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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSE-20-12 The Green Leaf Yard RedactedApplication Type Social Equity Criteria Applicant (Entity) Information Social Equity Cannabis Business Permit Application CSE-20-12 Submitted On: Nov 12, 2020 Applicant Juliana Ramirez In order to qualify as a social equity applicant, applicants must satisfy at least one of the following criteria: 1. Low income household and either: a. A past conviction for a cannabis crime, or b. Immediate family member with a past conviction for a cannabis crime. 2. Low income household in a zip code identified as at least 60% according to the CalEnviroScreen for five (5) consecutive year period and either: a. A past conviction for a cannabis crime, or b. Immediate family member with a past conviction for a cannabis crime. 3. Low income household and either: a. Five (5) years cumulative residency in a zip code identified as at least 70% according to the CalEnviroScreen, or b. Ten (10) years cumulative residency in a zip code identified by CalEnviroScreen. 4. Business with no less than fifty-one percent (51%) ownership by individuals who meet Criteria 1 and 2 above. 5. Cannabis social enterprise with no less than fifty-one percent (51%) ownership by individuals who meet Criteria 1 and 2 above. 6. An individual with a membership interest in a cannabis business formed as a cooperative. Do you meet the above criteria, and want to apply as a Social Equity Applicant? Yes Please state your annual income: 37412 Do you have a past cannabis conviction? No Do you claim eligibility based on a family member past cannabis conviction? No Do you represent a cannabis social enterprise? No Do you have a membership interest in a cannabis cooperative? No Application Type Proposed Location Supporting Information Applicant (Entity) Name: The Green Leaf Yard LLC DBA: -- Physical Address: 1045 F St City: Fresno State: CA Zip Code: 93706 Primary Contact Same as Above? Yes Primary Contact Name: Juliana Ramirez Primary Contact Title: Managing Member Primary Contact Phone: Primary Contact Email:HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL IN THIS APPLICATION APPLIED FOR ANY OTHER CANNABIS PERMIT IN THE CITY OF FRESNO?: No 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. Permit Type Retail (Storefront) Business Formation Documentation: Limited Liability Company Property Owner Name: Pat Proposed Location Address: 1045 F St. City: Fresno State: CA Zip Code: 93706 Property Owner Phone: -- Property Owner Email: -- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN): 467-066-02 Proposed Location Square Footage: -- List all fictitious business names the applicant is operating under including the address where each business is located: -- DocuSign Envelope ID: 8318A66B-0ADA-4FCD-8436-904B9DD431EE Pat DeSantis, Trustee Post Office Box 3377, Fresno, CA 93650 | 559-299-9836 | Date: 11/13/2020 Letter of Intent to Lease Proposed Location: 1045 F St, Fresno, CA, 93706 Please find summarized below some of the essential terms upon which Green Leaf Yard INC, a California Company, willing to enter lease negotiations with Pat DeSantis. “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 enter 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: Green Leaf Yard, INC. Use of Premises: A Cannabis Retail Store Premises Location: 1045 F St, Fresno, CA, 93706 APN # of Location: 467-066-02 Square Footage: 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: $ 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 Security Deposit: $ , payable at the time of signing Letter of Intent NON-REFUNDABLE Prepaid Rent: Equal to one month’s minimum rent and NNN charges, to be applied to the first month’s minimum rent and other charges that are due following the Rent Commencement Date. DocuSign Envelope ID: 8318A66B-0ADA-4FCD-8436-904B9DD431EE 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. Improvement Allowance: Tenant’s Construction: Tenant shall be responsible for the design and construction of its store. One Year Exit Option: N/A Assignment / Subletting: Signs and Advertising: 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: By: By: Printed Name: Pat DeSantis Title: Trustee for DeSantis Family Trust Printed Name: Juliana Ramirez Title: CEO Date: 11/21/2020 Date: 11/20/2020 Phone: Phone: Address: P O Box 3377, Fresno CA 93650 Address: Email: Email: Zoning Inquiry P20-04937 1045 F ST Page 2 December 30, 2020 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 two cannabis retail businesses may be located in any one Council District. If more than 14 are ever authorized by Council (more than two 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 559-621-8038 or at Marisela.Martinez@fresno.gov. Cordially, Marisela Martinez, Planner II Development Services Division Planning and Development Department Green Leaf Yard 1. Business Plan Owner’s Qualifications Managing and running a business that deals with the retail sale of cannabis is unlike most any other retail business. It requires an individual with numerous skills as it involves both public and private