yerba Wellness, and
any unused change for reconciliation. Delivery employees will update the vehicle
delivery inventory ledger reflecting all cannabis goods activity which took place
during the delivery route.
19.Upon returning to Yerba Wellness after conducting deliveries, delivery employees
will return the delivery log of all stops to the Manager on duty who will maintain
the log as part of Yerba Wellness official records.
20.The Manager will ensure that all appropriate track and trace entries have been
made into the system, and that any cannabis goods which were not delivered are
returned into product storage and logged in the point of sale system.
21.Strict control and oversight over all delivery inventory and payments will be
maintained, ensuring that cannabis goods or cash do not go unaccounted for
during or after deliveries. All delivery activity is audited on a daily basis by a
manager trained in internal controls.
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Section Two:
Social Policy and
Local Enterprise Plan
2. Social Policy and Local Enterprise Plan
Introduction
Yerba Wellness’ mission is to provide direct economic and philanthropic benefits to individuals
and communities in need. As part of Yerba Wellness’ commitment to Social Responsibility, it
will accomplish this mission by executing an abundantly generous Social Policy and Local
Enterprise Plan which prioritizes prolific local job creation and social equity incubation to help
improve lives for those in need.
The Yerba Wellness Social Policy and Local Enterprise Plan defines its job creation,
employment packages, recruitment, hiring and training, social policy and workforce plan. Yerba
Wellness President Mr. Sosa has a demonstrated history of incubating social equity businesses
and mentoring social equity operators long before it was a mainstream narrative. Local owner
Vernon Jones is one such example of a deserving individual who will in turn share the benefits
of cannabis industry participation with the community he has loved and served for decades.
2.1 Living Wage
2.1 Describe whether the Commercial Cannabis Business is committed to offering
employees a Living Wage.
Yerba Wellness is absolutely committed to offering its employees a living wage. Living wage is
defined as the hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support his or herself
and their family. It is assumed that the individual is the sole provider and is working full-time
(2080 hours per year). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has determined that the living
wage for Fresno County ranges between per hour for an adult with no
children to per hour for a single parent with three children (source:
https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06019).
Yerba Wellness will offer the following full time equivalent wages, with approximately 80% of
Yerba Wellness positions being full-time hires.
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Title Type Rate
General Manager Salaried
Security Manager Hourly
Marketing Manager Hourly
2.2. Benefits
2.2 Briefly describe benefits provided to employees such as health care, vacation, and
medical leave, to the degree they are offered as part of employment.
Yerba Wellness believes that a comprehensive benefit package is an integral part of its
compensation package for its employees. Yerba Wellness is proud to offer health insurance,
dental insurance, vision insurance, vacation leave, sick/medical leave, parental leave, a
retirement plan, in-store discounts, an employee recognition program and a yearly paid volunteer
year.
Health Plan:
Yerba Wellness is proud to provide its full-time and part-time employees with employer
sponsored health coverage. Yerba Wellness will offer a health insurance plan that will be
managed by Covered California for Small Businesses. Yerba Wellness’ employees will be able
to choose from a variety of HMO and PPO health insurance plans from Blue Shield of
California, Health Net and Kaiser Permanente.
Because California health insurance companies require that an employer contribute at least 50
percent of the employee only monthly cost or “premium”, this will be a significant cost to Yerba
Wellness’ business. Yerba Wellness is happy to incur this cost as it believes that healthy and
happy employees are key to its success.
Additionally, offering employer sponsored health coverage provides an added benefit to Yerba
Wellness’ employees by reducing their taxable income (as premiums for employer sponsored
health plans may be paid with pre-tax dollars), resulting in an increase in take-home pay for
Yerba Wellness’ employees. Yerba Wellness will ensure that the health plans offered to its
employees are affordable and comprehensive.
At a minimum, each health plan offered to Yerba Wellness’ employees will have the following
coverage:
1. Outpatient care a patient would receive in a doctor’s office and not in the hospital;
2. Evaluation and treatment in the emergency room;
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Retail Managers Hourly
Retail Associates Hourly
Security Guards Hourly
3. Inpatient care after a patient has been admitted to a hospital;
4. Care before and after a patient’s baby is born;
5. Treatment that includes psychotherapy and counseling for mental health and substance
use;
6. Prescription medicine;
7. Physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychiatric
rehabilitation and other services to help a patient recover from an injury, disability or
chronic condition;
8. Laboratory tests;
9. Preventive services such as screenings, counseling and vaccinations; and
10. Pediatric services for children under age 19 that includes dental and vision care
Dental Plan:
Yerba Wellness will offer its employees a dental insurance plan that is managed by Covered
California for Small Businesses. Yerba Wellness’ employees will be able to choose from a
variety of dental insurance plans from Delta Dental, Liberty Dental, Dental Network and Dental
Health Services. Yerba Wellness will ensure that the dental plans offered to its employees are
affordable and comprehensive. At a minimum, each dental plan offered to Yerba Wellness’
employees will have the following coverage:
1.Free twice yearly x-rays, cleanings and sealants;
2.Free children’s preventive dental care;
3.No office copays; and
4.The costs for fillings, root canals, crowns and other major treatments and services
will be shared by the employee and the plan, according to a defined set of copays
for services.
Vision Plan:
Yerba Wellness will contract with a vision insurance company directly for a vision plan for its
employees. Yerba Wellness is currently evaluating plans from Humana and Vision Service Plan
(VSP) in order to determine which plan will be best for its employees.
Yerba Wellness will ensure that the vision plans offered to its employees are affordable and
comprehensive. At a minimum, each vision plan offered to Yerba Wellness’ employees will have
the following coverage:
1.Low copay yearly progressive and anti-reflective eye exams;
2.One additional diabetic eye exam per plan year, plus care and testing to help
manage diabetes; and
3.Access to a nationwide network of practitioners and retailers, including Target
Optical, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Ray-Ban, ContactsDirect.com and
Glasses.com.
Vacation Leave:
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Each Yerba Wellness full-time employee will receive five days of accrued paid vacation leave
each year. Each part-time employee will receive a prorated amount of vacation days (up to a
maximum initial three days of paid vacation leave each year) based upon the average amount of
hours worked each month. For each year of employment with Yerba Wellness, its employees
will receive an additional day of paid vacation leave, up to a maximum of fourteen days of paid
vacation leave each year for full-time employees and a maximum of eight days of paid vacation
leave each year for part time employees.
Paid Holidays:
In addition to the paid vacation leave described above, Yerba Wellness will observe fourteen
paid holidays (New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Cesar Chavez Day, and April 20) during which
Yerba Wellness’ hourly employees will be paid 1½ times their base hourly rate of pay for any
hours worked on these holidays. Yerba Wellness will also provide accommodations for
employees who cannot work on certain holidays due to religious observances.
Sick/Medical Leave:
In addition to paid vacation leave, each employee may accrue up to eighty-four hours of paid
sick leave each year. Paid sick leave benefits are accrued on a prorated basis of one day (seven
hours) per month for full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment. Part-time
employees will accrue prorated sick leave benefits, (i.e., three and one-half hours per month if
the employee works seventeen and one-half hours per week).
Employees may accrue unused paid sick leave from year to year, up to a maximum of
seventy-two hours of accrued paid sick leave for full-time employees. This limitation on accrual
of sick leave benefits will be prorated accordingly for part-time employees.
COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave:
Yerba Wellness will also provide its employees with additional paid sick leave as required under
CA COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave laws and the Federal Families First Coronavirus
Response Act. Employees will receive up to eighty hours of additional emergency paid sick
leave in order to comply with quarantine orders because of a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of
COVID-19, or because of exposure to another individual who has a confirmed or suspected
diagnosis of COVID-19.
Employees will also receive up to twelve weeks of paid sick leave in order to care for a family
member or child due to COVID-19, including because a child's school schedule is interrupted.
Employees who are subject to a quarantine order due because of a confirmed or suspected
diagnosis of COVID-19, or because of exposure to another individual who has a confirmed or
suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 may work from home if they are able to complete their duties
from home, instead of taking paid sick leave.
Paid Family Leave:
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Yerba Wellness will offer its employees up to eight weeks of paid family leave in the event that
they need to take time off work to care for a seriously ill child, parent, parent-in-law,
grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner. The State of California
Employment Development Department will pay an employee up to sixty or seventy percent of
their wages in the event that an employee takes paid family leave. Yerba Wellness will pay an
additional amount to the employee so that an employee taking paid family leave will receive
eighty percent of their wages during their leave period.
Parental Leave:
Yerba Wellness will offer its employees up to twelve weeks of parental leave during the first
year of a child’s arrival, whether by birth, adoption or foster placement. Yerba Wellness will
offer this leave to its employees of all genders. In addition to the up to twelve weeks of paid
leave, employees will also receive full health insurance plan coverage during leave and
employment upon the employee’s return to the same or a comparable position.
Because Yerba Wellness will have less than twenty employees, it is not required under the
federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), or the
California New Parents Leave Act (NPLA) to provide parental leave. However, Yerba Wellness
is happy to provide this benefit to its employees, as Yerba Wellness believes that the ability to
care for and bond with a new child without interruption is vital to the health and happiness of its
employees, and thus the success of Yerba Wellness’ business.
Pregnancy Disability Leave:
Yerba Wellness will also provide pregnancy disability leave. Pregnant employees will be able
take up to four months of leave during any period of time during which they are unable to work
due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. This time may be taken before or
after the birth of the child and includes time off for severe morning sickness, medically necessary
bed rest, childbirth, and recovery from childbirth and any pregnancy-related complications. It
also includes routine prenatal or postnatal medical care. The State of California Employment
Development Department will pay an employee up to sixty or seventy percent of their wages in
the event that an employee takes pregnancy disability leave. Yerba Wellness will pay an
additional amount to the employee so that an employee taking paid pregnancy disability leave
will receive eighty percent of their wages during their leave period.
Military Family Leave:
Yerba Wellness will offer its employees up to eight weeks of paid military family leave in the
event that they need to take time off work when the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, child,
or parent is on active duty abroad or has been notified of an impending call or order to active
duty abroad. The paid time off will be covered when the employee uses the time to address needs
arising out of their loved one’s military service, including spending time with their family
member before deployment or during temporary rest and recuperation leave, to make
arrangements for the care of their family member’s child or parent, to attend official military
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events or support programs or to attend to other needs arising from their loved one’s deployment.
The State of California Employment Development Department will pay an employee up to sixty
or seventy percent of their wages in the event that an employee takes paid military family leave.
Yerba Wellness will pay an additional amount to the employee so that an employee taking paid
military family leave will receive eighty percent of their wages during their leave period.
Retirement Plan:
Yerba Wellness is proud to offer its employees a retirement plan through the State of
California’s CalSavers plan. Through CalSavers, employees will be enrolled in a Roth IRA.
Yerba Wellness will set the default savings rate at five percent (5%) of gross pay, and employees
will be able to change their savings rate at any time. If employees do not opt-in to the savings
plan, they will be auto-enrolled thirty (30) days after they begin employment and will begin
saving through payroll contribution. Employees may opt out and back in at any time. Each
employee’s account will be portable and will stay with them even if they leave Yerba Wellness.
In-Store Discount:
Yerba Wellness employees will enjoy a 15% discount on any purchases made in the retail store.
Each employee will get to designate two friends and/or family members who will receive the
same discount, via a note added to their customer records in Yerba Wellness’ point of sale
system.
Recognition Programs:
Yerba Wellness strongly believes that recognizing exceptional employees leads to increased
employee satisfaction and performance. Yerba Wellness will incentivize employees with
rewards, such as additional days of paid vacation leave, bonuses, and extra discounts on
purchases made at Yerba Wellness.
Paid Volunteer Day:
Yerba Wellness strongly believes in the importance of volunteerism. Yerba Wellness will
encourage its employees to become engaged in the Fresno community by volunteering with local
non-profit organizations. Yerba Wellness will offer each employee a paid day off to be used
volunteering with a local non-profit organization.
2.3.Continuing Education and Training
2.3 Describe compensation to and opportunities for continuing education and employee
training.
Yerba Wellness is committed to developing a best in class staff via its Employee Training and
Development curriculum. This system of team building and community development covers a
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wide range of operational and industrial education and training as well as teaching employees a
form of conscious business practices known as Sacred Commerce.
Employee Training
Yerba Wellness knows that a well trained team is a wise investment. Yerba Wellness will require
that its employees undergo a comprehensive training program covering all retail operations
respective to security clearance and ensuring competency specific to their positions. All
employees will be trained on operating a successful and compliant retail business in the cannabis
industry. Retraining and continuing education will be provided on a consistent basis. All
employees will be paid their standard hourly rate for all of the time that they spend being trained.
This customized training curriculum will include all applicable laws and company policies and
procedures that contribute to a well-run, successful cannabis business. Subject matter will
include all safety and security procedures, all check-in procedures, confidentiality policies,
effective communication, customer service, new customer orientation, product education
including proper use and dosing, inventory control, point of sale training, track and trace, quality
assurance, proper disposal of waste, emergency preparedness, loss prevention, diversion
prevention, disciplinary action, and other topics relevant to an employee’s roles and
responsibilities.
Training Manager:
All managers and the executive team will participate in training Yerba Wellness
employees. Additionally, Yerba Wellness has engaged a consultant, Dege Coutee, to
implement Yerba Wellness’ employee training program. Ms. Coutee has a rich history
training cannabis business operators and staff on regulatory compliance. She creates and
facilitates training curriculum on a wide range of regulatory compliance topics, including
inventory control, track-and-trace, employment laws, OSHA, workplace safety, proper
usage of cannabis, program implementation, and records retention laws. She has
consulted with cannabis businesses for nearly twenty years on regulatory compliance.
Ms. Coutee is President of the Board of Directors of Patient Advocacy Network, which is
a consumer and patient focused advocacy educational 501c3 nonprofit organization. She
directs Patient Advocacy Network’s education and advocacy programs
Additionally, Mr. Sosa, Ms. Wright and Ms. Karmelita will work with Ms. Coutee in
developing and implementing Yerba Wellness’ employee training program. Mr. Sosa has
thirteen years of experience in developing and implementing training programs at his
cannabis retail business in Los Angeles. Ms. Wright has over ten years of experience in
the cannabis industry and has developed and implemented training programs for a variety
of cannabis businesses. Ms. Karmelita is currently the General Manager of Mr. Sosa’s
cannabis retail business in Los Angeles and is responsible for overseeing the training
program.
Training Materials:
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Yerba Wellness will provide its employees with the following training manuals that they
can refer to after the training session is over: Employee Handbook; Retail Standard
Operating Procedures Training Manual; Emergency Action Plan; Workplace Safety
Guide & Safety and Health Manual (OSHA); COVID-19 Health & Safety Guide; and
Americans for Safe Access brochures on a variety of topics including Patient’s Guide to
CBD; Patient’s Guide to Medical Cannabis; Patient-Focused Certification; and Condition
Guides for Arthritis, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Gastrointestinal Disorders, HIV/AIDS,
Movement Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Aging and Veterans; and copies of the Bureau
of Cannabis Control regulations, as well as a variety of infographics and reference
materials provided by the Bureau of Cannabis Control and California Department of
Public Health Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch..
Sacred Commerce
All Yerba Wellness employees will also receive a free copy of Sacred Commerce and
training in recommended practices. Sacred Commerce offers a manual for building a
community in the workplace, and is a special resource to Yerba Wellness’ organization
that details core values in consciousness in business that are followed by Yerba Wellness.
Employment Training:
On their first day of employment, employees will receive an employee handbook which will set
forth the terms of their employment with Yerba Wellness, such as paid vacation leave, paid sick
leave, employee sponsored health coverage, any causes for disciplinary action or termination,
and their rights as an employee under California and federal law. The Training Manager will
review the employee handbook with each employee and be available to answer any questions.
Employees will also receive implicit bias training to help ensure that Yerba Wellness’ workplace
is a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Standard Operating Procedures Training:
Upon commencement of employment, all employees will receive a copy of Yerba Wellness’
Standard Operating Procedures and will receive an in-person training on the Standard Operating
Procedures. For security purposes and practicality, employees will receive training only on
operating procedures which are relevant to their roles and responsibilities. As employees
progress in their careers with us, Yerba Wellness will provide ongoing training on increased
responsibilities and new aspects of their roles.
Security Training:
Security protocols and procedures are part of all day-to-day operations and will be part of the
training that all Managers and employees receive at the time of hire and on an ongoing basis. In
order to minimize potential security risks, each employee will be trained only for responsibilities
required for their particular position and only on the areas of the cannabis retail business
premises that they are authorized to access in the course of their responsibilities. For example,
Retail Associates will not be trained on how to access the safes.
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Security training will be developed and led by a professional licensed security consultant. The
consultant will work with the Security Manager and President to develop security policies and an
accompanying Security Manual that will be given to all Yerba Wellness hires, and will direct
Yerba Wellness security training curriculum. Employee security training will be conducted by
Yerba Wellness’ Security Manager.
Randomized refresher strategies, including impromptu team meetings to quiz employees on
security policies will be implemented as part of knowledge acquisition and retention strategies,
with the goal of rewarding employees who take the knowledge of operational security practices
seriously. Topics of the training will not only include all policy and regulatory information, but
the operational management and functionality of Yerba Wellness’s internal security systems and
policies. Employees will be trained in all facets of safety, emergency/incident management, staff
and visitor security and safety, cash management and inventory control and diversion prevention
best practices.
Security training for Managers and Security Guards will include all opening and closing
procedures such as checking and securing all of the premises security features, ensuring all
cameras are operational and angled correctly, making sure all interior and exterior lighting is
functional, and setting alarms. All security checks and activities will be entered into a security
log.
Product Training:
Employees will receive training on the cannabis products available for sale in the retail cannabis
business. Training will cover proper use and dosing, as well as training on the main cannabinoids
in cannabis (THC, CBD, CBN, etc). Yerba Wellness employees will be able to educate
customers about the various products offerings. In consideration of the fact that Yerba Wellness
will also serve medical marijuana patients, Yerba Wellness will pay for its employees to obtain
certifications from the Cannabis Training Institute, HempStaff and Americans for Safe Access.
Please see Section 2.3 of this application for a robust description of each certification program.
Yerba Wellness will also produce and distribute its own in-house educational materials for
employees, adult use customers, medical cannabis patients and medical cannabis caregivers on
the topic of cannabis products and strains. Yerba Wellness will work with its Training Manager,
Ms. Dege Coutee, to produce these materials. Ms. Coutee is President of the Board of Directors
of Patient Advocacy Network, which is a consumer and patient focused advocacy educational
501c3 nonprofit organization.
Safety Training:
Employees will be trained on accident prevention and how to handle emergencies including fires
and natural disasters, evacuation procedures, basic first aid, and what to do in a medical
emergency. Employees will receive Yerba Wellness’ Workplace Safety Guide and Safety and
Health Manual. OSHA self-inspections will be conducted quarterly by Yerba Wellness’ OSHA
certified employees using a checklist to determine if any potential hazards exist at the facility.
Yerba Wellness’ Training Manager, Ms. Dege Coutee, is OSHA certified. Ms. Coutee also
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prepared Yerba Wellness’ Workplace Safety Guide which incorporates the knowledge that she
has obtained in becoming OSHA certified.
OSHA Training:
FMC Section 9-3316(c) requires that within one year of receiving a permit a cannabis retail
business will have one supervisor and one employee who have successfully completed a
Cal-OSHA 30-hour general industry outreach course offered by a training provider that is
authorized by an OSHA Training Institute Education Center to provide the course. Yerba
Wellness’ Training Manager Ms. Dege Coutee is OSHA certified and so Yerba Wellness will
have an OSHA certified supervision immediately upon commencement of operations. Ms.
Coutee will oversee and assist one additional Manager and one Retail Associate in becoming
OSHA certified within the first year of operations. Ms. Coutee also prepared Yerba Wellness’
Workplace Safety Guide which includes the knowledge that she has obtained in becoming
OSHA certified and will be used to train all employees.
COVID-19 Safety Training:
Yerba Wellness will require all employees to undergo extensive training on procedures regarding
current COVID-19 safety. This will include training on how many customers are allowed inside
the premises at any time, how to maintain social distancing, cleaning and sanitizing procedures,
requirements for masks/face-coverings, and protocols for any employee who is infected or has
had contact with an infected person. Yerba Wellness employees will receive its COVID-19
Safety Manual. Yerba Wellness’ COVID-19 Safety Manual is a living document that is
constantly updated as new information about COVID-19 and useful safety measures emerges.
Yerba Wellness employees will receive a new version of the COVID-19 Safety Manual and
refresher training session immediately after each time the COVID-19 Safety Manual is updated.
Workplace Harassment Training:
Yerba Wellness will strictly prohibit all forms of harassment, including harassment on the basis
of age, ancestry, color, religion, disability, any medical condition, genetic information, military
or veteran status, national origin, race, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding,
medical conditions related to pregnancy, other maternal obligations), gender, gender identity,
and gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws. Workplace harassment training will be part of all new
employee training and each employee will be required to retrain annually.
Sexual Harassment Training:
Yerba Wellness will take sexual harassment training and prevention extremely seriously and will
implement a zero-tolerance policy and mandatory sexual harassment trainings for every
employee. Workplace sexual harassment training will be part of all new employee training and
each employee will be required to retrain annually. Each manager will receive a two hour
training session separate from subordinate employees to address the important and sensitive
issues of manager and staff relationships and interactions. These trainings will educate Yerba
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Wellness’ employees on what constitutes sexual harassment, how to report sexual harassment,
each employee’s rights under California law and the repercussions for sexual harassment.
Yerba Wellness will make it abundantly clear to each and every employee that unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature constitute sexual harassment under any and all circumstances. The training will also make
it clear that Yerba Wellness will investigate all reports of sexual harassment and in the event that
Yerba Wellness’ investigation finds that sexual harassment did occur, the offending employee
will face discipline, up to and including termination of employment.
Workplace Violence Training:
Yerba Wellness will train its security staff and other key employees in ALICE, a nationally
recognized program that teaches workplace violence indicator behavior and response protocols.
This training program will give Yerba Wellness’ employees the tools to identify the early
indications of possible workplace violence and will educate its employees about Yerba Wellness’
procedures for notifying managers. This training will increase the likelihood of identifying and
neutralizing potential workplace violence events before they happen. The training will also
include active shooter drills and evacuation drills. This training will occur at the time of each
employee’s hiring and refresher training courses will be held on a periodic basis.
Further, Yerba Wellness will take seriously any reports by its employees of concerns about
workplace violence and will implement a process for leveraging a third-party team of trained
psychologists to review, analyze and provide recommendations for employee’s reported
concerns about potential workplace violence. Additionally, in the unlikely event that workplace
violence does occur at Yerba Wellness, Yerba Wellness will make third party counseling
services available to all employees.
Bi-Annual Training Refresher:
On a bi-annual basis, each employee will receive a refresher training course on the Standard
Operating Protocols, Security and Safety training. This is done to ensure that each employee is
up to date on all best operating procedures, state and local regulations and security and safety
issues.
Continuing Education
Yerba Wellness strongly believes in mentoring its employees so that their employment with
Yerba Wellness can be the first step in a long and successful career in the legal cannabis market.
Yerba Wellness will pay for its employees to complete certification programs from the Cannabis
Training Institute, HempStaff, and Americans for Safe Access Cannabis Care Certification.
Upon completion of a certification program, Yerba Wellness employees will be eligible for a pay
raise. Yerba Wellness will collect data related to the success of its continuing education program
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so that Yerba Wellness may modify its approach as Yerba Wellness matures. This information
will be made available to the City Manager upon request.
Cannabis Training Institute: Developed by seasoned marijuana industry professionals,
Cannabis Training Institute (CTI) is an online training & certification resource for
cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs, clinicians & policymakers. CTI provides a
comprehensive education curriculum for business, medical, political, legal, accounting
and operations professionals in the emerging cannabis industry. CTI offers sophisticated
learning tools to expand worldwide knowledge about cannabis and to develop best
practices for its use, cultivation, distribution and regulation. All of CTI’s course offerings
are digitally delivered through an in-site learning management system and are viewable
from any desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
HempStaff: HempStaff is a leading provider of training programs for Retail Associates .
The curriculum offered by Hempstaff includes more than generic information and
industry jargon. HempStaff courses address cannabis biology and how it interacts with
the human body, including education about the dozen most popular cannabinoids and
terpenes. HempStaff has trained dispensary staff members in twenty-three states and
tailors its curriculum to each specific market. HempStaff’s California Marijuana
Dispensary Training includes the following areas of education:
1.How cannabis helps patients and the power of different cannabinoids and
terpenes;
2.Cannabis and the symptoms that it can minimize or alleviate;
3.All cannabis products that may be available and how to direct a customer
to use them;
4.How to recommend the appropriate cannabis dosage:
5.How to greet customers and speak with them to understand their needs and
recommend the most appropriate cannabis product and dosage to help
them have a positive experience;
6.The Endocannabinoid system: Learn how this little known system in your
body uses the cannabinoids to help alleviate ailments;
7.The main cannabinoids in cannabis (THC, CBD, CBN, etc) and what each
can do for your customers;
8.The ailments/diseases medical cannabis can be recommended for and
which cannabinoids/terpenes work best for symptoms associated with
these diseases;
9.How to manage point of sale systems, inventory systems and security in
the cannabis industry; and
10.A day in the life of a dispensary agent or retail associate.
Americans for Safe Access Cannabis Care Certification: Americans for Safe Access
(ASA) was founded in 2002, by medical cannabis patient Steph Sherer, as a vehicle for
patients to advocate for the acceptance of cannabis as medicine. With over 100,000 active
members in all fifty states, ASA is the largest national member-based organization of
patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal
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access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political,
social and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for
patients and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, research, grassroots
empowerment, advocacy and services for patients, governments, medical professionals,
and medical cannabis providers (https://www.safeaccessnow.org). Americans for Safe
Access Foundation and The Answer Page, Inc. have created the Cannabis Care
Certification program to help medical professionals, patients, and their caregivers better
understand the endocannabinoid system and cannabis therapeutics.
Trade Organizations
Trade organizations are an important resource for networking, education and improving as a
cannabis industry professional. Yerba Wellness will pay for its employees to join cannabis trade
organizations, such as Women Grow, California Cannabis Industry Association, NORML and
Americans for Safe Access, and will pay for employees to attend trade organization events. Staff
will be encouraged to research and join a variety of organizations that they feel represent their
interests and desired career path.
Women Grow: Women Grow was created to connect, educate, inspire and empower the
next generation of cannabis industry leaders by creating programs, community and events
for aspiring and current business executives. Founded in 2014 in Denver, Women Grow
is a for-profit entity that serves as a catalyst for women to influence and succeed in the
cannabis industry as the end of marijuana prohibition occurs on a national scale.
California Cannabis Industry Association: The California Cannabis Industry Association
(CCIA) was founded on the principle of strength in numbers. The thousands of California
businesses involved in the state-legal cannabis industry represent a significant economic
force. As the industry's most influential state trade association, CCIA works everyday to
ensure that the burgeoning cannabis business sector is represented in a professional and
coordinated way at the state level. Their mission is to promote the growth of a
responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic,
and legal environment for our industry in the state of California.
NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws): Since its founding
in 1970, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans
who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana
consumers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests
of the tens of millions of Americans who use marijuana responsibly. Today NORML
continues to lead the fight to reform state and federal marijuana laws, whether by voter
initiative or through the elected legislatures. NORML serves as an informational resource
to the national media on marijuana-related stories, providing a perspective to offset the
anti-marijuana propaganda from the government; lobbies state and federal legislators in
support of reform legislation; publishes a regular newsletter; hosts, along with the
NORML Foundation, an informative web site and an annual conference; and serves as
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the umbrella group for a national network of citizen-activists committed to ending
marijuana prohibition and legalizing marijuana.
Americans for Safe Access: Americans for Safe Access (“ASA”) was founded in 2002,
by medical cannabis patient Steph Sherer, as a vehicle for patients to advocate for the
acceptance of cannabis as medicine. With over 100,000 active members in all fifty states,
ASA is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical
professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to
cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political, social and
legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients
and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, research, grassroots
empowerment, advocacy and services for patients, governments, medical professionals,
and medical cannabis
providers.
2.4 Social Policy Recruitment Plan
2.4 Describe the Commercial Cannabis Business plan to recruit individuals who meet
the criteria listed in the Social Policy Section 9-3316 (b) (1) of the Fresno Municipal
Code (FMC) and the percentage of local employees it hires.
Yerba Wellness is strongly committed to social equity in recruitment, hiring and retention of its
workforce. Yerba Wellness will execute a good faith plan to ensure that at least one-third of the
weekly hours of its workforce is performed by employees who meet the following requirements
of FMC Section 9-3316(b)(1):
1.Annual family income below eighty percent (80%) area median income (AMI);
2.Convicted for a cannabis related crime that could have been prosecuted as a
misdemeanor or citation under current State law;
3.Lived in a low to moderate income census tract in the city for a minimum of three (3)
years;
4.Veteran;
5.Former foster home youth who was in foster care as a minor;
6.Unemployed; or
7.Receiving public assistance.
Yerba Wellness’ employment application will include a section where an applicant may
self-certify that they meet one or more of the above criteria. Any applicant who so certifies will
be given priority for interviews and hiring.
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In addition to Yerba Wellness’ commitment above, Yerba Wellness pledges to use its best
efforts to ensure that, at a minimum, one-half of the weekly hours of its workforce is performed
by employees who identify as women, and one-half of the weekly hours of its workforce is
performed by employees who identify as minorities.
Transitional Workers:
In furtherance of Yerba Wellness’ commitment to hiring transitional workers, Yerba Wellness
will provide a supportive environment for ancillary needs. Yerba Wellness will ensure its
employees have access to the services of any relevant support organizations by posting their
information in the employee break room and offering these organizations time and space to
present to employees. Furthermore, Yerba Wellness will work with human resources
professionals to develop appropriate interview questions and protocols.
Local Hires:
Yerba Wellness will direct its recruitment efforts to the local neighborhood surrounding Yerba
Wellness’ location, as Yerba Wellness is committed to bringing economic opportunities to the
community in which its retail business operates. Yerba Wellness will recruit from Fresno
County’s Employment Resources Center’s Welfare-to-Work program.
LGBTQ+ Hires:
In Yerba Wellness’ effort to recruit LGBTQ employees, Yerba Wellness will engage with local,
community-based organizations, including the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission
LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Fresno Spectrum Center, Fresno Youth Alliance, LGBT Fresno and
other LGBTQ+ organizations in the Fresno area.
Women Hires:
In Yerba Wellness effort to recruit female employees, Yerba Wellness will engage with
organizations including the Fresno Women’s Network, Fresno County Women’s Chamber of
Commerce, Fresno Women’s Trade Club, Fresno State’s Women’s Alliance and other women’s
organizations in the Fresno area, including women’s shelters and homeless shelters.
Minority Hires:
In Yerba Wellness effort to recruit minority employees, Yerba Wellness will develop
partnerships with social equity employment centers and organizations, such as Fresno
Community Alliance, the Interfaith Alliance of Central California, Fresno State’s African
American Initiative, Fresno State’s Hispanic Student Business Association, Fresno Metro Black
Chamber of Commerce, Fresno Area Hispanic Association, Center for Leadership, Equity and
Research, and other similar organizations that facilitate job outreach, development, and
placement services for minority populations.
Expungement Clinics:
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Yerba Wellness will also advertise job opportunities at expungement clinics held by the Clean
State Program, Element 7 and other organizations.
Yerba Wellness Career Fairs:
In addition to the above described recruitment efforts, Yerba Wellness will host an annual
cannabis career fair. During these events, Yerba Wellness will identify potential employees, as
well as offer booths to other cannabis operators in the area to provide job seekers with the
widest exposure possible to opportunities in the industry. The events will provide on-site resume
and job skills training with volunteers from Yerba Wellness’ network of cannabis professionals.
Each career fair will also provide free booth space to nonprofit partners and to local regulatory
agencies, educators and policymakers, encouraging them to inform people about employment
rights, access to agency services and cannabis career opportunities.
Hiring Review and Compliance:
Yerba Wellness will conduct a semiannual review of the success of its hiring and retention
practices to ensure that Yerba Wellness is meeting its social equity hiring goals. Yerba Wellness
will maintain records of compliance that will include evidence of its outreach efforts, including
organizations contacted, and number of persons interviewed and hired. Yerba Wellness will
provide proof of its ongoing compliance with FMC Section 9-3316(b)(1) to the City of Fresno.
Corporate Social Responsibility Report:
Yerba Wellness will also annually prepare and publish a Corporate Social Responsibility
Report. Yerba Wellness will provide a copy to the City Manager and will also publish the report
on its website so that its customers and the public can access the report. Yerba Wellness’ annual
Corporate Social Responsibility Report will include the following sections:
1.Letter from the Owners;
2.Business overview;
3.Management structure;
4.Health and safety performance;
5.Environmental performance and sustainability;
6.Business continuity and disaster recovery;
7.People/human resources;
8.Community relations; and
9.Goals for the upcoming year
2.5 Locally Owned and Managed Enterprise
2.5 Describe the extent to which the Commercial Cannabis Business will be a locally
managed enterprise whose owners and /or managers reside within or own a
commercial business within the City of Fresno, for at least one year prior to March 2,
2020.
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Yerba Wellness will be a locally owned and managed enterprise. Mr. Vernon Jones, a lifelong
Fresno resident and honorably retired City of Fresno Fire Captain, owns fifty-one percent of
Yerba Wellness. Mr. Jones is an active community member whose passion for improving the
quality of life for disadvantaged residents of Fresno will serve him well as Yerba Wellness’
designated Community Liaison, whereby Mr. Jones will help oversee and direct all Yerba
Wellness philanthropy, and community benefits and reinvestment programs.
Please see Section 1.1 of this application for a detailed description of Mr. Jones’ qualifications
and ties to Fresno.
2.6 Projected Hires
2.6 Describe the number of employees, title/position and their respective
responsibilities.
Yerba Wellness will employ approximately twenty people on a full time basis.
General Manager: Yerba Wellness will employ one General Manager.
Responsibilities:
The General Manager will be responsible for general management and direction of Yerba
Wellness and will oversee all operations. The General Manager will ensure that all
human resources, financial, legal, regulatory, and operational obligations are fulfilled.
The General Manager will be Yerba Wellness’ designated liaison for the State of
California Bureau of Cannabis Control and the City of Fresno.
Staff Management:
The General Manager will assist with recruitment and interviewing of Yerba Wellness
retail personnel. The General Manager will supervise all staff including the Marketing
Manager, Security Manager and Retail Managers and any consultants, and will provide
direction and training as needed. The General Manager will conduct employee meetings
and training in conjunction with Yerba Wellness’ third party Training Manager on a
periodic basis. The General Manager will ensure workplace safety and compliance at the
premises. The General Manager will conduct employee training, processes all new hire
paperwork, and oversees human resources including payroll processing with Yerba
Wellness’ vendors. The General Manager will conduct annual employee reviews and will
also be responsible for implementing any disciplinary measures.
Compliance:
The General Manager will be ultimately responsible for ensuring full regulatory
compliance with all local and State laws and regulations. The General Manager will be
responsible for maintaining official records and overseeing the creation and updating of
all Standard Operating Procedures, Employee Handbooks, training materials, and
preparing and submitting reports and other required documentation. The General
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Manager maintains all day to day records required under local and state recordkeeping
requirements for cannabis businesses. The General Manager will conduct weekly
compliance spot checks, provide guidance and support and if needed, discipline and
retraining to all employees. The General Manager will stay up to date on all laws and
regulations and will have a command of the regulatory expectations to ensure that Yerba
Wellness is fully compliant at all times.
Inventory Management and Recalls:
The General Manager will be responsible for conducting a physical inventory and
METRC track and trace reconciliation at least every thirty days or more often if needed
or for spot checks, and for ensuring that all applicable records are maintained. The
General Manager will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with
suppliers to ensure efficiency along the supply chain. The General Manager will analyze
sales performance and direct all Yerba Wellness inventory purchasing. The General
Manager will ensure that all inventory intaken at the cannabis retail business meets all
State and local regulations regarding testing, packaging, and labeling. The General
Manager will be responsible for managing any product recalls that may arise. The
General Manager will analyze inventory and sales reports to improve purchasing and
sales performance, and to increase profitability. The General Manager will administer
Yerba Wellness’ Social Equity purchasing program.
Cash Management:
The General Manager will be responsible for making timely cash drops and vendor
payments, and for accounting for all incoming cash and outgoing expenses for the day,
maintaining all written and electronic cash ledgers.
Finance and Legal:
The General Manager will work with the President and Chief Operations Officer to
engage, direct, and interact with all licensed professionals for accounting, legal, and
financial needs.
City Liaison:
The General Manager will also act as the designated liaison to the City of Fresno. During
the first year of operations, the General Manager and the owners will attend meetings
with the City Manager, and other interested parties as deemed appropriate by the City
Manager, to discuss costs, benefits, and other community issues arising as a result of
implementation of Fresno’s cannabis program. After the first year of operations, the
General Manager and the owners will meet with the CityManager when and as requested
by the City Manager.