requirements that must constantly be met; Ms. Juliana Ramirez is one such individual. Her past work experiences have provided her with the operational skills needed to successfully operate a retail cannabis dispensary. For the past seven years Ms. Ramirez has worked at Spacetel, LLC, where she has risen to the rank of Operations Manager, which responsibilities include the overseeing of 125 Cricket Wireless locations in California. However, direct involvement is not just in overseeing retail operations, her contributions to the daily operation of the company also includes, purchasing, inventory control, customer service, inside and outside sales, accounting, and warehousing. At Spacetel, she had the responsibility for short/medium term planning and organization of all resources. This was not limited to simply establishing and implementing goals and objectives. She was also required to have a strong knowledge and understanding of financial information technology, as well as the ability to make reasonable and sound decisions in a high-pressured commercial driven environment Ms. Ramirez has a proven track record of developing and implementing business strategies. Just as important she has a mature approach to setbacks. She has an awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural diversity. This awareness and understanding plays a significant role in her ability of developing and managing interdisciplinary teams for multi-party projects. Key skills and competencies: • Purchasing & Inventory Control • Supply Chain Management • Analytical Ability • Entrepreneurial edge for success • Performance Management • Planning & Organizational Skills • Customer Service Driven • Excellent Interpersonal Skills • Problem Solving Techniques • Safety Manager • Strong Communicating Skills Green Leaf Yard After much reflection Ms. Ramirez concluded that she was ready to take the next step in her career to that of a business owner. She saw an opportunity to open her own business with the help from city of Fresno, by having Social Equity program that help her to have a chance to open dispensary, and she also saw the potential of this industry growth rapidly and she wants to be part of it. Ms. Ramirez takes pride in her work and the companies she has worked, with an entrepreneurial drive for success. A drive that will no doubt continue with Green Leaf Yard. Executive Career History Green Leaf Yard Budget Green Leaf Yard Proof of Capitalization * See Appendix A on the CCB Guidelines (upload separately into application’s portal) Proforma (At least 3-years of operation) Green Leaf Yard Revenue Breakdown Cash Flow Green Leaf Yard Summary: Green Leaf Yard Opening and closing procedures Hours of Operation: Sunday - Saturday (7 days a week), 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Opening Procedures - Upon first arriving at the building in the morning, employees will check for visible signs of robbery or vandalism. If something is found like a broken door lock or window, or the alarm is sounding, the employee or employees will contact police and under no circumstances will they enter the building. If no signs of damage have been detected, employees will enter the building, turn off the alarm and lock the door behind them. They will then proceed to turn on all lights and electronics. Next, they will make a visual inspection of the interior to ensure that the closing staff has properly performed all their duties. Product will be removed from its locked cabinet(s) and be put on display. A quick wipe down of the display cabinets will be made after they are restocked. The bookkeeper will go over the previous day's receipts and see that they balance out with the cash drawers and the data from the Point-of-Sales (POS) system. They will then prepare the cash drawers for the sales associates to be used for that day. An inventory check will be made to verify that the product sold the night before are no longer in inventory and have been matched with the previous day’s sales receipts generated from the POS. Staff and security will report to their stations and then the doors will be unlocked, and customers will be permitted to enter. Closing Procedures - After the final customer has left, closing reports will be generated and then the point-of-sale system will be shut down. Sales associates will count cash drawers and place the cash and receipts in a lock box. Sales associates well then take the product and place it in a locked cabinet. A visual walkthrough will be made to ensure that no one, who is not part of the staff or security, has remained in the building after closing. Basic general housekeeping is then completed and then a final walkthrough there verify then all windows and doors are locked. The alarm is armed, and all employees exit through the main entrance which is then locked behind them by security guards. Green Leaf Yard Daily Operations 1.6.1. Day-to-Day Operations There are few industries as highly regulated as the medical marijuana industry. One of the most important factors for business in this industry easy be compliant with all state regulations. A major part of this compliance falls on the shoulders how do is working for the various companies within the marijuana industry. Standard operating procedures, also known as SOPs, help create efficiencies, maintain compliance, promote transparency, and mitigate risk within the dispensary, thus helping to ensure it is, and will remain, compliant. Simply put, SOPs are detailed, written explanations of how everything should be done, or what process needs to be followed to accurately complete a task. FIFO (First In, First Out) for inventory accounting will be used in the following ways: 1. Find all products with the earliest use-by, best before, or expiration dates. 