Neighborhood Liaison:
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Working under the direction of the President and Yerba Wellness’ designated
Community Liaison, Owner Vernon Jones, the General Manager will be the designated
neighborhood liaison for Yerba Wellness. The General Manager will participate in
community networking and outreach and act as an ambassador of Yerba Wellness. The
General Manager will introduce himself or herself to all businesses and residents within
five hundred (500) feet of Yerba Wellness and will provide them with his or her name,
cell phone number and email address so that neighbors may contact him or her regarding
any problems or complaints.
Marketing Manager: Yerba Wellness will employ one Marketing Manager.
Responsibilities:
The Marketing Manager will work to maximize profitability through the development of
marketing strategies that comply with all state and local regulations. The Marketing
Manager will accomplish any advertising/marketing goals within budget, meeting
deadlines as needed. Regular duties will include advertising, social media, public
relations, organizing events, sponsorship, networking, monitoring and analyzing market
trends, studying competitors' products and services, exploring ways of improving existing
products and services, identifying target markets and developing strategies to best engage
with them. The Marketing Manager will work to create legally compliant branded
merchandise as needed for promotional purposes, and for directly increasing customer
traffic, social media following, and positive online reviews. The Marketing Manager will
also be responsible for developing and overseeing the production of advertisements and
marketing campaigns and materials and collaborating with upper management for design
and tracking of efficacy of materials and campaigns. The Marketing Manager will be
responsible for ensuring that all advertising and marketing materials are in full
compliance with State and City of Fresno regulations.
Retail Managers: Yerba Wellness will employ three Retail Managers.
Responsibilities:
Each Retail Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the Retail Associates are
properly and efficiently carrying out their job duties, and correcting them if
necessary. Retail Managers will be responsible for cash handling, conducting register
drops periodically and performing opening/closing procedures.
Staff Management:
Each Retail Manager will also be responsible for delegating tasks and managing time
efficiently in order to be available to address any immediate needs or concerns that arise
at Yerba Wellness. The Retail Managers will oversee customer service, ensuring that all
customers and visitors have the best possible experience at Yerba Wellness at all times.
The Retail Managers are responsible for all retail scheduling and employees.
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Inventory Management & Compliance:
The Retail Managers will assist the General Manager with inventory management under
the direction and supervision of the General Manager. The Retail Managers will be
responsible for ensuring that Yerba Wellness has the ideal amount of supplies and
inventory to meet operational needs and to avoid overstocking any items. The Retail
Managers will be responsible for collaborating with the General Manager to maintain
Yerba Wellness’ point of sale system of tracking all supply inventory at all times. The
Retail Managers will be responsible for keeping accurate documentation of all inventory
and transactions, and for ensuring quality control of all inventory. The Retail Managers
will be responsible for efficient and organized storage of all supplies, and for ensuring
that all cannabis and cannabis goods are properly stored to maintain product quality. The
Retail Managers will collaborate with other Managers to ensure proper entries into the
point of sale system and METRC track and trace system, and to ensure full compliance
with all State and local track and trace regulations and requirements.
Return/Recall Management and Waste Management:
The Retail Managers will be responsible for handling any product returns and recalls in
collaboration with the General Manager. The Retail Managers will be responsible for
disposing of display items and any returned or recalled items as needed according to State
and local laws and Yerba Wellness’ Waste Management Plan.
Compliance:
In collaboration with the General Manager, the Retail Managers will ensure that Yerba
Wellness maintains all applicable compliance records and video recordings including
visitors logs, shipping manifests, delivery invoices, certificates of analysis, and all other
required documentation produced in the daily operations of the dispensary. The Retail
Managers will be responsible for ensuring day to day operational compliance with all
local and State laws and is responsible for ensuring that the standard operating
procedures are followed by staff under his or her direction at all times. A Retail Manager
will attend OSHA training yearly.
Retail Associates: Yerba Wellness will employ seven Retail Associates.
Responsibilities:
Retail Associates will be responsible for providing patients, customers and visitors with
an exceptional level of service at all times. Retail Associates will be responsible for
knowing about the various products available to customers, and for understanding the
laws regarding daily limits, packaging, and potency. Retail Associates will be expected to
be knowledgeable, friendly, and committed to providing the very best customer service at
all times while maintaining registers that reconcile accurately and without incident. Retail
Associates will also be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized working
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environment and assisting with COVID-19 related sanitization procedures. Retail
Associates will be expected after training to be experts in use of the retail point of sale
system and will be responsible for following all of Yerba Wellness’ Standard Operating
Procedures. Retail Associates will be expected to have a positive attitude and maintain
friendly, positive communication with customers, co-workers, visitors and managers at
all times.
Retail Associates staffed at reception will be expected to give new customers an
informative and welcoming introduction. Retail Associates staffed at reception will be
responsible for taking delivery orders over the phone and inputting them into the retail
point of sale system for fulfillment and for ensuring compliance with all associated
Standard Operating Procedures. Retail Associates staffed at reception will be responsible
for maintaining all front of the house records including visitor logs and age verification.
Security Manager: Yerba Wellness will employ one armed Security Manager.
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Compliance Manager: Yerba Wellness will contract one Compliance Manager.
Responsibilities:
The Compliance Manager will be responsible for working with the General Manager to
ensure that Yerba Wellness is in full compliance with all state and local laws and
regulations at all times, including regulations regarding METRC track and trace,
inventory controls, surveillance, quality control, product packaging and labeling and
testing. The Compliance Manager will be an expert on all California and City of Fresno
regulations regarding cannabis, including the California Medicinal and Adult-Use
Cannabis Regulatory and Safety Act and the City of Fresno Commercial Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance. The Compliance Manager will also be responsible for monitoring
all updates to laws and regulations regarding cannabis. The Compliance Manager will
assist with preparing, maintaining and updating Yerba Wellness’ Standard Operating
Procedures. The Compliance Manager will hold internal compliance audits on a
semi-annual basis and will present the results of such audits to the Owners, President,
Chief Operating Manager, VP of Operations and General Manager. The Compliance
Manager will work with the VP of Operations and General Manager to create and
implement plans of correction for any issues identified by an audit. The Compliance
Manager will assist with training employees in compliance, operating procedures, and
facilitating other training protocols. The Compliance Manager will also assist with
creating records of compliance.
2.7 Labor Peace Agreement
2.7 Describe whether the CCB has five (5) or more employees and whether it has
signed a labor peace agreement allowing employees to unionize without interference.
Yerba Wellness anticipates having more than five employees. In accordance with FMC
Section 9-3316(b)(2), within thirty days of Yerba Wellness’ fifth hire, Yerba Wellness will
sign a labor peace agreement allowing its employees to join or form a union without
interference. Upon execution of the labor peace agreement, Yerba Wellness will provide a
copy of the executed agreement to the City Manager.
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2.8 Workforce Plan
2.8 Provide a workforce plan that includes at a minimum the following provisions:
2.8.1 Commitment for 30% of employees to be local hires; the business must
show that it has either hired or made a good faith effort to hire bona fide
residents of Fresno who have not established residency after the submission of
an application for employment with the applicant/permittee.
2.8.2 Commitment to offer apprenticeships and/or compensation for continuing
education in the field; and
2.8.3 Commitment to pay a living wage to its employees.
Yerba Wellness’ recruitment and hiring practices will be based upon its core values of diversity
and inclusion. Yerba Wellness is committed to maintaining a staff that will be composed of at
least fifty percent female, fifty percent minorities, thirty percent local hires and thirty-three
percent persons who meet the requirements of Fresno Municipal Code Section 9-3316(b)(1).
Local Hires
Yerba Wellness will direct its recruitment efforts to the neighborhood surrounding the Yerba
Wellness premises, as it is committed to bringing economic opportunities to the community in
which its retail business operates. Yerba Wellness commits to hiring at least sixty percent of its
employees to be local hires and will happily have up to one hundred percent of its employees to
local hires. Yerba Wellness will require its prospective hires to show at least two forms of
identification that demonstrates that they have been bona fide residents of Fresno for at least one
year prior to Yerba Wellness’ commencement of operations. Acceptable forms of identification
will include State IDs, lease agreements, utility bills and bank statements. Yerba Wellness will
use its best efforts to employ residents of Fresno that live within a five mile radius of Yerba
Wellness.
Yerba Wellness will maintain records of all recruitment efforts, including organizations
contacted, and the number of persons interviewed and who was hired. Yerba Wellness will have
a robust waiting list of interested, verified candidates so that in the event of an opening, Yerba
Wellness will be readily prepared to fill positions with local applicants. Yerba Wellness will
offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and attractive long term career potential
to Yerba Wellness employees, allowing Yerba Wellness to attract integrous, talented individuals
to Yerba Wellness. Yerba Wellness will thoroughly vet all potential hires for character, integrity,
professionalism, suitability and trainability while staying within the scope of all related
employment laws. Yerba Wellness will provide proof of its ongoing compliance with FMC
Section 9-3316(b)(1) to the City of Fresno. Yerba Wellness will also publish this information in
its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
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Mentorships & Continuing Education
Yerba Wellness is committed to helping its employees become leading professionals in the
cannabis industry. In furtherance of this goal, Yerba Wellness will pay for its employees to
complete certification programs from the Cannabis Training Institute, HempStaff, and
Americans for Safe Access Cannabis Care Certification. Yerba Wellness will offer ongoing
education and mentoring to its employees, and collect data related to the success of its training so
that Yerba Wellness may modify its approach as it matures. Please see Section 2.3 of this
application for a robust description of the certification programs.
For the first two to three years of operations of the retail cannabis business, members of the
executive team will be on-site frequently to oversee the operations. The executive team strongly
believes in mentorship and apprenticeship. Both Mr. Sosa and Ms. Wright will take on mentees
and apprentices. These mentees and apprentices will be able to shadow their mentors and learn
from their combined 23 years of experience in the cannabis business.
Mr. Sosa has a history of mentoring women and minorities in the cannabis industry. One of his
mentors is one of the first women and one of the first Latinas in California to receive a license
for cultivation of cannabis. She began her career as a retail associate and expressed interest in
learning how to cultivate cannabis. Mr. Sosa spent considerable time over many years teaching
his mentee about the business of cultivation as well as about organic and environmentally
sustainable cultivation techniques.
Mr. Sosa also strongly believes in promoting from within. In his retail cannabis business in Los
Angeles, Mr. Sosa has promoted many of his current managers from their starting positions as
retail associates. He has also supported and paid for continuing education for his employees in
his retail cannabis business in Los Angeles.
Ms. Wright is a champion of women in the cannabis business, and frequently provides
mentorship to female and female-identifying staff who appreciate having a female role model.
Living Wage
Yerba Wellness is absolutely committed to offering its employees a living wage, and to
maintaining superior compensation as the cost of living index rises. Living wage is defined as the
hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support his or herself and their family.
It is assumed that the individual is the sole provider and is working full-time (2080 hours per
year). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has extensively researched costs of
living across the U.S., and determined that the living wage for Fresno County ranges between
approximately per hour for an adult with no children to approximately per hour
for a single parent with three children. Information regarding this specific data may be found
here via this link.
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Yerba Wellness will offer the following full time equivalent wages, with approximately 80% of
Yerba Wellness positions being full-time hires.
Benefits
Yerba Wellness believes that benefits are an integral part of its compensation package for Yerba
Wellness employees. Yerba Wellness is proud to offer health insurance, dental insurance, vision
insurance, vacation leave, sick/medical leave, parental leave, a retirement plan, in-store
discounts, bonus programs and an employee recognition program. Please see Section 2.2 of this
application for a robust description of the benefits Yerba Wellness will offer its employees.
Diversity
Yerba Wellness is committed to diversity in hiring for both staff and management positions.
Yerba Wellness will conduct training in-house as well as consider contracting with service
providers and programs for diversity and cultural awareness training, including Diversity Central
and/or Commisceo Global. Yerba Wellness’ goal is to inspire cultural sensitivity around race,
religion, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disabilities and age.
Yerba Wellness will first train its leadership and management team and then develop a program
for staff training, with specific tailoring to Yerba Wellness’ community at large. Specifically,
Yerba Wellness will train its management team to identify and address resistance to diversity and
cultural awareness among employees.
Managers will have an open-door policy so that employees know that they can bring any
questions or concerns about diversity or cultural awareness matters to a Manager for prompt
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Title Type Rate
General Manager Salaried
Security Manager Hourly
Marketing Manager Hourly
Retail Managers Hourly
Retail Associates Hourly
Security Guards Hourly
response. Diversity and cultural awareness training will be part of the overall training that every
new employee will receive and will be part of the refresher training Yerba Wellness will conduct
on a periodic and as needed basis. Training sessions will include both on-site training at Yerba
Wellness and also off-site events and retreats that will allow employees to professionally get to
know each other in a non-work environment.
Yerba Wellness will embody its core value of diversity inclusion in all hiring decisions, with
weighted preference to local applicants in application processing. This information will be
documented annually in Yerba Wellness’ Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Non-Discrimination
Yerba Wellness will adopt a robust non-discrimination plan that ensures that all local, state and
federal non-discriminatory employee policies and laws are strictly adhered to at Yerba Wellness.
Yerba Wellness will ensure that its non-discrimination plan applies to all stages of employment
including recruiting, hiring, discipline, termination, promotions, transfers, compensation,
benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms and conditions of employment.
This plan will reflect Yerba Wellness’ commitment to providing equal employment opportunities
to all, without regard to age, ancestry, color, religion, (including religious dress and grooming
practices), disability (mental and physical), any medical condition, genetic information, military
or veteran status, national origin (including language use restrictions), race, pregnancy status
(including childbirth, breastfeeding, medical conditions related to pregnancy, other maternal
obligations), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other
protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. All Managers
will undergo training in Yerba Wellness’ employee non-discrimination policy.
In addition, Yerba Wellness is committed to providing a work environment that is free of
harassment. In furtherance of this commitment, Yerba Wellness will strictly prohibit all forms of
harassment, including sexual harassment, harassment on the basis of age, ancestry, color,
religion, disability, any medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status,
national origin, race, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, medical conditions
related to pregnancy, other maternal obligations), gender, gender identity, and gender expression,
sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state,
and local laws. Employees and Managers will be required to undergo workplace harassment
training, specifically including sexual harassment training.
Yerba Wellness will provide a reasonable accommodation for any physical or mental disability
or for employees’ religious beliefs and observances. Yerba Wellness will not retaliate or
discriminate against an employee for requesting an accommodation, regardless of whether the
accommodation was granted.
This non-discrimination policy prohibits discrimination and harassment in the workplace and
applies to employees, Managers and Owners. Yerba Wellness will prohibit its Owners, Managers
and employees from discriminating against or harassing employees, customers, vendors,
independent contractors and others doing business with Yerba Wellness. In addition, Yerba
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Wellness will prohibit customers, vendors, suppliers, independent contractors and others doing
business with Yerba Wellness from discriminating against or harassing Yerba Wellness’
employees.
Staffing Timeline
As experienced cannabis industry job creators and teambuilders, Yerba Wellness is ready to
commence its staffing timeline upon approval for licensure and receipt of a conditional use
permit. The staffing timeline will be adjusted to reflect additional delivery drivers, retail
associates, management and security over time as Yerba Wellness grows and flourishes in the
community
Pre-opening/build-out phase:
Yerba Wellness will utilize the pre-opening phase to recruit, hire and train initial staff.
Yerba Wellness will hire a General Manager, a Marketing Manager, a Security Manager
and two Retail Managers and commence training. Once build-out is near completion,
Yerba Wellness will hire four Retail Associates under the direction of the General
Manager and commence training. Yerba Wellness will also hire six Security Guards and
commence training. Yerba Wellness will also engage the services of a Compliance
Manager.
Pre-opening staffing metrics:
Yerba Wellness’ pre-opening staffing metrics are: two shifts per day, with one Retail
Manager, three Security Guards, and two Retail Associates present per shift.
First year of operations:
Yerba Wellness will conduct employee performance evaluations at the six month point
and twelve month point, address any inefficiencies with employees, and retrain/rehire as
necessary. Yerba Wellness will hire additional Retail Associates and Security Guards as
needed as the number of customers visiting Yerba Wellness increases. Full time positions
and additional work hours will be first offered to part time employees as part of Yerba
Wellness’ commitment to promote from within.
Year one staffing metrics:
Yerba Wellness first year staffing metrics are: two shifts per day, with one Retail
Manager, three Security Guards, and two to four Retail Associates present at Yerba
Wellness per shift.
Second year of operations:
Yerba Wellness will continue to conduct employee performance evaluations every six
months. Yerba Wellness will continue to hire new employees as necessary.
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Year two Staffing metrics:
Yerba Wellness anticipates its second year staffing metrics to mirror its first year staffing
metrics. Yerba Wellness will consider merit-based promotions for the Retail Associates
to Manager positions.
2.9 Social Equity Business Incubation
2.9 Describe whether the business is willing to serve as a Social Equity Business
Incubator by offering support to local cannabis social equity businesses in the form of
mentorship, training, equipment donation, a percentage of shelf space dedicated to
Fresno equity business products, legal assistance, financial services assistance, or
other technical assistance support.
Yerba Wellness is willing and proud to serve as a Social Equity Business Incubator. Yerba
Wellness will offer the following services and opportunities to social equity business owners
and operators. Yerba Wellness’ intention is to work in partnership with other cannabis
businesses that share its mission of justice, fairness and economic equality for all.
Mentorship and Training
Yerba Wellness will provide a variety of mentorship and training opportunities to social equity
business owners. Mentorship will include a "shadow" program where it will allow at least two
emerging social equity business owners to observe operations over a three month period.
Training will include several on-site training sessions in which Mr. Sosa and Ms. Wright will
train social equity business owners in various areas of operations, including procurement,
inventory management, risk management, cannabis business economics and teambuilding. This
mentorship process will also include emotional and intellectual support during challenges that
face many business owners and operators in creating and maintaining a profitable business.
Equipment Donation
Yerba Wellness will donate equipment such as iPads for point of sale systems and shelves for
product placement, as well as assets including Yerba generated checklists, infographics,
purchasing formulas and compliance records templates.
Shelf Space
Yerba Wellness will dedicate twenty percent of all shelf space to products cultivated,
manufactured and/or distributed by Fresno social equity cannabis businesses. Additionally,
Yerba Wellness will give shelf space priority to cultivators, manufacturers and distributors
based in communities which either qualify as economically disadvantaged or disproportionately
affected by cannabis criminalization, with priority to local Fresno licensed cannabis businesses.