2. Shelves with the products expiring soonest facing out. 3. Newest products will be placed towards the back of the shelves. The MARIJUANA RETAIL REPORT claims as much as “90% of losses reported by dispensaries are due to employee theft.” Green Leaf Yard will use the following measures to help prevent employee theft: 1. Initial background checks. 2. Limited access to inventory stock. 3. Employee identification to enter and exit limited access areas. 4. Record staff as they enter and exit. 5. Alarms, lighting, and video surveillance. 6. Hired security to observe staff and customer behavior inconsistencies. Some other benefits of dispensary SOPs include: • Standardize process - Standardize processes so that employees know exactly what steps to take to execute tasks successfully and compliantly. • Create consistency - Standardize the workflow so that every product is handled the same, every customer receives the same experience and every budtender does their job function the same. • Streamline onboarding/training - Set clear expectations and save time in onboarding and training employees. Rather than relying on staff to pass on process knowledge, every new hire gets consistent, standardized information. Green Leaf Yard • Aid in compliance - In a heavily regulated industry, standardizing task procedures helps the company stay compliant. • Empower staff - If they know the how and why of every process in the store, they can not only do their jobs more efficiently, but can make educated decisions when necessary. • Increase efficiency – Green Leaf Yard would operate more efficiently and there would be a noticeable reduction employee errors, redundancy, fraud, and waste, thus saving you time and increasing profitability. Below are just a few areas in which SOP’s play a part in the efficient operation of the dispensary. a). Customer Check-In Procedures – Upon entering the store customers will have their idea is verified by the receptionist. After verification is complete, the customer will be directed to the to the queue of waiting customers and then directed to the sales floor when is there turn. PROCESS FOR GREETING CUSTOMERS/PATIENTS This process starts the moment a customer or patient enters Green Leaf Yard. 1. Customer enters the dispensary. 2. Receptionist verbally greets the customer within 3 seconds. a) If there is a line to check in say, “Welcome. I’ll be right with you” or “Hello. Please step in line and I’ll be with you momentarily.” b) If there is no line, the customer steps up to the Receptionist’s desk for check in. CHECK-IN PROCESS USING FLOWHUB GREET APP This process starts the moment a recreational customer and/or medical patient is ready to be checked into the dispensary. 1. Customer steps up to Receptionist desk 2. Receptionist verbally greets the customer within 3 seconds, and says, like “Welcome to Green Leaf Yard. Could I please see your ID and/or med card?” a) Recreational Customer hands receptionist their California approved identification information, like ID or passport. b) Medicinal Patient hands Receptionist their ID and medical card 3. Receptionist logs into Greet using their Flowhub username/password (if not already logged in). 4. Receptionist looks at the ID/med card to verify age and authenticity, then checks the customer in using one of three compliancy approved methods. 5. Scan the ID barcode using the Nug scanner device (recommended) or use the camera to scan the ID barcode. Green Leaf Yard a) Hold the Nug 6-8 inches away from the barcode on the bottom of the back of the ID (look for the 2d/complex barcode). b) Click one of the side buttons on the Nug sled and scan the light over the barcode. c) Listen for a beep and look to see that the customer’s information loads on the screen. d) You will either see “Welcome Back” if they are a returning customer, or “New Customer” if they are new. I. Recreational Customer name, date of birth, and Rec will automatically populate a new customer profile. II. Medicinal Patient full name, date of birth, state of residence, Med ID, and Med ID expiration are required when creating new Med profiles. III. Use “Look up customer profile” within Greet to search for an existing customer profile. IV. Tap “Look up customer profile.” Select “REC” or “MED.” Type in at least 3 characters to search for an existing customer. V. Cross reference the DOB on the customer’s ID to verify it’s the right profile. 6. Once verified, tap into the customer profile, and select “Check in as REC Customer” or “Check in as a MED Customer” to add them to the queue. a) Create a new customer profile manually. b) Tap the plus sign in the lower right corner of the screen. c) Tap “Create New Profile Manually.” I. Recreational: Make sure “REC” is selected. Enter the customer’s full legal name, state, and date of birth. II. Medical: Tap “MED,” enter the patient’s full legal name, state of residence, date of birth, Med ID, and Med ID expiration. III. Select “Save & Check In.” 7. If the customer has been flagged as a potential risk to your dispensary in the past, you will be notified on the app. 8. If the customer is new, or information has changed for a returning customer, edit their profile, and tap “Save.” 9. Add them to loyalty program by adding the customer’s phone number. 10. Add the customer to pre-set customer groups (if applicable). a) Add “Customer Sources” information (if applicable). 11. Check them in and add them to the queue. a) Recreational: Tap “Check in as Rec Customer.” b) Medical: Tap “Check in as Med Customer.” 12. Receptionist will inform the customer to take a seat in the waiting room until they are called by a Budtender. b). Location and Procedure for Receiving Deliveries During Operating Hours – When at all possible deliveries will be received at the back or secondary entrances. All deliveries our product will be received by the inventory manager who will verify the contents and log the contents into the inventory management Green Leaf Yard system. The received merchandise will then be placed in the appropriate location. Having detailed SOP for inventory intake is crucial to Green Leaf Yard. The company will have strict controls for how it manages every stage of the inventory process for cannabis products and goods. Failing to properly account for products is a compliance concern and could result in hefty fines or a revocation of Green Leaf Yard’s license. This SOP is intended to detail every step in the process from the time inventory arrives at our dispensary until it is ready to sell. This SOP, to the best of the owner’s ability, accounts for how inventory comes into the dispensary, and how to handle inventory from the back-of-house perspective, including who handles product, how it is handled, what we track, how it’s tagged/labeled, where we track it, how it’s stored, where it’s stored, who has access to stored product, how product ends up on the sales floor, and more. STEPS *Steps 1-5 MUST be done at the time of delivery *If the Inventory Lead is unable to begin steps 6+, then product must be stored in a secure location separate from another inventory. 1. Complete a 5-point manifest compliance check on all products arriving at your store, comparing the invoice to the manifest. a) Verify the products and items names/strains, quantities, compliance information, and Metrc tags. b) Verify the time window in which the product is being delivered. c) Verify the courier signature. d) Verify the license numbers are correct. e) Sign the manifest after receiving the product into Metrc. 2. Make sure all products are compliant. a) Green Leaf Yard will post regulations beside this SOP. This includes an: b) Insert CA’s MEDICAL compliance regulations for labeling and packaging. c) Insert CA’s ADULT-USE compliance regulations for labeling and packaging. 3. Follow in-store protocol for invoices [this will be detailed further upon approval of this application]. Save a copy for our records and keep a copy of the invoice and manifest to facilitate in importing the products. Receive or reject transferred packages in Metrc. Note: This step is where we will need to make sure we receive what was ordered and that it is compliant. a) When the courier/vendor arrives, receive the transporter and product into the counting room (They must sign into the visitor log and have a visitor badge before entering any secure area). Green Leaf Yard b) Make sure the counting area is secure, clear of other products, and ready to review your incoming product. c) Log in to Metrc under the correct license you’re working under, and verify the order is there to receive (Do not receive it yet!) by clicking “transfers” at the top of the page, then select the “Incoming” tab, then select the correct incoming transfer by comparing the manifest number. d) Count and check each item off the copy of the invoice. Either you or the transport driver will also need to check it off the manifest. 4. Do not count cases or boxes, verify that they hold the exact quantity and correct product that is on the manifest and invoice. Check each individual product to ensure nothing wrong is mixed in. Match the product name. 5. Ensure that flower has no mold, seeds, seed pods, or bad quality in general. a) Match the product and Metrc tag to the manifest. Note: This could be a production batch/source package instead, seen next to the Metrc tag in Metrc. b) Use the compliance regulations listed above to ensure the product is compliant. c) Double-check your work to ensure accuracy. 6. Walk the transporter out, take their visitor badge. Ensure they sign out of the visitor log. 7. Use the invoice and manifest to import the product into Flowhub 8. Print labels/barcodes and add them to every product. 