These will either be organizations identified to be part of any other city’s social equity program,
or part of a disadvantaged community as defined by the State of California’s Disadvantaged
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Communities Mapping Tool. Yerba Wellness will verify participants’ long-term residency in
these communities to ensure fair and appropriate economic inclusion.
Legal Assistance
While Yerba Wellness cannot provide any legal advice to social equity business owners, it will
be happy to make a financial contribution to a fund for legal assistance for social equity business
owners. Yerba Wellness will also be happy to introduce social equity business owners to the
lawyers and law firms that Yerba Wellness uses that have robust and experienced cannabis law
practices. Yerba Wellness will be willing to share information regarding cannabis compliance,
regulations and requirements, resources and strategies when appropriate.
Financial Services Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide mentorship and training sessions on financial systems that are
available to cannabis businesses and how to navigate complex issues of taxation and banking.
Yerba Wellness will share contacts at financial institutions willing to work with licensed
cannabis businesses as well as contacts at leading accounting firms specializing in cannabis best
practices and fiduciary responsibilities.
Technical Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide mentorship and training sessions on the various software programs
utilized by retail cannabis businesses, including point of sale systems and digital marketing
programs. Yerba Wellness will mentor and train social equity business participants on the use of
Accela, the State’s cannabis application and licensing portal.
Networking Assistance
Yerba Wellness will also utilize online state cannabis licensing databases for the City of Fresno
to identify and engage with social equity licensees. Yerba Wellness will attend workshops and
meet-and-greets hosted by organizations promoting social equity in the cannabis industry. These
networking opportunities will allow Yerba Wellness to connect and hire directly with social
equity cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and testing labs. Yerba Wellness will include
cannabis social equity businesses at its events including local hiring fairs, expungement clinics,
and other community focused events.
Educational Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide resources, such as space and/or training materials, for various
educational workshops where social equity licensees can learn the basics about operations,
compliance, real estate and securing capital. Yerba Wellness will provide access to educational
materials prepared by its internal team of operational experts as well as those from third party
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organizations specializing in providing education to employees and operators in the cannabis
industry.
Testimonials
Please see the following testimonials from two recipients of mentorship and social equity
incubation services provided by the Yerba Wellness executive team.
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"Daniels advice throughout the process of growing my cannabis career
from employee to cannabis business owner is priceless. He speaks
from experience. Tiffany's thoroughness, work ethic and leadership
was nothing less than extraordinary. Anybody that works with them are
very fortunate to have them on their side. I couldn't have asked for a
better team."
"Daniel has taught me, a young, Latina cultivator, how to create a
stronger business through helping me acquire my own cannabis
license and aiding me with the knowledge and resources to become
successful in an increasingly competitive industry. He supports and
encourages quality values such as good health and well-being and his
belief in growing cannabis responsibly and organically is my favorite
part of working with him."
Cannabis Mentorship & Incubation Testimonies
Herbert Gomez
Licensed Cultivator,
Manufacturer, & Distributor
Jamie Rodriguez
Licensed Cultivator
ABOUT JAMIE: Jamie began her career as a budtender working an entry level
position at Daniel's medical cannabis dispensary. She quickly advanced in the
industry with Daniel's mentorship, and now holds a license for cannabis cultivation,
running her own successful cannabis cultivation business. Daniel continues to
support Jamie as a successful woman in cannabis. Jamie and Daniel are Social
Equity partners in a licensed retail cannabis business opening in 2021.
ABOUT HERBERT: Daniel gave Herbert his first job in the cannabis industry.
Recognizing Herbert's potential, Daniel mentored him in how to operate a
successful cannabis business. Over the years, Daniel encouraged Herbert in the
eventual establishment of his own cannabis businesses. Today, Herbert holds
licenses in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution Social Equity
businesses. Daniel and Tiffany continue to help Herbert with mentorship, licensing
and compliance as he continues to grow as a successful industry professional.
Daniel Sosa
Yerba Wellness President
& Social Equity Mentor
Daniel Sosa is a leader in the cannabis industry and a
longtime advocate of cannabis Social Equity. He has
a proven history providing quality mentorship and
viable cannabis business opportunities to his most
promising employees and local aspiring cannabis
Social Equity business operators, some of whom are
pictured. If approved, Daniel looks forward to
expanding this mentorship and incubation to Fresno
residents.
Social Equity in Action
Section Three:
Neighborhood
Compatibility Plan
3. Neighborhood Compatibility Plan
Yerba Wellness is committed to enhancing the neighborhood in which it is located. While the
Yerba Wellness facility and premises will feature state of art security and technology, the
executive team will ensure that none of the perceived consequences of gentrification disturb the
spirit or inherent characteristics of the local community. Yerba Wellness will positively impact
its neighborhood via increased cleanliness, beautification, enhanced security and additional
influx of consumers to nearby businesses.
3.1 Complaint Management
3.1 Describe how the CCB will proactively address and respond to complaints related to
noise, light, odor, litter, vehicles, and pedestrian traffic.
Yerba Wellness has developed a comprehensive plan to proactively address noise, light, odor,
litter and vehicle and pedestrian traffic issues so that Yerba Wellness will operate without any
negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
Noise
Yerba Wellness will ensure that the ambient noise levels from our cannabis retail business will
never exceed sixty decibels. Yerba Wellness will allow only background, low decibel level
music to be played within Yerba Wellness. Yerba Wellness will install a state-of-the-art HVAC
system with low noise levels. Otherwise, there will be no machinery or equipment in Yerba
Wellness that will emit any loud noise. Yerba Wellness’ Security Guards will not allow any
customers or other individuals to loiter outside Yerba Wellness or in the adjacent parking lot up
to a minimum fifty foot radius from Yerba Wellness.
In the event that customers are lined up outside of Yerba Wellness, either prior to the Yerba
Wellness opening in the morning or due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, Yerba
Wellness’ Security Guards will monitor the customers and ensure that the customers wait quietly
and do not disturb our neighbors.
Construction Noise:
During the construction and build-out process of Yerba Wellness, it will follow Chapter 1,
Article 10 of the Fresno Municipal Code which allows noise emanating from construction, repair
or remodeling work accomplished pursuant to a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or
other construction permit issued by the city or other governmental agency, provided such work
takes place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday. Yerba
Wellness will ensure that all construction and remodeling work occurs only between the hours of
7:00am and 10:00 Monday thru Saturday. Yerba Wellness will instruct our contractor and his
employees to use all noise mitigation efforts possible.
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Light
Yerba Wellness will be well-lit at all times, and, with approval from the Chief of Policy of
Fresno, Yerba Wellness will install perimeter lighting that is motion sensor activated. Yerba
Wellness believes that it is very important to have the premises (including the parking lot) very
well lit in order to deter crime. Yerba Wellness understands that our neighbors may be disturbed
by lighting, so Yerba Wellness will equip our outdoor lighting with motion sensors so they are
only on after hours and when the motion sensor detects activity in the area. Yerba Wellness will
ensure that its lighting is in full compliance with Fresno Municipal Code SEC. 15-2508 Lighting
and Glare, SEC 15-2015 Outdoor Lighting and Illumination, and SEC. 15-2420 Parking Area
Lighting.
All lights will be placed to deflect light away from adjacent properties and public streets, and
also to prevent adverse interference with the normal operation or enjoyment of surrounding
properties. Direct or sky-reflected glare from Yerba Wellness’ outdoor floodlights will be
directed away from any other property or street. Yerba Wellness will ensure that none of its
lights will cast light onto any neighboring residential properties. Yerba Wellness’ outdoor lights
will not exceed twenty feet in height.
Yerba Wellness will also ensure that its windows will not cause glare that would disrupt
adjoining properties or traffic on the adjacent streets by installing anti-glare window film on all
windows. Yerba Wellness will also ensure that it mitigates any glare or heat that might be
reflected from our building materials, so that we do not disrupt any surrounding properties.
Yerba Wellness will use low glare and heat generating materials in its remodel of the premises.
Yerba Wellness’ lighting design for the adjacent parking lot will be coordinated with the
landscape plan to ensure that vegetation growth will not substantially impair the intended
illumination. Additionally, Yerba Wellness will design and install the lighting for the adjacent
parking lot in such a way that light and glare is not directed onto residential use areas or adjacent
public rights-of-way.
Odor
Yerba Wellness is committed to preventing any odors from emanating from Yerba Wellness. In
particular, Yerba Wellness will ensure that odors from cannabis are not detectable off-site. In
Owner Daniel Sosa’s experience operating a cannabis retail business in Los Angeles for over
thirteen years, no significant odor of cannabis is generated by a cannabis retail business because
no manufacturing or cultivation of cannabis occurs on-site. In addition, Yerba Wellness will
strictly prohibit any smoking or consumption of cannabis anywhere on the premises, including
inside Yerba Wellness, outside the business and in the parking lot. Any customer discovered
smoking or consuming cannabis in or around the premises will be promptly banned from Yerba
Wellness. Customers will be prohibited from opening any purchased packages while onsite at the
premises, including the parking lot, and will be advised to place purchased items in the trunk of
their vehicle. Should any customer be found opening a package in the parking lot, they will be
reminded of this policy by a Security Guard. Signage will be present informing customers that
opening or consuming any cannabis while onsite including while inside their vehicle is not
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allowed. Yerba Wellness will also prohibit employees from smoking cigarettes in front of Yerba
Wellness, in the parking lot or near neighboring businesses.
Odor Absorbing Ventilation and Exhaust System:
During the construction and remodel of Yerba Wellness’s location, Yerba Wellness will install a
best available, state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system throughout the entirety of the
premises that will ensure that any odor generated inside the premises will not detected outside of
Yerba Wellness, including anywhere on adjacent property or public rights-of-way, on or about
the exterior or interior common area walkways, hallways, breezeways, foyers, lobby areas, or
any other areas available for use by common tenants or the visiting public, or within any other
unit located inside the same building as Yerba Wellness. Yerba Wellness will install an exhaust
air filtration system with odor control that prevents internal odors and pollen from being emitted
externally. Yerba Wellness will also install an air system that creates negative air pressure
between Yerba Wellness’ interior and exterior, so that any odors generated inside Yerba
Wellness are not detectable outside the premises.
Charcoal Filter HVAC System:
In addition to the state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system, Yerba Wellness will have a
charcoal filter system integrated with its HVAC system as a secondary layer of protection against
odors.
Construction Odors:
While Yerba Wellness does not anticipate any odor issues during the construction and
remodeling process as no cannabis will be on-site, Yerba Wellness will direct our contractor to
proactively work to eliminate any construction related odors.
Litter
Yerba Wellness is very proud of the design of our cannabis retail business and will ensure that
the premises, sidewalk and parking lot are clean and attractive. Yerba Wellness will contract
with a Fresno janitorial services company to regularly clean and sanitize the premises, the
sidewalks and areas around the exterior of the building, and the parking lot. Litter will be
manually picked up by employees on a daily business from the premises, sidewalks and parking
lot. Also on a daily basis, the premises, sidewalks and parking lot will be manually swept and the
interior of the premises will be manually mopped. Litter and trash will be placed into designated
trash and recycling receptacles on a daily basis and the receptacles will be emptied on a weekly
basis. Yerba Wellness will place trash and recycling receptacles in the parking lot so as to
discourage littering from occurring.
Yerba Wellness will at all times be clean and attractive. Yerba Wellness will ensure that the
appearance of its cannabis retail business not only fits into the surrounding neighborhood, but is
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an attractive, new component of the neighborhood that uplifts the surrounding community.
Maintaining the cleanliness and attractiveness of Yerba Wellness is an essential part of our
business plan. Thus, part of the job description for each of our Managers, Retail Associates and
Security Guards will be to maintain the cleanliness of the cannabis retail premises. They will be
directed to clean up any litter they see, working in conjunction with Yerba Wellness’ contracted
janitorial services provider.
Vehicle Traffic
Yerba Wellness’ parking lot for the cannabis retail business has twenty five parking spots. Yerba
Wellness anticipates between twelve to thirty-five customers per hour and Yerba Wellness’
parking lot has ample parking for all of its customers. Yerba Wellness has exclusive use of the
parking lot. The amount of parking spaces in its parking lot exceeds the requirements of Article
24 of the Fresno Municipal Code with regards to the number of parking spaces required per
square foot of our cannabis retail business.
Pedestrian Traffic
As most, if not all, of Yerba Wellness’ customers will be able to park in our parking lot, Yerba
Wellness anticipates a minimal amount of pedestrian traffic. The parking lot is directly adjacent
to our cannabis retail business, so Yerba Wellness’ customers will only have to walk
approximately sixty feet to reach the front door. Please see Section 6.3 of this application which
includes a diagram that shows the parking lot in connection with Yerba Wellness. Yerba
Wellness’ customers will not have to pass by any other commercial business or residential
property when traversing from the parking lot into its cannabis retail business. Yerba Wellness is
confident that it will not attract any significant level of atypical pedestrian traffic and therefore
will not be a nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood.
Complaints
While Yerba Wellness’ primary objective is to operate its business in such a way that does not
generate complaints, Yerba Wellness is committed to immediately addressing any complaints
from its neighbors or other community members regarding noise, light, odor, litter and vehicle
and pedestrian traffic or any other topic of conversation. Our designated Community Liaison’s
name contact information will be posted near the entrance of Yerba Wellness, and any
complaints will be addressed within 24 hours.
Community Liaison:
Yerba Wellness Owner Vernon Jones will be Yerba Wellness’ Community Liaison. Mr. Jones is
a lifelong Fresno resident and a retired City of Fresno Fire Department Captain. Mr. Jones is
passionate about Fresno and is dedicated to revitalizing the community. Mr. Jones will reach out
to the Yerba Wellness community to establish relationships. Mr. Jones will periodically contact
Yerba Wellness’ surrounding neighbors to proactively ask if they have any concerns regarding
noise, light, odor, litter and vehicle and pedestrian traffic, or any other matter pertaining to our
commercial cannabis business operations. Yerba Wellness’ Community Liaison will contact
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Yerba Wellness’ neighbors within a 1000 foot radius, weekly during the first two months of
operations and will provide neighbors with his or her cell phone number so that they can
immediately inform him or her of any complaints or concerns. Yerba Wellness’ Community
Liaison will work proactively with the Community Outreach Manager and the General Manager
to identify solutions and rectify any complaints. The General Manager will also immediately
notify the Owners of any complaints and the Owners will ensure that our neighbors are satisfied
with the outcome and that a consensus is reached.
Plan of Correction:
Upon receipt of a complaint, the General Manager will meet with the Retail Managers and the
Security Manager to create a plan of correction for the complaint. The plan of correction will
include a timeline for rectifying the issue that caused the complaint. The General Manager will
inform the complaining individual of the timeline for rectifying the issue and will remain in
regular contact with the complaining individual until the issue has been rectified. Upon
completion of the plan of correction, the Managers will immediately begin the work necessary to
rectify the issue, including the hiring of any outside contractors who will be required to rectify
the issue. All corrective action taken will be documented and maintained as part of our official
records.
Revision of Standard Operating Procedures:
Once the issue has been rectified, the General Manager will work with the Owners to revise the
Standard Operating Procedures if required.
Employee Training:
All employees will then be trained on the complaint, rectification of the issue and the revised
Standard Operating Procedures, as applicable.
3.2 Neighborhood Responsibility Plan
3.2 Describe how the CCB will be managed to avoid becoming a nuisance or having
impacts on its neighbors and the surrounding community.
Yerba Wellness is committed to being responsible citizens and an asset to the neighborhood in
which Yerba Wellness operates. Yerba Wellness intends to become a bright hub of the
neighborhood by attracting other businesses that wish to benefit from the customers that Yerba
Wellness will bring to the area. Owner and lifelong Fresno resident, retired Fire Captain Vernon
Jones, will help direct our Neighborhood Responsibility Plan, drawing upon his lifetime
commitment to improving the quality of life in Fresno.
Positive Impact
If granted a permit to operate, Yerba Wellness will remodel the premises to be a bright, attractive
space that elevates the character of the neighborhood yet is consistent with its inherent
5
characteristics. Yerba Wellness will not have any signage that references cannabis, so neighbors
and passersby will only see a new, clean, well-designed, sophisticated business with a steady
stream of customers and state-of-the-art security. Day to day operations will ensure that all
activity is courteous, secure, and consistent with all local and state regulations. Each day, Yerba
Wellness will create a positive impact on its neighborhood by operating a model retail cannabis
business offering vast community benefits to both consumers and residents across the city.
Yerba Wellness will maintain its cannabis retail business at the highest state of operating order at
all times. The premises will always be clean and well maintained. The exterior and parking lot
will be well lit for safety purposes. Yerba Wellness will immediately remove any graffiti or other
marking on the premises. Yerba Wellness will remove litter and trash on a daily basis.
Please see Section 1 of the Yerba Wellness Business Plan application section for a robust
description of day to day operations and management which will mitigate any perceived negative
impact of commercial cannabis activity on the local community, and furthermore, Sections 1, 2,
6 and 7 for information about how Yerba will positively impact its community.
Prevention of Nuisance
As detailed in Section 3.1 of this application, Yerba Wellness is committed to being a benefit
rather than a nuisance to its neighbors by having robust plans to address odor, noise, light, litter
and vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Yerba Wellness will spend considerable time and resources to
take preemptive measures to ensure that Yerba Wellness does not cause any issues for its
neighbors, especially in regards to odor, noise, light, litter and vehicle and pedestrian traffic. In
the event that Yerba Wellness does inadvertently cause an issue, its neighbors will have the cell
phone number of Yerba Wellness’ Community Liaison who will be available at all times to
address complaints. Yerba Wellness will rectify the issue as soon as possible and train its
employees as necessary to ensure that the issue does not reoccur. Yerba Wellness understands
that, as a cannabis retail business, Yerba Wellness will be held to a higher standard of behaviour
and accountability and Yerba Wellness is fully committed to exceeding all requirements and
expectations.
Safety
Yerba Wellness will have three armed Security Guards patrolling the premises and the parking
lot at all times during operating hours. After operating hours, Yerba Wellness will have a locally
licensed security company contracted to provide armed response to any alarms. Yerba Wellness’
alarm system will be state of the art and Yerba Wellness will also have cameras that will record
every inch of the premises and the parking lot twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Recordings will be maintained for a minimum of ninety days and provided upon request by the
police department, including to aid in investigations unrelated to Yerba Wellness’ business.
These security measures will ensure the safety of Yerba Wellness’ customers and of the
premises. These security measures, in particular having three armed Security Guards patrolling
the premises and parking lot during operating hours, will also make the neighborhood safer by
discouraging and preventing crime in the area.