9. As product is barcoded, either put it in the vault (or secure storage area) or on the sales floor, depending on product availability. 10. Products are now successfully through intake and ready to be moved to the sales floor and sold. 11. Move the product in Flowhub to the proper room or sales floor (AU or MED) BEFORE physically moving the product. 12. Using the Flowhub Stash app: a) Select which inventory item(s) to move by scanning them with the Nug. (You can also search for the product by category or room.) b) Select "All Categories" to filter by category. c) Select "All Rooms" to filter by room. d) Once you have all the items selected to move, click "Move.”. e) To change the amount of product you are moving, select "Change,” adjust the quantity to the correct amount, select “Confirm.” f) Verify the "Receiving Room" by selecting the "Room" drop-down at the top of the Nug. g) Select "Move." h) Select "Start Another Move" if you would like to move more items. i) If not using Stash, the package needs to be moved within Flowhub. j) Log into Flowhub. k) Go to” Inventory.” Green Leaf Yard l) Search by product name, package ID, or SKU. m) Select package. n) Click “Move/Transfer” o) A pop-up window will appear: I. Select the room to move to. II. Enter the quantity to move. III. Click “Save/Close. EQUIPMENT • Manifest • Invoice • Barcodes • Barcode printer • Computer • Printer/Scanner • Metrc account and login information • Flowhub account and login information • Flowhub Nug with Stash app (if applicable) DEFINITIONS • Inventory = the products that you sell in your store • Intake = the process of receiving products that you ordered in your physical store • Metrc = the State’s tracking system used in many legal states • Stash = a mobile app, on Flowhub’s mobile Nug scanner device, that allows you to scan barcodes to audit inventory, move inventory between stores or rooms, and more. c). Point-of-Sales System – Green Leaf Yard will utilize Flowhub as its point-of sale system. There will be a total of seven POS systems: two in the check-in area and five used on the sales floor the owner selected this technology as it is considered the gold standard cannabis retail management platform for legal dispensaries in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Since 2015, Flowhub has innovated how cannabis retailers manage complex compliance mandates, supply chain data, sales transactions and reporting by delivering compliance, point of sale, inventory tracking, and business intelligence data from a single, highly customizable platform. As such, Green Leaf Yard will use complementary apps and hardware to maintain continuity. These include Flowhub’s mobile app Stash and mobile Nug scanner device. Such products allow Green Leaf Yard employees the ability to be more agile, accessible, and attentive to customers. Additionally, Metrc is integrated into Green Leaf Yard’s network. It is the state’s track and trace system used in most legal cannabis markets, and helps cannabis Green Leaf Yard 3 Years estimated retail sales of flower and manufactured products based on estimated percentage. f). Delivery service procedures, number of vehicles and product security To ensure full compliance with all track and trace regulations, and further ensure the security of assets and safety of all employees, Green Leaf Yard will implement and enforce the following policies and procedures for shipping and receiving: • Product will be packaged in compliance with all regulatory requirements that identify the contents of each package. Product origin or inventory numbers, and any and all additional internal, city or state mandated tracking requirements will apply. Green Leaf Yard • Shipments will be scheduled as often as needed to ensure that the supply and demands of the operators and their clients are met and that: o The Green Leaf Yard’s policies and procedures are followed to avoid the transport of excessive amounts of product with a high total value. o Shipments are scheduled at random times and hours in order to avoid predictability that can elevate the risk of theft. o Shipments will be conducted through the use of a licensed, insured and state-authorized transport company or by Green Leaf Yard’s trained transport personnel, if allowed to do so by the city of Fresno and the state of California. o When shipments are scheduled, this information will only be provided to individuals who occupy a “need to know” position, in order to avoid risk of theft. • At the time of the shipment: o Product transportation personnel will notify The Green Leaf Yard security guard of their impending arrival 5-10 minutes prior to arrival to the location. o The Green Leaf Yard on-site security guard will then make the announcement that no employees are allowed to use their cell phones in any manner except for that of an emergency until 5 minutes after the transportation company departs the location, in order to avoid the sharing of information that might place the transport at risk. o Transport vehicle