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Convenience:
Yerba Wellness is committed to becoming a valued member of the surrounding community.
Yerba Wellness will accomplish this by being a thriving business that will draw customers and
therefore additional commercial activity in the neighborhood, stimulating the local economy.
Yerba Wellness will provide education to consumers visiting Yerba Wellness about proper, safe
and responsible use of cannabis, as well as invitations to participate in community events,
fundraisers, job fairs, expungement clinics, symposiums and contribute to local causes. This
influx of positive new activity will bring fresh energy to the local area and conveniently invite a
renaissance of well being into Yerba Wellness’ neighborhood.
Welfare:
Yerba Wellness will directly benefit the welfare of the neighborhood surrounding its cannabis
retail business by employing neighborhood residents, providing health coverage to these
employees, providing a security presence in front of Yerba Wellness and by increasing the tax
base of the neighborhood surrounding Yerba Wellness. Yerba Wellness will also work with local
organizations such as Fresno’s Freedom School, Central Valley Community Foundation, Focus
Forward and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, to help uplift our neighborhood.
Yerba Wellness will drive many customers to the neighborhood each day which will lead to an
increase in business for surrounding businesses. This increase in the customer base of the
neighborhood could also lead to other new businesses opening in the surrounding neighborhood.
Public Health:
Yerba Wellness strongly believes in the public health benefits of legal cannabis. Like many other
cities across the United States, Fresno struggles with the opioid epidemic. A study published in
2014 found that from 1999 to 2010, states with medical cannabis laws experienced slower rates
of increase in opioid analgesic overdose death rates compared to states without such laws
(Bachhuber MA, Saloner B, Cunningham CO, Barry CL. Medical cannabis laws and opioid
analgesic overdose mortality in the United States, 1999-2010. JAMA Intern Med.
2014;174(10):1668-1673. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.4005). Yerba Wellness hopes that its
cannabis retail business will play a role in reducing opioid overdoses and pharmaceutical
dependency in Fresno.
Yerba Wellness will also offer its employees a robust package of health, dental and vision
benefits. Yerba Wellness will work to ensure that at least thirty percent of its employees will
reside within five miles of Yerba Wellness, so Yerba Wellness will be directly contributing to
the better health of Yerba Wellness’ neighborhood by providing its employees and their families
with health, dental and vision coverage.
Yerba Wellness will also provide its employees with a paid volunteer day each year and
encourage our employees to volunteer in the surrounding neighborhood.
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3.3 Odor Mitigation
3.3 Describe odor mitigation practices.
Yerba Wellness is committed to preventing any odors from emanating from its cannabis retail
business. In particular, Yerba Wellness will ensure that odors from cannabis are not detectable
off-site. In Owner Daniel Sosa’s experience operating a cannabis retail business in Los Angeles
for over thirteen years, no significant odor of cannabis is generated by a cannabis retail business
because no manufacturing or cultivation of cannabis occurs on-site.
Yerba Wellness’ most important odor mitigation practice is that Yerba Wellness will strictly
prohibit any smoking or consumption of cannabis or even opening of purchased packages
containing cannabis anywhere on the premises, including inside the business, outside the
business and in the parking lot including inside vehicles in the Yerba Wellness parking area.
Signage will also be present informing customers that opening or consuming any cannabis while
onsite including while inside their vehicle is not allowed. Yerba Wellness will also prohibit
employees from smoking cigarettes in front of our commercial cannabis business, in the parking
lot or near neighboring businesses. Any customer discovered smoking or consuming cannabis in
or around the premises will be promptly banned from Yerba Wellness. Customers will be
prohibited from opening any purchased packages while onsite at the premises including the
parking lot and will be advised to place purchased items in the trunk of their vehicle. Should any
customer be found opening a package in the parking lot, they will be reminded of this policy by a
Security Guard.
Odor Absorbing Ventilation and Exhaust System
During the construction and remodel of Yerba Wellness’ cannabis retail business site, Yerba
Wellness will install a state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system throughout the entirety of
the cannabis retail business that will ensure that any odor generated inside the premises will not
detected outside of the cannabis retail business, including anywhere on adjacent property or
public rights-of-way, on or about the exterior or interior common area walkways, hallways,
breezeways, foyers, lobby areas, or any other areas available for use by common tenants or the
visiting public, or within any other unit located inside the same building as Yerba Wellness.
Yerba Wellness will install an exhaust air filtration system with odor control that prevents
internal odors and pollen from being emitted externally. Yerba Wellness will also install an air
system that creates negative air pressure between Yerba Wellness’ interior and exterior, so that
the odors generated inside the cannabis retail business are not detectable outside the premises.
HVAC System
In addition to the state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system, Yerba Wellness will have a
charcoal filter system integrated with its HVAC system as a second layer of protection against
odors.
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HEPA Filtration
As part of Yerba Wellness’ COVID-19 safety protocol, Yerba Wellness will also use multiple
energy efficient, silent, portable HEPA air purifying filtration systems in each room that will
provide above and beyond protection against odor concerns with the added benefit of improving
air quality for customers and employee. These top of the line air purifiers filter out microns at .3
size and act as an additional enhancement to purify the air of odors as well as some bacteria,
germs, dust, mold and other pollutants. While the manufacturer recommendation is to replace
filters every three years, all HEPA filters at Yerba Wellness will be replaced quarterly.
Construction Odors
While Yerba Wellness does not anticipate any odor issues during the construction and
remodeling process as no cannabis will be on-site, Yerba Wellness will direct its contractor to
proactively work to eliminate any construction related odors.
3.4 Potential Sources of Odor
3.4 Identify potential sources of odor.
The most significant potential source of odor would be customers smoking cannabis outside the
premises or in the parking lot. Yerba Wellness will strictly prohibit the smoking or consumption
of cannabis anywhere inside or outside the premises and the parking lot. Yerba Wellness will
immediately ban any customer who violates this prohibition. Yerba Wellness will also prohibit
employees from smoking cigarettes in front of our commercial cannabis business, in the parking
lot or near neighboring businesses.
In accordance with California law, Yerba Wellness will render cannabis flower and extract
products unusable and unrecognizable before disposing of them as waste under Division 30 of
the Public Resources Code, Public Resources Code section 40192 and section 5054 of the
Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations. Yerba Wellness will comply with these regulations via
the use of a compost tumbler in the secure, limited access back office area of the premises. Due
to the required opening of packaging and destruction of some cannabis products prior to
disposal, Yerba Wellness will use additional HEPA filtration in conjunction with its state of the
art HVAC system and odor absorbing ventilation and exhaust system in the back office waste
area, to mitigate any potential odor.
Other potential sources of odor include slight odor that may emanate from packaged cannabis
products. In Owner Daniel Sosa’s experience operating a cannabis retail business in Los Angeles
for over thirteen years, this odor is rarely noticeable and is eliminated by an odor absorbing
ventilation and exhaust system and an HVAC system with a charcoal filter. Occasionally, in the
case of a product complaint or return, a customer will bring in a package of cannabis that has
already been opened. Yerba Wellness’ state of the art odor absorbing ventilation and exhaust
system and an HVAC system with a charcoal filter will ensure that no odor pollution occurs into
the surrounding area.
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3.5 Odor Control Devices and Techniques
3.5 Describe odor control devices and techniques employed to ensure that odors from
cannabis are not detectable beyond the permitted premises.
Yerba Wellness will implement a state of the art odor absorbing filtration and exhaust system in
addition to a newly updated HVAC system using additional charcoal filtration for enhanced odor
protection. HEPA filters and drought tolerant foliage will also be used across the facility to
further improve air quality.
Odor Absorbing Ventilation and Exhaust System
During the construction and remodel of Yerba Wellness’ cannabis retail business site, Yerba
Wellness will install a state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system throughout the entirety of
cannabis retail business that will ensure that any odor generated inside the premises will not
detected outside of the cannabis retail business, including anywhere on adjacent property or
public rights-of-way, on or about the exterior or interior common area walkways, hallways,
breezeways, foyers, lobby areas, or any other areas available for use by common tenants or the
visiting public, or within any other unit located inside the same building as Yerba Wellness.
Yerba Wellness will install an exhaust air filtration system with odor control that prevents
internal odors and pollen from being emitted externally. Yerba Wellness will also install an air
system that creates negative air pressure between Yerba Wellness’ interior and exterior, so that
the odors generated inside Yerba Wellness are not detectable outside the premises.
HVAC System
In addition to the state-of-the-art ventilation and exhaust system, Yerba Wellness will have a
charcoal filter system integrated with Yerba Wellness’ HVAC system as a second layer of
protection against odors.
HEPA Filtration
As part of Yerba Wellness’ COVID-19 safety protocol, Yerba Wellness will also use multiple
energy efficient, silent, portable HEPA air purifying filtration systems in each room that will
provide above and beyond protection against odor concerns with the added benefit of improving
air quality for customers and employee. These top of the line air purifiers filter out microns at .3
size and act as an additional enhancement to purify the air of odors as well as some bacteria,
germs, dust, mold and other pollutants. While the manufacturer recommendation is to replace
filters every three years, all HEPA filters at Yerba Wellness will be replaced quarterly.
Construction Odors:
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While Yerba Wellness does not anticipate any odor issues during the construction and
remodeling process as no cannabis will be on-site, Yerba Wellness will direct its contractor to
proactively work to eliminate any construction related odors.
3.6 Employee Odor Training and System Maintenance
3.6 Describe all proposed employee odor training and system maintenance.
Yerba Wellness is proud to offer a robust training program that encompasses all aspects of
running a successful, courteous and compliant licensed retail cannabis business. This training
addresses odor sources and mitigation efforts as well as details relevant systems maintenance.
Employee Odor Training
As retail cannabis businesses typically do not emit any odor other than that required by law
related to waste destruction and removal, primary potential causes of odor pollution would be
onsite consumption or opening of cannabis products, including in the parking area or areas
surrounding the premises. Yerba Wellness will implement a strict policy against the opening of
cannabis product packages or consumption of any cannabis onsite or in the adjoining areas of the
licensed premises. Employees will be trained on this policy and will be trained to inform
customers of this policy upon the customers’ initial visit to the premises. Customers will be
politely informed of this policy verbally as well as via prominent signage on the interior and
exterior of the premises, informing the public that onsite consumption or opening of cannabis is
prohibited. This policy will also apply anyone accompanying customers in their vehicles when
they visit the premises as well as employees. Additionally, employee consumption of cannabis
while working, before work or during breaks will be strictly prohibited.
No Smoking Policy:
Employees will be thoroughly trained on Yerba Wellness’s no smoking policy, and will receive
extensive training about Yerba Wellness’ zero tolerance policy for cannabis use on or near the
premises. Employees will be informed verbally and in writing that they are prohibited from using
any cannabis products while working at Yerba Wellness, including during break periods, before
commencing work, or at the end of their shifts before they exit the parking area. Yerba Wellness
will also prohibit employees from smoking cigarettes in front of our commercial cannabis
business, in the parking lot or near neighboring businesses, and discourage customers from doing
so as well, with prominent “no smoking” signage.
Training Materials & Documentation:
Employee odor training will include regulatory compliance, industry best practices and our
disciplinary policy. Employees will be provided with a copy of our Employee Handbook and
Standard Operating Procedures training manual upon commencement of their employment.
These materials will be reviewed verbally with employees by the General Manager or Training
Manager. Yerba Wellness’ Standard Operating Procedures training manual covers all applicable
local and state regulations and industry best practices, including laws prohibiting onsite
consumption. Yerba Wellness’ Employee Handbook addresses rules against employees
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consuming cannabis while onsite or before commencing work or during a shift and clearly
indicates that it is strictly prohibited, and covers our disciplinary policy. Employees will sign a
training log at the time of training, and will also sign a form indicating their understanding of and
intended cooperation with all policies and regulations. Should an employee be caught or
suspected of consuming cannabis while present at the premises or emitting an odor of cannabis,
an investigation will occur and subsequent disciplinary action taken.
Disciplinary Action:
Employees Odor Training will include training on disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may
include, in order of severity: counseling, warnings, write ups, suspensions, and termination. As
Yerba Wellness takes the City of Fresno’s prohibition against onsite consumption of cannabis
and Yerba Wellness’ own policy against use of cannabis while on shift seriously, once an initial
warning is given, serious disciplinary action for violators of this policy may be taken. Write ups
are included as part of an employee’s official records and are considered in employee reviews.
Three or more write ups in a ninety day period may be cause for suspension or termination of
employment, however, depending on the severity of the offense, Yerba Wellness reserves the
right to terminate employment anytime as an at-will employer to protect the integrity of Yerba
Wellness’ retail cannabis business, and Yerba Wellness’ good standing with regards to licensure.
Odor Complaint Training:
Employees will be trained that odor complaints may be made in person, over the phone, digitally,
or in writing. Complaints may be made anonymously via Yerba Wellness’ suggestion box or
general email address. Employees will be trained on how to accept and handle complaints
regarding odor and other concerns by the public, customers or other employees. This training
will include verbal and written training and resources regarding positive, healthy communication
styles including active listening so that anyone complaining in person will feel heard and
respected for their feedback and confident in our ability to take corrective action. Employees will
be trained to inform the General Manager verbally and in electronic written format of any
complaints, and trained on preparation of complaint forms.
Complaint Forms:
A complaint form will be provided for use by all employees. Information documented on the
complaint form will include the name of the person making the complaint and their contact
information if they choose to provide it, the nature of the complaint, the date and time the
offending behavior or odor was noticed, the names of any persons involved, if known, the date
and time of the complaint, and the name, employee number and signature of the employee
receiving the complaint. The General Manager will review any complaint forms, investigate the
source or cause of the complaint and determine a plan of correction, if needed. Investigative
actions may include interviewing witnesses if any, and reviewing security video surveillance
footage if needed. If evidence is found of a serious policy violation such as consumption of
cannabis onsite, the General Manager will immediately inform the Owners. A written log will be
kept of all odor complaints and subsequent corrective actions taken, as well as outcomes.
Customer Policy Violations:
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Yerba Wellness will train its Managers, employees and Security Guards on how to handle
customers who smoke or consume cannabis on the premises or in the parking lot. Employees and
Managers will be trained to immediately inform the Security Guards of onsite opening or
consuming of cannabis rather than confronting individuals themselves. The Security Guards will
immediately inform offenders of this zero tolerance policy, educating them about the rules
prohibiting onsite consumption of cannabis. After an initial warning and education regarding this
regulation, if an offender continues to violate this policy, he or she will be banned from the
premises. Security Guards will be trained in de-escalation so that customers will be banned from
the cannabis retail business in a peaceful manner. A log will be kept of all incidents and
individuals who have been banned and a note will be placed in the customer’s electronic record.
Systems Maintenance
The General Manager will ensure that all filtration systems and odor mitigation implementations
are maintained quarterly, with required maintenance provided by a locally contracted business.
The General Manager will ensure that all air filters are frequently replaced, and that any system
failures and subsequent repairs as well as routine inspections and maintenance are documented in
Yerba Wellness’ Facilities Maintenance log. A digital, shared calendar will be kept to ensure that
all systems maintenance is scheduled and occurs in a timely fashion, including routine systems
maintenance checks on all HVAC, air filtration and HEPA systems.
3.7 Waste Management
3.7 Describe the waste management plan.
Yerba Wellness is committed to full compliance with all local and State laws and regulations
regarding cannabis waste management. As a cannabis retail business, Yerba Wellness will not
generate hazardous waste. All waste will be stored in a secure, limited access area of the
premises until properly disposed of according to local and state regulations and Yerba Wellness’
Standard Operating Procedures.
Cannabis Waste Procedures
Types of cannabis waste that can be generated from a cannabis retail business include display
goods that are removed from display use, returned and/or recalled cannabis products, expired or
compromised cannabis product inventory, and noncompliant cannabis products that may enter
the premises through vendors. Staff will be trained on all aspects of cannabis waste management
and the General Manager will ensure full compliance with company policies and procedures and
all applicable laws.
Cannabis Waste Management:
In compliance with State laws, all cannabis waste will be securely stored in a separate, controlled
access area clearly labelled as “waste” in a locked receptacle. Waste will be removed from its
packaging, and rendered unrecognizable and unusable by use of a compost tumbler. Solid waste
such as vaporizer cartridges which can not be rendered unusable or unrecognizable will be stored
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in a locked container in the secure waste management area of the back office separate and away
from non-waste cannabis products and hauled to a locally permitted waste management facility.
Waste will be removed from the premises on a regular, as needed basis by a locally permitted
waste management company or shall be self hauled to a local solid waste facility for disposal.
Any packaging which can be recycled will be recycled whilst maintaining full compliance. All
composting, removal of packaging, disposal of cannabis waste into the locked receptacle, and
movement of waste will occur under video surveillance. Entries will be made into our track and
trace system documenting the movement of a cannabis item into a waste receptacle or compost
tumbler.
Secure Limited Access Waste Storage:
All cannabis waste will immediately be taken to the appropriate secure, controlled access area
onsite where it will be kept in a secured waste receptacle until it is rendered unusable and
unrecognizable by use of the compost tumbler, and/or disposed of by a locally permitted solid
waste facility. Any third party hauler personnel will be informed of Yerba Wellness’ waste
management protocol as part of the service agreement and held accountable for following all
protocols.
Waste Management Training:
All employees involved in waste management will be fully trained as to the waste management
protocols and will be provided with reference materials which include waste management
procedures. Employees will be educated on all applicable waste management laws including,
but not limited to, Division 30 of the California Public Resources Code.
Protocols:
1.Cannabis waste shall be disposed of only in a designated secured area on the premises.
2.“Secured area” means that physical access to the area is restricted to the licensee and its
employees and the local agency, or a contracted waste hauler.
3.This secured area will be locked and off limits to non-authorized employees, and will be
monitored by video surveillance and recording per state and local regulations.
4.Any access to the facility by a third party hauler will be documented in our Visitors Log.
5.Third party hauling personnel will be required to wear a visitors badge while in the
facility, and will be supervised by security or management at all times.
Waste Hauling Protocol:
1.Yerba Wellness will either self-haul waste to a locally permitted disposal facility, or
contract with the Solid Waste Management Division of the City of Fresno for transport
and disposal of cannabis waste.
2.All cannabis waste must be removed from its packaging and rendered unrecognizable and
unusable prior to transport using a compost tumbler. Only cannabis flowers and extracts
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may be used in a compost tumbler. Glass packaging that contained cannabis will not be
disposed of in Yerba Wellness’s trash or recycling but rather will be stored for waste
removal.
3.For manufactured cannabis goods such as edibles and cartridges, products must be
removed from exterior packaging and placed in a secure waste management receptacle,
for periodic removal and disposal by a Solid Waste Management Division facility.
4.Should Yerba Wellness contract with Solid Waste Management Division for waste
removal services, accurate and comprehensive records shall be kept regarding cannabis
waste that account for, reconcile, and evidence all activity related to the generation or
disposal of cannabis waste, including a certified weight ticket or receipt and
documentation from the third party indicating the date and time of waste removal and
receipt at the solid waste facility.
Cannabis Waste Track and Trace Reporting:
In compliance with State and local laws, Yerba Wellness will keep accurate and comprehensive
records regarding cannabis waste that account for, reconcile, and evidence all activity related to
the generation or disposal of cannabis waste. If cannabis goods are being destroyed or disposed
of, the following information will be recorded in the METRC track and trace system:
1.The name of the employee performing the destruction or disposal.
2.The reason for destruction or disposal.
3.The name of the entity being used to collect and process cannabis waste.
4.Description of any adjustments made in the track and trace system, including, but not
limited to, spoilage or fouling of the cannabis goods.
5.Any event resulting in exposure or compromise of the cannabis goods.
6.Any other adjustments.
Documentation of Cannabis Waste Disposal:
In compliance with State and local laws, Yerba Wellness will keep accurate and comprehensive
records regarding cannabis waste that account for, reconcile, and evidence all activity related to
the generation or disposal of cannabis waste. If cannabis goods are being destroyed or disposed
of, the following information will be recorded manually as part of our official records:
1.How the cannabis waste was disposed of: self-hauling or compost.
2.Cannabis waste weight and identifying information.
3.A certified weight ticket or receipt documenting delivery will be obtained from the waste
hauler if a third party waste transporter is used and kept as part of our official records.
4.If waste is hauled by a third party, documentation from the waste hauler, indicating the
date and time the waste was removed from the premises will be collected and maintained
for each third party waste removal and kept as part of our official records.
For each cannabis waste self-hauling delivery, records shall be kept of the following:
1.Cannabis waste delivery date and time.
2.Cannabis waste weight and identifying information.
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3.Name of employee transporting the self-hauled cannabis waste delivery.
4.Time of departure from licensed premises and arrival at the solid waste facility.
5.Vehicle used to transport waste delivery.
6.A copy of the certified weight ticket or receipt from the solid waste facility, prepared by a
representative(s) of the solid waste facility receiving the self-hauled cannabis waste.
Cannabis Waste Composting:
Composting is an important act of environmental consciousness and a mindful way to safely and
lawfully dispose of cannabis waste. Yerba Wellness is committed to minimizing the ecological
footprint of its participation in the cannabis industry through the use of compost tumblers.
Compost tumblers are used to render cannabis waste unrecognizable and unusable, in
compliance with State and laws, prior to disposal at a licensed waste facility.
Cannabis Composting Procedures:
1.All access to cannabis waste shall be limited only to authorized employees.
2.Cannabis waste shall be composted on-site using compost tumblers in a designated
composting area located in a secure access area.
3.The compost tumblers must be used only for cannabis waste.
4.The compost tumblers must be kept on a level surface at all times.
5.Gloves will be worn at all times when handling cannabis waste or using the composters.
6.The compost tumblers will be rotated weekly when they contain cannabis waste.
7.Water will be added if needed to keep the cannabis waste moist, but not soggy.
8.Any employee using the compost tumbler as part of their work responsibilities shall be
thoroughly trained on the use of the equipment.
9.Training for the use of this equipment shall be provided on an ongoing, as needed basis.
10.Managers will conduct spot checks from time to time to ensure employees are conducting
business in a legally compliant manner.
11.Should employees fail to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures, disciplinary
action will be taken, including write ups or termination.
Cannabis Waste Composting Records:
The following cannabis composting waste records will be kept onsite at all times, in a binder
specifically for cannabis waste record retention. These records will be made available to the
State or City of Fresno upon demand.
1.Cannabis composting waste date and time;
2.Cannabis waste weight and identifying information; and
3.Name of employee composting the cannabis waste.
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Waste Management Log:
The following is an example of the waste management log that Yerba Wellness will keep as part
of its official records in compliance with State and local laws. Hard copies of this log and other
required documentation will be kept for seven years as required by State law. Failure to comply
with any records retention policy is considered grounds for dismissal.
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WASTE MANAGEMENT LOG
Date Description of
Goods
UID Weight/Quantity Reason
for
Disposal
Action Performed
by
Time Signature
Section Four:
Safety Plan
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4. Safety Plan
4.1 The Safety Plan shall be prepared and/or assessed by a professional fire prevention
and suppression consultant.
Yerba Wellness’ Safety Plan was assessed by professional fire prevention and suppression
consultant Mr. Matthew S. Tarr, Fire Plans Examiner (#FP1560) of Fire Safety Solutions, LLC
located in Fresno.
Mr. Tarr earned a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology with a minor in Physical
Science in 1988. He then joined Merced Fire in August of 1989 as a Fire Inspector. Mr. Tarr
joined Bureau Veritas as a Fire Plans Examiner in 2005 and started Fire Safety Solutions, LLC in
2007l Mr. Tarr is an ICC certified Fire Inspector, Fire Plans Examiner, Building Plans Examiner,
Building Inspector, Chief Building Official, ATC20 (post-disaster relief inspection) and he holds
a California Code Credential.
4.2 Accident and Incident Reporting Procedures
4.2 Describe accident and incident reporting procedures.
Yerba Wellness’ accident and incident reporting procedures are extremely thorough and consider
all possible fire, medical, and hazardous situations. Detailed and specific procedures exist for
specific types of incidents, a non-exhaustive list of which is provided below. These procedures
are communicated to employees in orientation, during regular training sessions, and are always
readily accessible for review in the Employee Handbook. Employees will be required to verbally
report incidents to a Manager. The Managers will follow the specific procedure for the specific
type of incident. The Managers will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and
will ultimately generate an incident report which will be shared with the General Manager, the
Owners and any other relevant employees. The report will include a description of the event,
what breakdown caused it to take place, and a corrective action plan to prevent similar incidents
from taking place in the future. The Managers will execute any required follow-up procedures.
Compliance with these procedures will occur as part of the General Manager’s responsibilities.
The following types of event, injury and/or illnesses will be reported, regardless of the nature or
severity of the event:
1.Fatality
2.Critical injury/illness
3.Lost-time injury/illness
4.Illness or injury for which an employee receives/seeks medical attention
5.First aid treatment
6.Occupational disease
7.Property damage
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8.Near-miss
9.Fire
10.Earthquake
11.Environmental release
12.Explosions
13.Exposures to biological, chemical or physical agents
4.3 Evacuation Routes
There are two Emergency Fire Exits in the building.
Emergency Exit #1 normally serves as the vendor entrance and is located in the Limited Access
Back Office/Product Intake Area. It exits onto Fulton Ave.
Emergency Exit #2 is the Main Entrance/Exit to the building and is located in the
Reception/Check-in Area. It exits into the parking lot.
Emergency Exits and Emergency Evacuation Routes will be clearly marked with lighted signs
inside the premises.
Evacuation Routes from each of the eight rooms on the premises are as follows:
1.Limited Access Back Office/Secure Storage Area: Exit into the Limited Access Back
Office/Product Intake Area, and out the Emergency Exit.
2.Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake Area: Exit out the Emergency Exit.
3.Employee Break Room Area: Exit onto the Sales Floor, into the Reception/Check-in
Area, and out the Main Entrance/Exit.
4.Limited Access Video Surveillance Room: Exit onto the Sales Floor, into the
Reception/Check-in Area, and out the Main Entrance/Exit.
5.ADA Bathroom (sales floor): Exit onto the Sales Floor and out the Emergency Exit.
6.ADA Bathroom (back of house): Exit into the Limited Access Back Office/Product
Intake Area, and out the Emergency Exit.
7.Reception/Check-in Area: Exit out the Main Entrance/Exit.
8.Sales Floor:
a.Sales Floor Behind Counter: Exit into the Limited Access Back Office/Product
Intake Area, and out the Emergency Exit.
b.Sales Floor Public Area: Exit into the Reception/Check-in Area and out the Main
Entrance/Exit.
4.4 Fire Suppression Equipment Locations
4.4 Location of fire extinguishers and other fire suppression equipment.
Generally, the required spacing is at least one fire extinguisher per 3000 sq. ft. with a maximum
travel distance of 75 ft. to get to any fire extinguisher. All fire extinguishers will be mounted on a
wall in a way that they are secure, visible, and readily available. They will be mounted in such a
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way as they will not be easily moved or damaged, at a height where the handle is between 3.5
and 5 feet from the ground. The location will be classified as having “ordinary combustible
materials”, therefore Class A fire extinguishers will be required. Yerba Wellness will exceed
these requirements.
The Yerba Wellness facility will contain six fire extinguishers. Each of the five rooms in excess
of 300 sq. ft. will contain at least 1 fire extinguisher. The following is a list of where they will be
located:
List of five rooms in excess of 300 sq. ft.:
1.Reception Area/Check-in - 1 fire extinguisher on wall behind Security Desk
2.Sales Floor - 2 fire extinguishers: 1 on wall behind sales counter, one on opposite wall on
public side of sales counter
3.Employee Break Room - 1 fire extinguisher on wall
4.Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake - 1 fire extinguisher on wall
5.Limited Access Back Office/Secure Storage - 1 fire extinguisher on wall
4.5.Fire and Medical Emergency Procedures and Training
4.5 Describe procedures and training for all fire and medical emergencies.
Procedures for Emergencies
Yerba Wellness’ Emergency Action Plan (EAP) sets forth procedures for medical emergencies,
natural disasters, fire emergencies, emergency evacuations, power outages, active shooter,
workplace violence, and bomb threats. Yerba Wellness will designate employee roles and
emergency coordinators to ensure all persons are safely evacuated in the event of an emergency
evacuation, including those persons that are disabled or may need physical assistance, to the
designated assembly area. The EAP includes evacuation maps for all regions of the building.
These maps are also posted throughout the premises and include the locations of first-aid kits and
fire extinguishers.
Employee Training
Yerba Wellness’ Emergency Action Plan (EAP) sets forth procedures for medical emergencies,
natural disasters, fire emergencies, emergency evacuations, power outages, active shooter,
workplace violence, and bomb threats. All employees will be trained on the EAP during their
employee orientation and all employees will receive refresher training sessions on the EAP on an
annual basis. The EAP is taught and provided to employees in orientation, reviewed during
regular training sessions, and is always readily accessible for review in the employee break
room, reception area, retail sales area, and management back office.
The EAP designates employee roles and emergency coordinators to ensure all persons are safely
evacuated in the event of an emergency evacuation, including those persons that are disabled or
may need physical assistance, to the designated assembly area. The EAP includes evacuation
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maps for all regions of the building. These maps are also posted throughout the premises and
include the locations of first-aid kits and fire extinguishers.
First Aid and CPR Training:
The Security Manager, Security Guards and other designated employees will receive First Aid
And CPR Training every two years through a certified training program. Fire and evacuation
drills will be conducted periodically to ensure all employees know how to safely vacate the
premises and meet at the designated area. A Fire Extinguisher Training Course will also be
provided for the Security Manager, Security Guards and other designated employees. On-site
fire extinguishers will be maintained as suggested by the manufacturer and a certified fire
extinguisher technician. Incident reporting procedures will be followed as laid out in Section 4.2
of this application.
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Section Five:
Security Plan
1
Section Six:
Location
1
6. Location
6.1 Location Description
6.1 In addition to the location-related details provided in the Commercial Cannabis
Business (CCB) Application (pages 1-7), the application shall include a thorough
description of the proposed location, including but not limited to the overall property,
building, and floor plan.
Description of Property & Building
The proposed location is 514 N. Fulton St., Fresno, CA 93728, APN 452-275-12. It is a 2500 sq.
ft. storefront unit in a multi-unit storefront building. The parcel is located on the northeast corner
of N. Fulton St. and Belmont Ave. For additional reference, the property is located on the
southwest corner of a long, rectangular block situated in a north/south direction, bordered by
Belmont Ave. to the south, E. Bremer Ave. to the north, N. Van Ness Ave. to the east, and N.
Fulton St. to the west.
The building is an L-shaped, approximately 23,100 sq. ft. multi-unit building. It consists of
approximately 60% of the area of the parcel. It is located on the southern/southwestern portion
of the property. The also L-shaped parking lot exists on the remaining north/northeastern 40% of
the property.
The subject unit is one of 8 units in the building, four units which face N. Fulton St. and four
units which face E. Belmont Ave. These neighboring units include 518 & 520 N. Fulton Ave.
adjacent to the north, 510 N. Fulton Ave. adjacent to the south, and 901, 911, 913, and 915 E.
Belmont Ave. situated south and around the corner. The units in the building are only accessible
to the public from the sidewalk on Fulton Ave. and Belmont Ave. Six of the eight units have
exits in the rear into the back parking lot (with the exception of 901 and 911 E. Belmont Ave.).
The northern property boundary is a 6 ft. concrete wall. The northern portion of the eastern
boundary also features a 6 ft. wall. The western and southern boundaries are the sidewalk, and
the eastern boundary is an alley.
The driveway entrance is on the northwest corner of the parcel, from southbound traffic on
Fulton Ave. (Fulton is one-way). The driveway exit is located on the eastern edge of the parcel,
with traffic flowing out into the alley southbound and onto Belmont Ave.
Description of Floor Plan
The floor plan of the building consists of eight total rooms: five main rooms, and three ancillary
rooms.
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List of five main rooms:
1.Reception Area/Check-in
2.Sales Floor
3.Employee Break Room
4.Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake
5.Limited Access Back Office/Secure Storage
List of three ancillary rooms:
1.ADA bathroom (sales floor)
2.ADA bathroom (back of house)
3.Limited Access Video Surveillance Room
Of the eight total rooms, three rooms are Public Access.
List of Public Access Rooms:
1.Reception Area/Check-in
2.Sales Floor
3.ADA bathroom (sales floor)
Of the eight total rooms, two rooms are Restricted Access (accessible to all employees but not
the public).
List of Restricted Access rooms:
1.Employee Break Room Area
2.ADA bathroom (back of house)
Of the eight total rooms, three are Limited Access Areas which means they are only accessible
by Managers with clearance to access these rooms.
List of Limited Access Area rooms:
1.Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake Room
2.Limited Access Back Office/Secure Storage Area
3.Limited Access Video Surveillance Room
The Reception/Check-in Area is accessible by the public and employees from the main
entrance to the building. The room is approximately 350 sq. ft. The room is covered by
two different camera angles (cameras #1-2) and contains a Security Desk to the right
upon entry. A panic button is situated behind the Security Desk. This is where
customers will check-in and await access to the Sales Floor. Past the Security Desk
straight ahead is the entrance to the Sales Floor.
3
The Sales Floor is accessible via entry from the Reception/Check-in Area. It is
approximately 1200 sq. ft. The room is covered by nine different camera angles (cameras
#3-11). There is a large L-shaped sales counter to the left and straight ahead upon entry.
All the way to the left upon entry in the northwest corner of the room us is an ADA
bathroom accessible to customers and employees. Adjacent to the ADA bathroom is the
Limited Access Video Surveillance Room. Both of the two aforementioned rooms will
have interior walls built against the storefront window rendering them impenetrable from
outside. Behind the sales counter, there is a wall with three doors. Coming from around
the sales counter, the first door leads to the Employee Break Room Area. The second
door leads to the Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake Area. The third door leads
to an ADA bathroom (back of house).
The Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake Area is accessible to employees via
Sales Floor behind the Sales Counter, and accessible to vendors via the vendor entrance
from the parking lot. Access to this room also flows between the Limited Access Back
Office/Secure Storage Area. This room is approximately 300 sq. ft. It is covered by four
different camera angles (cameras #13-16). This room is where the main back office
administrative functions will take place.
The Employee Break Room Area is accessible to employees via the Sales Floor from
behind the Sales Counter. The room is approximately 150 sq. ft. It is covered by one
camera angle (camera #12). This room is where employees will store their belongings
and enjoy their breaks.
The Limited Access Back Office/Secure Storage area is accessible to Limited Access
Employees only, via the Limited Access Back Office/Product Intake Area. The room is
approximately 400 sq. ft. It is covered by two camera angles (cameras #17-18). This
room is where inventory will be securely stored in high-security bolted-down safes.
The Limited Access Video Surveillance Room is accessible to Limited Access Area
Employees only, via the western end of the Sales Floor. This room is approximately 32
sq. ft. It is covered by one camera angle (camera #19). This room is where all video
surveillance equipment will be securely stored.
6.2 Photographs
6.2. The application shall include at least one (1) photograph of the front (street side) of
the building or street view of the vacant parcel.
Please see the following page for photographs of the front (street side) of the building and street
view of the proposed location.
4
EXISTING FRONT OF BUILDING
PARKING ENTRANCE
PARKING LOT + SIDE OF BUILDING
EXISTING STREET VIEW
MAIN ENTRANCE
5
Please reference the following conceptual 3D renderings and mood boards for the proposed location.
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6.3.1 Premises Diagram
6.3. Premises (Site) Diagram for each proposed location. This diagram should show the overall
parcel and adjoining or neighboring buildings that may be affected by the commercial cannabis
business.
6.3.1. A Premise (Site) Diagram must be accurate, dimensioned and to-scale (minimum scale of
1⁄4”). The diagram shall provide a detailed description of all available/shared parking spaces,
driveway locations, and auxiliary buildings on the parcel.
Please see the page at the end of this section for a fully detailed Premises Diagram.
6.3.1 Detailed Description of Driveway and Parking
6.3.1 Detailed Description of All Available/Shared Parking Spaces, Driveway Locations
& Auxiliary Buildings on the Parcel.
The proposed location features an abundance of dedicated parking.
Description of all Available/Shared Parking Spaces:
The location shares a twenty-five space parking lot (including two handicap) with the seven
other commercial units in the building: 510, 516, & 520 N. Fulton St., and 901, 911, 913, & 915
E. Belmont Ave.
The two handicap spaces (one is existing, one is proposed) both include space for a van and are
compliant with ADA regulations. Twelve of the spaces are on the left upon entering the
driveway and abut the north side of the lot. Three spaces, including one handicap, are on the
right upon entering and abut the building. One can then continue straight and encounter four
more spaces on the right, towards Driveway Exit #1; or turn right and encounter six more spaces
on the right (including one handicap), leading toward Driveway Exit #2. The handicap spaces
include space for a van and are compliant with ADA regulations. The proposed new handicap
space leads directly to the path of travel for wheelchairs to the main entrance to the business.