will be inspected to ensure that it is empty or contains no other items than those specified for transport or that other owner’s products are secured in lockers to guarantee compartmentalization. o Transportation team members and the vehicle will be logged onto the site as visiting vendors upon each visit. o Product to be shipped will be presented to transportation personnel by the specified employee, or The Green Leaf Yard operations personnel, for the inspection and sign-over process. o The Green Leaf Yard security guard or applicable employee will verify that the shipment paperwork, amount and manifest are in order prior to allowing transporters to leave the site. o The Green Leaf Yard security guard will check visually, or by surveillance camera, that the exterior is clear of threats prior to opening the gate and allowing the vehicle to exit. o If the electronic track and trace system is down, all entries must be done by hand and entered when the system is back up and running. The transportation company will comply with any and all regulations and requirements as set forth by the City of Fresno and State of California. The transportation company will follow any and all track and trace protocols and will operate within the full scope of the requirements of the city of Fresno. If The Green Leaf Yard is authorized to perform its own transports, these policies and Green Leaf Yard procedures will apply to those activities. The Green Leaf Yard will start with one vehicle to do the transport. Transportation personnel will: • Adhere to all aforementioned policies, procedures and/or protocols. • Follow the route designated by the Transport Manifest. In the event a deviation is incurred, the transport personnel will immediately notify The Green Leaf Yard of this occurrence and its cause and remedy. • Adhere to all company policies and procedures encompassing the transport and delivery of product/assets. • Relinquish product to clients of The Green Leaf Yard and obtain necessary signatures and confirmations with consistent professionalism, safety, and effectiveness. • Return any undelivered product (or refused product) to The Green Leaf Yard and adhere to all other predetermined arrangements relating to such occasions. Product security will be maintained as a priority, and all employees and contractors will strictly adhere to The Green Leaf Yard policies and procedures or disciplinary/removal measures will be taken. In compliance with the city of Fresno requirements, and the state of California, The Green Leaf Yard will implement the below policies and procedures in order to secure all cannabis product and ensure that none is lost or diverted to individuals who are not authorized to possess it, or person/s under the age of 18. Secured rooms will be built inside the facility with reinforced walls and ceilings to prevent entry by an intruder. These rooms will incorporate biometric access controls that prevent unauthorized entry. All product will be stored in these limited access, locked rooms that are under constant video surveillance. At the end of each day, all loose product will be inventoried and placed in the secured rooms until the next day when operations resume. Employee lockers will be provided in the office and/or reception area, outside the product storage or sales floor, and employees will be required to store all bags, containers and oversized or baggy clothing outside the marijuana product areas in order to prevent theft. Employees will submit to an inspection upon entering the site in order to prevent the entry of weapons or other prohibited items, and upon exit in order to prevent the unauthorized removal of marijuana products or other valuables. A list of items prohibited from removal will be displayed at the entrance of The Green Leaf Yard and searching area for employees to reference. Green Leaf Yard 2. Social Policy and Local Enterprise Plan Commitment to a Living Wage All employees will be paid an hourly wage that will allow for a proper standard of living and the ability to support themselves and their families. As illustrated below this will be based on family-size and the number of individuals working in the family. The Green Leaf Yard is committed to meeting all labor regulation requirements set by the State and Local government. To that end, The Green Leaf Yard will comply with Wage Order requirements, including but not limited to minimum wage requirements, overtime wage requirements, meal and rest periods, uniforms and protective equipment, and posting of the complete order at the premises. The Green Leaf Yard will also look at the living wage calculation for Fresno County that can be found in https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06019 . The Green Leaf Yard employees will be entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all work performed in excess of eight hours, up to and including a 12-hour workday. The Green Leaf Yard employees are also entitled to 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for work performed in the first eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a work week. In