Description of all Driveway Locations:
There are three driveways: one entrance and two exits. The driveway entrance is on the
northwest corner of the parcel, with traffic flowing in from southbound traffic on Fulton Ave.
(Fulton is one-way). Traffic flow in the lot travels one-way. The driveway exits are on the
eastern side of the property, and flow into an alley. Exiting traffic will flow out of the alley
toward Belmont Ave.
Description of All Auxiliary Buildings on the Parcel:
There are no auxiliary buildings on the parcel.
9
Section Seven:
Community Benefits
& Investment Plan
1
Community Benefits and Investments Plan
Introduction
As quoted in the beginning of the Yerba Wellness Business Plan, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
famously said, “Life’s most urgent and persistent question is, what are you doing for others?”.
Dr. King believed that strength came from a community working together as a whole. Yerba
Wellness will evidence this core value every single day and engage others to do the same.
7.1. Social Responsibility Plan
Social Responsibility is a core value of Yerba Wellness. Yerba Wellness strongly believes that it
has a duty to act in the best interests of the community, the environment, and society as a whole.
The very success of Yerba Wellness is connected to the economic, social and physical health of
the communities it serves, so the more it thrives, the more it can and will give back to those
communities to return the support it has received. Yerba Wellness follows the principles of
consciousness in business, as set forth in Sacred Commerce by Terces Englehart.
Corporate Social Responsibility Program
Section 3.2 describes Yerba Wellness’ commitment and plan to operate responsibly and be a
good neighbor, as well as efforts to invest directly in its employees. Yerba Wellness’ plan
addresses and will fulfill the basic checklist of actions needed to take in order to become a
thriving business; however, Yerba Wellness aims to excel beyond the established guidelines and
expectations of the city of Fresno to become a business that truly reflects the values of the
community, showcases its rich and lively assets, and serves as a pillar for a conscious economic
and social revival.
Yerba Wellness’ comprehensive Social Responsibility plan will build on successful programs
and initiatives that its management team have expertise implementing, taking into consideration
local resources and needs. The goal is to then build on those initiatives with the feedback and
ideas that Yerba Wellness’ General Manager and Community Liaison receives from its event
attendees/service recipients, employees, customers, local non-profits, community-based
organizations, civic organizations, and social service organizations.
Yerba Wellness is also currently researching partnerships with stakeholders who know and serve
the Fresno community, as it would like to support organizations that have already dedicated
invaluable effort and hard work to determining what the people of Fresno are asking for to best
serve their needs and aspirations. These efforts will be led by the Community Liaison, Mr.
Vernon Jones, native Fresnan. Mr. Jones is a co-owner of Yerba Wellness and will participate in
the management and direction of Yerba Wellness.
Please see Section 1.1 for a detailed description of Mr. Jones’ qualifications and ties to Fresno.
2
Listed below are initiatives Yerba Wellness leadership has participated in and supported in the
past, and ideas of how it hopes to bring those initiatives and experiences forward to Fresno:
1.Cooperated with elected representatives to organize and participate in
neighborhood clean up efforts. In addition to daily maintenance of storefront and
parking premises, Yerba Wellness will organize and participate in larger scale
cleanups of the surrounding neighborhood. Upon approval of this application,
Yerba Wellness will contact the District’s representatives to learn how to
participate in and support City-sponsored activities and organizations.
2.Organized the local donation of more than two tons of non-perishable food items.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected low-income communities and many
people are unemployed and struggling to buy necessities. Yerba Wellness plans to
organize and participate in drives that help meet the needs of people struggling
during the pandemic by distributing goods such as food, personal protective
equipment (ex: masks, hand sanitizers), and hygienic necessities (ex: diapers,
feminine hygiene products), based on what local organizations and the
community express are needed.
3.The Compassion Program has provided free medicine to medical cannabis
patients with terminal illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and MS. Yerba
Wellness will continue this program in Fresno, as well as offering discounts to
low-income residents, veterans, and senior citizens.
3
Compassion
Program
Social
Equity
Clean
Streets
Food & Toy
Drives
Social
Responsibility
4
Community Benefits: Yerba Wellness will magnify its capacity to provide community support
by joining and collaborating with a network of socially-conscious nonprofits and
community-based organizations. Yerba Wellness’ Community Liaison, Mr. Vernon Jones, a
retired Fresno Fire Department Fire Captain and an active Fresno community member, is
passionate about improving the quality of life for disadvantaged Fresno residents. Mr. Jones has
a long history of community involvement with organizations such as the United Black
Firefighters Association, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Fresno and the Westside Church of
God. Mr. Jones will forge strategic partnerships with organizations serving Fresno so Yerba
Wellness can maximize its benefit to the local community.
Clean Streets Volunteer Teams: Yerba Wellness will organize volunteer teams to clean and
beautify the local neighborhood through its Clean Streets initiative. Clean Streets is a community
clean up effort during which local volunteers donate their time and energy to make the
neighborhood a more beautiful place. Volunteers are provided with personal protective
equipment, trash bags, brooms and other equipment and work with local elected officials to
coordinate necessary public area maintenance and landscaping. Bonds are made while improving
their neighborhood. Yerba President Mr. Sosa has been a Clean Streets volunteer in Los Angeles
for many years and will organize similar efforts if approved for licensure in the City of Fresno.
Mentorship: Yerba Wellness’ mentorship program will focus on incubating socio-economically
disadvantaged or marginalized individuals interested in building a career in the cannabis
industry. In addition to standard training resources and materials, participants in Yerba Wellness’
mentorship program will receive individualized guidance from Yerba Wellness upper
management and executive team on a one on one and group basis and support on their career
paths, including support in starting their own cannabis or ancillary businesses. Mentees will be
provided with opportunities to shadow more experienced employees, management and officers in
their respective duties, ask questions and receive insight on a number of relevant industry topics.
This program will be administered by Yerba Wellness’ General Manager, Retail Managers and
executive team. More information and testimonials from previous mentees regarding this
program can be found in Section 2 of this application.
Paid Volunteer Day: Members of Yerba Wellness’ leadership team have served on local business
and neighborhood councils for years, in addition to collaborating with district and city councils,
police departments, and fire departments. Yerba Wellness will seek to partner with the City
governments, agencies, councils, and associations in Fresno to help increase volunteerism.
Yerba Wellness will provide employees one paid volunteer day each year to encourage its
employees to serve the surrounding neighborhood. Yerba Wellness will highlight the opportunity
to volunteer in its onboarding process and will provide employees with information about local
organizations, as well as encouraging them to volunteer with other initiatives that align with their
interests which may not be included in the provided resources. Serve Fresno and Hands On
Central California are two fantastic resources that will be included in onboarding, as they
connect individuals to a myriad of local volunteer opportunities that fit a diverse range of skill
sets and availability. By providing a Paid Volunteer Day policy and the resources connecting
employees with organizations serving the community, Yerba Wellness intends to inspire its
employees to make service an integral part of their lives and not only a one-day occurrence.
5
Monetary Donations: Yerba Wellness will provide monetary donations to organizations whose
work it supports on a periodic basis, with monetary donations increasing as Yerba Wellness
revenues are netted.
Financial Support: Yerba Wellness will contribute to local fundraising efforts, campaigns, and
charities.
In-Kind Donations: Yerba Wellness has several programs for In-Kind donations. The Yerba
Wellness Food Drive, Toy and School Supply Drives, all encourage customers to donate needed
goods to community members in need, incentivizing customers by providing a discount in
exchange for bringing in items suitable for donations. For example, 10% off the customer’s
purchase in exchange for donating two nonperishable food items. Yerba Wellness will transport
these donated items monthly to local food banks and community centers benefiting homeless
persons and others in need. Yerba Wellness will ensure that all items being donated meet any
recipient organizations’ requirements for food donations.
The Yerba Wellness Compassion Program provides completely free medical cannabis for
patients in need, and will donate thousands of dollars worth of medicine each month to low
income terminally ill patients in need.
Compassion Program: As described above and in previous sections, through Yerba Wellness’
Compassion Program, qualified participants will receive up to one hundred dollars per month
retail value of completely free cannabis. Participants may also purchase additional cannabis
purchased at a fifteen percent discount. Yerba Wellness will work with other licensed
commercial cannabis businesses to expand this program, encouraging local cannabis businesses
to help those in need. Yerba Wellness will also offer a ten percent discount to veterans, senior
citizens and other persons in need.
Community Reinvestment and Benefits Program: Yerba Wellness’ Community Reinvestment
and Benefits program will encompass a myriad of actions to accomplish its mission of providing
direct economic and philanthropic benefits to individuals and communities in need.
Organizations Yerba Wellness is interested in establishing working relationships with are:
1.Fresno’s Freedom School: An urban farming-based program in West Fresno offering
cultural, educational, and job skills programs to at-risk students in grades K-12.
2.African-American Academic Acceleration (A4), Fresno Unified School District: A
program working to close the achievement gap for African-American students in the
Unified School District.
3.Central Valley Community Foundation: Works with donors and nonprofits to advance
effective philanthropy and build stronger communities in the Central Valley.
4.Street Saints: Mentoring and programs to provide gang prevention and intervention,
youth programs, leadership training, community development, employment and training,
and resource referrals.
5.Focus Forward: Creates pathways to success for youth in the Juvenile and/or Child
Welfare systems through effective programs and services, like planned re-entry programs
and mentoring and case management.
6
6.HandsOn Central California: A volunteer center that promotes volunteering through
partnerships with Central Valley nonprofits, schools, universities, businesses, and
community benefit organizations.
7.Youth Leadership Institute: A statewide institute with a local Fresno office, Youth
Leadership Institute supports youth to build powerful social justice campaigns that
address the unique needs of both urban and rural communities.
8.Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California: Creates and supports one-to-one
mentoring relationships that help children in our community build self-confidence and
realize their potential.
9.EOC Sanctuary Youth Shelter: A 24-hour self-referral shelter for runaway, homeless,
exploited or displaced youth.
10.Poverello House: Provides meals, social services, healthcare, and temporary shelter by
working with partnering agencies to help those in need.
11.Junior League of Fresno: The Junior League of Fresno, Inc., is an organization of women
committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving
the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its
purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
Socially Responsible Day to Day Operations
Yerba Wellness’ day to day operations also involve a strong commitment to Social
Responsibility. The day to day operations of Yerba Wellness’ Social Responsibility Program
will be administered by the General Manager and/or Marketing Manager under the direction of
the executive team. Day to day components of Yerba Wellness’ Social Responsibility Program
will include action oriented commitments to mentorship, diversity and local hiring, social equity,
sustainability, philanthropy, and community reinvestment.
1.Sustainability: Yerba Wellness is proud to hold sustainability as one of its core values. Yerba
Wellness’ day to day Sustainability Program operations will include a recycling program for
glass cannabis product jars, onsite recycling receptacles in the break room and exterior of the
facility, frequent litter removal, use of only eco friendly cleaning and sanitization supplies
including hand soap, disinfectant and detergents, use of hybrid/fuel efficient vehicles for
deliveries, digital marketing rather than use of excessive printed materials, use of digital
memorandum, communications, human resources and training materials. and use of
recyclable and recycled materials and products to the fullest extent possible.
2.Diversity and Social Equity: Yerba Wellness is committed to diversity in hiring. Yerba
Wellness is a strong proponent of social equity in cannabis and supports availing
employment, mentorship, economic benefits and ownership opportunities to marginalized
individuals who have been negatively affected by cannabis prohibition. Yerba Wellness will
recruit, hire and train a diverse team of individuals as employees, with whom Yerba Wellness
may eventually partner with on future cannabis opportunities, including via supply chain
contracts, business partnerships, licensing, leadership roles, executive positions and other
progressive and lucrative opportunities. On a day to day basis, this commitment to social
equity in cannabis will inform Yerba Wellness’ hiring, purchasing and vendor selection.
7
3.Local Hiring: Yerba Wellness is excited to create jobs for Fresno residents. Yerba Wellness
is strongly committed to creating new opportunities in the growing cannabis industry for
local Fresno residents, and will ensure that these new employees are trained and mentored by
Yerba Wellness’ experienced leadership team. Yerba Wellness will frequently engage with
local community members, institutes, and organizations regarding career opportunities at its
licensed cannabis business. Yerba Wellness Managers will attend job fairs and college
recruitment events and also support local workforce programs to get unemployed Fresno
residents back to work. Fresno residents, and in particular, Fresno residents who live within a
five mile radius of the Yerba Wellness premises will be given priority in hiring. Yerba
Wellness will maintain records of all of its recruitment and hiring efforts.
7.1.1 Expungement Clinics and Outreach Services
As an organization that benefits from the legalization of cannabis in California, Yerba Wellness
is deeply committed to helping to rectify the damage that years of draconian drug laws caused to
Fresno residents. Yerba Wellness firmly believes in social equity in cannabis and will work to
promote social equity by hosting and funding expungement clinics.
Yerba Wellness aims to partner with the San Joaquin College of Law to host regular
expungement clinics in the City of Fresno. These events will advance social justice and social
equity while also focusing on connection and impact. Local Fresnans will gain a clean record and
valuable legal advice and the law students will gain experiential learning with supervising
attorneys, and the opportunity to serve their community. The short-term goal of the expungement
clinic is for community members to receive pro-bono legal services and law students to receive
practical training in expungement law, and the long-term goal is for this initiative to become an
ongoing offering the San Joaquin College of Law’s students can provide to their community,
with the support of Yerba Wellness.
As described in Section 2 of this application, Yerba Wellness will also advertise job
opportunities at expungement clinics held by the Clean Slate Program, Element 7 and other
organizations.
In addition to hosting regular expungement clinics in connection with the San Joaquin College of
Law, Yerba Wellness will also donate funds to other organizations that are hosting expungement
clinics and outreach services.
7.1.2 Environmentally Sustainable Business Model
7.1.2 Incorporating an environmentally sustainable business model including energy
efficient buildings and vehicles.
Environmentally sustainable business practices are fundamental to Yerba Wellness’ business
plan. Yerba Wellness has worked to thoughtfully incorporate environmental sustainability into
8
every step of the Yerba Wellness journey from the initial build-out and remodel of its premises,
to a customer completing a purchase and beyond.
Energy Efficient Building
Yerba Wellness will, to the fullest extent possible, use environmentally friendly materials during
its build-out and remodel of the premises including but not limited to the following:
Bamboo Flooring: Bamboo flooring is one of the most sustainable options for flooring, as it is a
grass that can grow up to three feet per day and can be harvested every three years. Yerba
Wellness is excited to use bamboo flooring, as it is both environmentally sustainable and stylish.
Low-VOC Paint: VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, referring to organic chemicals
such as formaldehyde, which can “outgas” into the air and are damaging to the environment and
people’s health. Low-VOC paints have a smaller ratio of these organic compounds. Yerba
Wellness will use only low-VOC paints in the interior and exterior of its building. Yerba
Wellness will also use low-VOC adhesives and sealants.
Recycled-content Drywall: Yerba Wellness will use drywall panels from manufacturers such as
EcoRock, which are composed of as much as eighty percent recycled materials.
FSC Wood Framing: Yerba Wellness will use wood that is FSC certified for structural framing
purposes. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification means that the wood products are
sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic
benefits.
Insulation: Yerba Wellness will use insulation made from either shredded denim or recycled
plastic, made from pellets of recycled plastics, such as milk cartons. In addition to being recycled
materials, these forms of insulation have been shown to have lower levels of off gassing than
insulation made from traditional materials. Installing new insulation will also lower energy
usage, as a well-insulated building retains air-conditioning and heat better.
ENERGY STAR Certified HVAC System: Yerba Wellness will install an ENERGY STAR
certified HVAC system that has the ability to keep different rooms of the premises at different
temperatures, so that Yerba Wellness will not be heating or cooling any area of the premises
unnecessarily. The ENERGY STAR certified HVAC system will be able to be controlled
remotely, so that Managers will be able to set different temperatures for after hours.
Low Flow Toilets: Yerba Wellness will install low flow toilets in both bathrooms on the
premises in order to lower water usage.
Motion Sensor Sinks: Yerba Wellness will install motion sensor sinks in both bathrooms on the
premises in order to lower water usage.
Interior Lighting: Yerba Wellness will install energy-efficient LED light bulbs inside the
premises. LED light bulbs use approximately eighty percent less energy, and last about
twenty-five times longer, than a traditional incandescent light bulb. Additionally, LED light
9
bulbs emit less heat than traditional light bulbs, thereby lowering the amount of air-conditioning
that Yerba Wellness will use.
Exterior Lighting: Yerba Wellness will install motion-sensing security lights around the exterior
of the premises. Motion sensing lights significantly lower electricity costs by only turning on
when motion is detected and turning off five minutes after the cessation of motion in the area.
Yerba Wellness will use energy-efficient LED lights bulbs in the exterior lights.
ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances: Yerba Wellness will only purchase and install appliances
that are ENERGY STAR certified.
Living Wall: Yerba Wellness will install a “living wall” of plants inside the sales area. The plants
in a living wall significantly improve air quality by filtering particulate matter from the air and
converting CO2 into oxygen. There have been many studies which prove that plants and the
microbes found in soil media absorb harmful VOCs and convert them into a compound which
plants use for food. Living walls also absorb sunlight, which leads to a cooler climate and less
use of air conditioning.
Sustainability in Daily Operations
Yerba Wellness will also invest in sustainability in daily operations, such as by using only hybrid
or electric vehicles for its delivery service. Other aspects of daily sustainability practices include
the following:
Cannabis Products: Yerba Wellness will prioritize purchasing cannabis products from vendors
who manufacture and package their products in an environmentally sustainable manner. Yerba
Wellness will prioritize cannabis products that are packaged in cardboard or glass, with limited
plastic use.
Delivery Vehicles: Yerba Wellness will purchase only electric or hybrid vehicles for its delivery
program, such as the Ford Transit or Ford Tourneo, both of which are zero emission vehicles.
Recycling Program: Yerba Wellness will implement a recycling program for glass jars used as
packaging for cannabis flower. Customers will receive a discount on their next purchase if they
return a used glass jar to Yerba Wellness. Owner Daniel Sosa has implemented a recycling
program at his cannabis retail business in Los Angeles with great success.
Composting: Composting is an important act of environmental consciousness and a mindful way
to safely and lawfully dispose of cannabis waste. Yerba Wellness is committed to minimizing the
ecological footprint of its participation in the cannabis industry through the use of compost
tumblers. Compost tumblers are used to render cannabis waste unrecognizable and unusable, in
compliance with State and laws, prior to disposal at a licensed waste facility
Cleaning Supplies: Yerba Wellness is committed to the health of its employees, and therefore
will mandate that only eco-friendly cleaning supplies are used in Yerba Wellness. The only
exception to this will be sanitizing sprays that will be used to sanitize all surfaces that employees
or customers may touch.