addition, The Green Leaf Yard will comply with California’s employee friendly labor laws, which allow an employee to earn overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate of pay once performed in excess of 40 hours in one work week. The Green Leaf Yard employees will be paid double their regular rate of pay for any work performed in excess of 12 hours in any workday and for all hours worked in excess of eight on the seventh consecutive day of work in a work week. *The Calculation above is based on 2019 living wage from MIT, the new minimum wage is $13/hour. Green Leaf Yard The Green Leaf Yard will adhere to the Labor Code, which states an employer must provide a thirty-minute lunch break to any employee who works more than five hours in one day. A second meal period of the same duration will be provided for The Green Leaf Yard employees who have worked more than ten hours in one day. The Green Leaf Yard will permit each employee to take a ten-minute rest break for each four hours of work completed. Employee Benefits In regard to employee benefits we have to look at two areas which are the benefits provided by the employer as well as the benefits of working at a dispensary. Like any company the benefits it will offer to its employees will be dependent on several factors including management level, experience, and tenure. An example of benefits that might be provided immediately or in the future are as follows: • 50% to 100% Health Insurance Plans • 100% Life Insurance Plans • 401K • Paid Vacation • Paid Sick Leave • Paid Family Leave • Child Care • Maternity Leave The benefits of working at a dispensary include not only discounts on Edibles, Concentrates, Flower, Topicals, and Ancillary Items, but also the opportunity to be among the first to try new products. This would pertain strictly to the legal use or consumption of these products. Green Leaf Yard is in no way advocating the illegal use of any product by members of its staff. Employee Education and Training Having a staff educated in the various aspects of cannabis and the cannabis industry will make for not only a better customer experience but also the likelihood other business being cannabis compliant in California. Educated and trained employees should be able to assist customers in the following ways by showing or explaining to them the following: • How Marijuana helps individuals and the power of different cannabinoids - Some of the primary benefits of cannabinoids and the symptoms that they can minimize or alleviate include: a. Pain relief: Many cannabinoids offer an analgesic effect, making marijuana popular for people who suffer from chronic pain. The Green Leaf Yard cannabinoids can be an effective way to control pain, and the pain relief comes with additional benefits, which may also improve a medical condition that causes pain. b. Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is associated with many modern medical problems, including Crohn’s disease. By reducing inflammation in the body, cannabinoids can provide medicinal effects on those conditions. c. Antibacterial: Many compounds in marijuana offer an antibacterial effect, with some working effectively on infections that are often resistant to antibiotics, such as staph infections. This offers individuals who are dealing with an infection another treatment course. Some cannabinoids also offer anti-fungal properties for additional uses. d. Sedative: Another group of people who benefit from the effects of some cannabinoids are those who have sleep issues. Some of the compounds in cannabis have a sedative effect that can help you fall asleep. Insomnia can have a major impact on life, so an effective sedative option is a huge benefit for people who have difficulty sleeping. e. Nerve and brain cell protection: Many cannabinoids show the potential for protecting nerves and brain cells. In some cases, cannabinoids may help grow new brain cells. f. Antitumor effects: Certain cannabinoids appear to slow or reduce tumor growth, a huge benefit for people facing a cancer diagnosis. This potential benefit gives cancer patients another potential tool in fighting the tumors. Another positive effect for cancer patients is help with vomiting and nausea often associated with chemotherapy. g. Antispasmodic: Marijuana is often used to treat disorders that cause convulsions or spasms, such as epilepsy. Certain cannabinoids seem to have an antispasmodic effect, which helps reduce or eliminate seizures caused by epilepsy. This can drastically improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy, especially those who have frequent seizures. Using medical marijuana can help those people live a more normal life. h. Antioxidant: Cannabis seems to have an antioxidant effect on the body, thanks to certain cannabinoids. Antioxidants help fight free radicals that can cause damage within the body. i. Reduce intraocular pressure: Glaucoma patients turn to marijuana for the reduction in intraocular pressure caused by some cannabinoids. This can have medicinal benefits for glaucoma. Green Leaf Yard j. Antidepressant: While THC can trigger anxiety or