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Pest Control: Yerba Wellness will direct its contracted pest control company to use
environmentally sustainable pest control products to the fullest extent possible.
Digital Record Keeping: Yerba Wellness will keep as many records as possible in digital formats
only. This is both environmentally sustainable and also is best records keeping practice. Yerba
Wellness will direct its employees to only print out documents if necessary.
Digital Training Materials and Manuals: Yerba Wellness will present its employees with digital
copies of its training materials and manuals. Yerba Wellness will also communicate with its
employees digitally and will only send out printed communications when necessary.
7.1.3 Use of Blighted Areas
Yerba Wellness will be located at 514 North Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93720. This address is
located in District 3 in Fresno’s Tower District. The following pages provide specific
information about Yerba Wellness’ use of blighted areas.
11
According to the Restore Fresno: Fiscal Year 2016 Initiatives to Restore & Revitalize the City of
Fresno Report, 514-520 North Fulton Street is located in a blighted area of Fresno with high
concentrations of poverty.
As shown in the maps on the
left, Yerba Wellness will be
located on the border of a
designated “Poverty Area”,
meaning 20-39% of the
population experiences
poverty, and an “Extreme
Poverty Area”, meaning 40%
and greater of the population
experiences poverty.
The 2035 General Plan also
defines a “blight line” in the
City of Fresno, which is a
dividing avenue between
blighted and stable
neighborhoods. The “blight
line” was defined as
McKinley Avenue in 1984,
Ashland Avenue in the
1990s, Shaw Avenue in the
200s, and most recently as
Herndon Avenue in 2014.
The desired location for
Yerba Wellness (514-520
North Fulton Street) in
District 3 has been
consistently located under
the established “blight line”
since 1984. (Restore Fresno
Fiscal Year 2016 Initiatives
to Restore & Revitalize the
City of Fresno, p. 3,
retrieved from
12
https://www.fresno.gov/darm/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/11/RESTOREFRESNOFinalRep
ortwithABC.pdf)
Yerba Wellness will also
be located on the border of
the “Downtown Planning
Area” and an “Infill
Opportunity Zone (IOZ)”,
as seen in the image to the
left.
Yerba Wellness’
establishment will be a
positive contribution to the
City of Fresno’s 2035
General Plan’s priorities
of creating a successful
and vibrant Downtown,
attracting investment for
infill development, and
rehabilitating established
neighborhoods. Yerba
Wellness will create an
environment where the
local community can feel
safe and proud of their
neighborhood, while
experiencing greater
economic success and access to goods and services. (Restore Fresno Fiscal Year 2016 Initiatives
to Restore & Revitalize the City of Fresno, p. 2, retrieved from
https://www.fresno.gov/darm/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/11/RESTOREFRESNOFinalRep
ortwithABC.pdf).
Neighborhood Blight Reduction and Revitalization
The establishment of Yerba Wellness will directly contribute to neighborhood revitalization and
reduce blight in the following ways:
13
1.Creating a clean, safe, and up-to-code establishment: Yerba Wellness will maintain all
storefront premises and parking areas, maintain the building exterior (ex: ensure it is free
of graffiti), and pull weeds and plant native shrubbery/trees to ensure an attractive and
uplifting appearance. As described in Section 3.1 of this application, Yerba Wellness has
a comprehensive plan to maintain a clean and litter-free storefront, sidewalk, and parking
lot. Yerba Wellness will also take all reasonable steps to prevent illegal or criminal
activity on its premises, including security services and motion-sensor lighting as
described in Section 3.1 of this application. Yerba Wellness will continually work with
the City of Fresno to keep its business up-to-code and will ensure that nothing on its
premises is dilapidated, unsafe, or unsightly in condition.
2.Working with the local community to support and continue ongoing revitalization efforts:
Yerba Wellness will be active participants in maintaining the greater neighborhood in
which its is located by informing the City of Fresno about potholes, graffiti, broken street
lights, illegal dumping, and any other appearance or activity that detracts from the overall
well-being of the neighborhood. Yerba Wellness will collaborate with resident leaders
and support the work of neighborhood associations or community development
corporations. Owner Daniel Sosa has worked with the neighborhood surrounding his
cannabis retail business in Los Angeles over many years to do local street and alley
garbage clean ups and Yerba Wellness will do the same in Fresno. Yerba Wellness will
also establish relationships with other local businesses to strengthen the network of local
interests aiming to showcase the asset-rich community.
3.Incentivizing and attracting other businesses and private investors to the area: The
existence and success of Yerba Wellness’ community-minded business will demonstrate
that what was classified as an area in disrepair is actually an asset-rich community. Yerba
Wellness will infuse economic vitality into its neighborhood by providing employment at
a living wage with a full benefits package, offering goods and services where they did not
exist before, and by attracting customers from outside of the neighborhood. The presence
of Yerba Wellness’ new business will improve public safety and increase property value.
7.2 Public Health Outreach and Educational Program
7.2 Describe the Commercial Cannabis Business plan to develop a public health outreach and
educational program that outlines the risks of youth use of cannabis and that identifies
resources available to youth related to drugs and drug addiction.
Yerba Wellness will implement a two-pronged approach to educate on and disseminate
information outlining the risks of youth use of cannabis alongside identifying resources available
to youth related to drugs and drug addiction. Yerba Wellness’ efforts will be in-line with the
following Five Guiding Principles laid out in the Fresno County’s Alcohol and Other Drug
Strategic Prevention Plan; July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2020:
“The Guiding Principles for SUD Services - Prevention are to:
1.Be evidence-based, data-driven, objective, and outcome-oriented with a focus on current
trends and continuously updated data to promote environmental and systematic changes.
14
2.Build partnerships that are sustainable beyond the life of specific programs while
leveraging other prevention resources to provide a full service continuum of care.
3.Promote client, family member(s), and community-wide input, planning, outcome
evaluation, and advocacy.
4.Provide compassionate and respectful services that are culturally affirmative, sensitive to
the needs, history, beliefs, and gender of at-risk and under-served populations.
5.Connect community members with existing prevention resources to provide education
and centralized resources for Fresno County’s prevention community.”
Instore and Online Outreach and Resources
Yerba Wellness will make information directly available to its customers regarding risks of
youth cannabis use and provide resources to prevent and treat drug use and addiction when they
are in Yerba Wellness’ physical retail location and when they visit its website.
Yerba Wellness will create a prominent and attractive display at its premises showcasing
brochures and fact sheets about the risks, prevention, and treatment of youth drug use. Online,
the Yerba Wellness website will have links in the “Resource” section to national and local
campaigns and resources for cannabis and other drug use risks, prevention, and treatment. Both
instore and online materials will be targeted towards adults, as youth will not be allowed inside
the premises and will be blocked from accessing the Yerba Wellness website. Yerba Wellness’
instore resources will be available in Spanish and Spanish-speaking customers will be offered
assistance by bilingual staff should they have any questions. Online resources, especially
national campaigns, have the capacity to be provided in many more languages.
Yerba Wellness will highlight the following national and Fresno County campaigns and services,
instore and online:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
Talk. They Hear You/Hable. Ellos Escuchan Substance Use Prevention Campaign
(https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking). The goal of this campaign is to reduce underage
drinking and substance use among youths under the age of 21 by helping parents and caregivers
start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. The website
provides TV PSAs, discussion starter videos, social media links and hashtags, a mobile app, and
partner resources. The website also provides language assistance in 16 languages.
1.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Find Treatment
(https://findtreatment.gov/): Helps locate treatment options nationally, resources to pay
for treatment, and information to better understand addiction and mental health.
2.California Department of Public Health: Let’s Talk Cannabis Campaign
(LetsTalkCannabisCA.com): Shares science-based information to increase awareness
about cannabis and how it affects bodies, minds and health. The website offers resources
regarding cannabis legality, youth use, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, resources
for parents and mentors, guidelines on responsible use, a community toolkit, other helpful
resources, and links to social media and videos.
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3.California Department of Public Health: Talking with Your Child About Opioids
(https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/SACB/Pages/Opioids.aspx):
Provides information on California’s approach to the opioid epidemic, resources for
parents, education resources, prescriber information, and more.
4.Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health: Substance Use Disorder Services
(https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/behavioral-health/substance-use-disorder-servi
ces): The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Contracts Division – Substance Use
Disorder (SUD) Services is charged with the planning, development, and administration
of a countywide substance use disorder prevention and treatment system. The Contracts
Division - SUD Services’ mission is to support appropriate education, prevention, and
treatment services to reduce or eliminate alcohol and other drug (AOD) - related barriers
to ongoing health, well-being, and economic independence of individuals and families.
The website provides links and contact information for Prevention and Treatment
services and providers.
Supporting Local Substance Use, Prevention, and Treatment Organizations
The below chart is from the Fresno County’s Alcohol and Other Drug Strategic Prevention
Plan; July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2020 (Fresno County SPP FY 2016/20) and it lists effective
strategies, according to youth surveyed, for preventing substance abuse. Outreach, family
involvement, education, and activities to participate in are the top four strategies youth listed to
prevent substance abuse.
LPC Consulting Associates, Inc. (2015). Report: Fresno County’s Alcohol and Other Strategic
Prevention Plan: July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2020. County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health
Substance Use Disorder Services, Page 13. Retrieved from
https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=2257.
Yerba Wellness knows that there are already established, respected, and effective
community-based programs in Fresno that provide education and prevention services for at-risk
youth, such as Street Saints, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, and the Youth
Leadership Institute, among many others. Yerba Wellness believes the best way to magnify the
efficacy of substance abuse prevention strategies is to support local organizations who already
hold knowledge about the local community and its issues, and who already have positive rapport
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and trustworthy networks in place to support vulnerable and at-risk populations. Several
initiatives that Yerba Wellness is interested in supporting are the California Health
Collaborative’s PATH and Lock It Up programs, the Youth Leadership Institutes Social Norms
Campaign, Friday Night Live, and Club Live, and the Fresno County Office Of Education’s
Service Learning and Leadership program, which were identified based on prevention priority
areas and programs highlighted in the Fresno County SPP FY 2016/20 Report.
Consumer Resources
As described in Section 1, Yerba Wellness has new customer orientation procedures. New
customers will be oriented with a brief but thorough New Customer Orientation, with
educational resources offered particularly for medical cannabis patients and customers who are
visiting a cannabis retail business for the first time. In particular, new customers will be provided
with the option of receiving informative brochures from Americans For Safe Access
(safeaccessnow.org) about the safe and proper use of cannabis either digitally or as available, in
print. Yerba Wellness will also provide new customers the option to receive informative
brochures, digitally or as available in print, regarding public health outreach and educational
programs outlining the risks of youth use of cannabis and resources available related to youth
drug use and addiction.
7.3 Fresno Community Reinvestment Fund
7.3 Describe whether the Business plans to contribute to the Fresno Community Reinvestment
Fund, established to support local cannabis equity businesses.
Yerba Wellness will be proud to contribute to the Fresno Community Reinvestment Fund. Yerba
Wellness is deeply committed to social equity in cannabis and believes that, as a beneficiary of
legal cannabis, it has an obligation to support and promote social equity. Please see page 32 of
Section 2 of this application for testimonials from social equity partners that have been mentored
by Yerba Wellness’ owners.
Monetary Donations
Yerba Wellness will be happy to make an annual donation to the Fresno Community
Reinvestment Fund.
In Kind Donations
Yerba Wellness will donate equipment such as iPads for point of sale systems and shelves for
product placement, as well as assets including Yerba generated checklists, infographics,
purchasing formulas and compliance records templates.
Mentorship and Training
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Yerba Wellness will provide a variety of mentorship and training opportunities to social equity
business owners. Mentorship will include a "shadow" program where it will allow at least two
emerging social equity business owners to observe operations over a three month period.
Training will include several on-site training sessions in which Mr. Sosa and Ms. Wright will
train social equity business owners in various areas of operations, including procurement,
inventory management, risk management, cannabis business economics and teambuilding. This
mentorship process will also include emotional and intellectual support during challenges that
face many business owners and operators in creating and maintaining a profitable business.
Shelf Space
Yerba Wellness will dedicate twenty percent of all shelf space to products cultivated,
manufactured and/or distributed by Fresno social equity cannabis businesses. Additionally,
Yerba Wellness will give shelf space priority to cultivators, manufacturers and distributors
based in communities which either qualify as economically disadvantaged or disproportionately
affected by cannabis criminalization, with priority to local Fresno licensed cannabis businesses.
These will either be organizations identified to be part of any other city’s social equity program,
or part of a disadvantaged community as defined by the State of California’s Disadvantaged
Communities Mapping Tool. Yerba Wellness will verify participants’ long-term residency in
these communities to ensure fair and appropriate economic inclusion.
Legal Assistance
While Yerba Wellness cannot provide any legal advice to social equity business owners, it will
be happy to make a financial contribution to a fund for legal assistance for social equity business
owners. Yerba Wellness will also be happy to introduce social equity business owners to the
lawyers and law firms that Yerba Wellness uses that have robust and experienced cannabis law
practices. Yerba Wellness will be willing to share information regarding cannabis compliance,
regulations and requirements, resources and strategies when appropriate.
Financial Services Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide mentorship and training sessions on financial systems that are
available to cannabis businesses and how to navigate complex issues of taxation and banking.
Yerba Wellness will share contacts at financial institutions willing to work with licensed
cannabis businesses as well as contacts at leading accounting firms specializing in cannabis best
practices and fiduciary responsibilities.
Technical Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide mentorship and training sessions on the various software programs
utilized by retail cannabis businesses, including point of sale systems and digital marketing
programs. Yerba Wellness will mentor and train social equity business participants on the use of
Accela, the State’s cannabis application and licensing portal.
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Networking Assistance
Yerba Wellness will also utilize online state cannabis licensing databases for the City of Fresno
to identify and engage with social equity licensees. Yerba Wellness will attend workshops and
meet-and-greets hosted by organizations promoting social equity in the cannabis industry. These
networking opportunities will allow Yerba Wellness to connect and hire directly with social
equity cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and testing labs. Yerba Wellness will include
cannabis social equity businesses at its events including local hiring fairs, expungement clinics,
and other community focused events.
Educational Assistance
Yerba Wellness will provide resources, such as space and/or training materials, for various
educational workshops where social equity licensees can learn the basics about operations,
compliance, real estate and securing capital. Yerba Wellness will provide access to educational
materials prepared by its internal team of operational experts as well as those from third party
organizations specializing in providing education to employees and operators in the cannabis
industry.
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
2600 Fresno Street • Third Floor Jennifer K. Clark, AICP, Director
Fresno, California 93721-3604
(559) 621-8277 FAX (559) 498-1026
November 19, 2020 Please reply to:
Rob Holt
(559) 621-8056
Pat De Santis
De Santis Properties
Dear Applicant:
SUBJECT: ZONING INQUIRY NUMBER P20-04379 REQUESTING INFORMATION
REGARDING CANNABIS RETAIL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 514 NORTH
FULTON STREET
(APN 452-275-12)
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the allowance of new cannabis retail uses. The requested
information about cannabis retail uses was analyzed using Article 27, Chapter 15 of the Fresno
Municipal Code (FMC) of the City of Fresno. Please note, all research for this inquiry is based
on existing land development of the subject property. If there are multiple buildings on the
subject property, this research was based on the address provided in the request. This research
does not take into effect of future development unless provided in your application request. With
that, research of a proposed cannabis retail business on the subject property conveys the
following:
1. All cannabis retail businesses must be located on property zoned DTN (Downtown
Neighborhood), DTG (Downtown General), CMS (Commercial Main Street), CC
(Commercial Community), CR (Commercial Regional), CG (Commercial General), CH
(Commercial Highway), NMX (Neighborhood Mixed-Use), CMX (Corridor/Center Mixed-
Use), RMX (Regional Mixed-Use), and must meet all of the requirements for
development in these zones, including, but not limited to, parking, lighting, building
materials, etc.
The subject property is zoned CMS, which is one of the allowable zone districts for
cannabis retail businesses. Development standards of the CMS zone district are
available in Sections 15-1203, 15-1204, and 15-1205 of the FMC. The subject location
meets the zone district requirement, per Section 15-2739.B.1.a of the FMC, for a
cannabis retail business.
2. All building(s) in which a cannabis retail business is located shall be no closer than 800
feet from any property boundary containing the following: (1) A cannabis retail business;
(2) A school providing instruction for any grades pre-school through 12 (whether public,
private, or charter, including pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and K-12); (3) A day
care center licensed by the state Department of Social Services that is in existence at
the time a complete commercial cannabis business permit application is submitted; and,
(4) A youth center that is in existence at the time a complete commercial cannabis
business permit is submitted.
Zoning Inquiry P20-04379
514 North Fulton Street
Page 2
November 19, 2020
Although the subject property is located within 800 feet of a youth center (San Pablo
Family Park), the existing tenant space within the multi-tenant building, located at 514
North Fulton Street on the subject property is not located within 800 feet of the property
boundary of any of the above-mentioned uses. The subject building meets the
separation requirements, per Section 15-2739.B.1.b of the FMC, for a cannabis
retail business.
3. Prior to commencing operations, a cannabis retail business must obtain a Cannabis
Conditional Use Permit from the Planning and Development Department per Section 15-
2739.N of the FMC.
4. No more than 2 cannabis retail businesses may be located in any one Council District. If
more than 14 are ever authorized by Council (more than 2 per Council District), they
shall be dispersed evenly by Council District.
The subject property is in Council District 3. There are currently no cannabis retail
businesses located in Council District 3. This location requirement is satisfied for a
cannabis retail business.
Please review the entirety of Article 33, Chapter 9 (Cannabis Retail Business and
Commercial Cannabis), and Section 15-2739 (Adult Use and Medicinal Cannabis Retail
Business and Commercial Cannabis Business) of the FMC to understand other
requirements of cannabis retail businesses, including but not limited to, application
requirements, signage, etc.
This information was researched by the undersigned per the zoning request. The undersigned
certifies that the above information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is based
upon, or relates to, the information supplied by the requestor. The City of Fresno assumes no
liability for errors and omissions. All information was obtained from public records held by the
Planning and Development Department.
A copy of the Fresno Municipal Code may be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at
559-621-7650. The Fresno Municipal Code may also be searched on the Internet, free of
charge, by going to www.fresno.gov. If you have questions regarding this matter, please
contact me by telephone at 559-621-8056 or at Robert.Holt@fresno.gov.
Cordially,
Rob Holt, Planner III
Development Services Division
Planning and Development Department