paranoia in some individuals, many other cannabinoids are known for their antidepressant qualities. Marijuana can help improve and balance your mood. For people with depression, cannabinoids may provide help for depression. • All Marijuana products that may be available and how to direct the customers to use them - all sales associates will be advised on how to use all the products sold by Green Leaf Yard. In addition, there will also be information packets customers can refer to in order to give them the correct and proper information. • How to greet customers and speak with them to understand their needs and recommend the most appropriate marijuana products and dosage to help them have a positive experience; Getting to know the customers and understanding what their needs are is the first step first in being able to provide them with the best possible service. Once it is known what the need of the customers are, the sales associate can then begin to determine what products would best suit the customers’ needs. Green Leaf Yard would like to make it clear that although the sales associate can tell the customer the various results of different dosages, the sales associate cannot and will not tell the customer the actual dose to take; however, they will point out to the customer the potential problems associated with excessive use of a specific product or products. • The main cannabinoids in cannabis (THC, CBD, CBN, etc.) and what each can do are as follows: Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol or (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for many of the effects experienced by the cannabis user. Some of the more common effects include: • Mild to moderate pain relief, relaxation, insomnia, and appetite stimulation. • THC has been demonstrated to have anti-depressant effects. • The majority of strains range from 12-21% THC with very potent and carefully prepared strains reaching even higher. • Average THC potency is about 16-17% • Recent research that suggests patients with a pre-disposition to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders should avoid high-THC cannabis. Cannabidiol or (CBD) occurs in many strains, at low levels, <1%. In rare cases, CBD can be the dominant cannabinoid, as high as 15% by weight. Popular CBD- rich strains (>4% CBD) include Sour Tsunami, Harlequin and Cannatonic. • It can provide relief for chronic pain due to muscle spasticity, convulsions, and inflammation. Offering relief for patients with MS, Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy. Green Leaf Yard • Some researchers feel it provides effective relief from anxiety- related disorders. • CBD has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth when injected into breast and brain tumors in combination with THC. Cannabinol or (CBN) is an oxidative degradation product of THC. It may result from improper storage or curing and extensive processing, such as when making concentrates. It is usually formed when THC is exposed to UV light and oxygen over time. • CBN has some psychoactive properties, about 10% of the strength of THC. • CBN is thought by researchers to enhance the dizziness and disorientation users of cannabis may experience. • It may cause feelings of grogginess and has been shown to reduce heart rate. Cannabichromene or (CBC) is a rare, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, usually found at low levels (<1%) when present. • Research conducted has shown CBC has anti-depressant effects, 10x those of CBD. • CBC has also been shown to improve the pain-relieving effects of THC. • Studies have demonstrated that CBC has sedative effects, promoting relaxation. Cannabigerol or (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It is commonly found in cannabis. CBG-acid is the precursor to both THC-acid and CBD-acid in the plant usually found at low levels (<1%) when present. • Researchers have demonstrated both pain relieving and inflammation reducing effects. • CBG reduces intraocular pressure, associated with glaucoma. • CBG has been shown to have antibiotic properties and to inhibit platelet aggregation, which slows the rate of blood clotting. How to manage the Point-of-Sale system - The point-of-sale system being used will provide the company with a significant amount of information that can be used to monitor sales and other information. It is therefore vital that this system be used properly in order to ascertain the correct information. For this reason, employees specifically, sales associates will be trained in the use of the system. • Modular Training - Modular training offers short and flexible segments of training instead of an all-day session, giving employees the ability to learn a little at a time. Green Leaf Yard Another step will be the creating a training strategy that will organize the various aspects of training all employees on the POS system will need. Forming a training strategy will not only keep the employees focused on the areas that will be reviewed but will also give a general guideline on what is expected of the employees to learn. Here are some main topics that might be discussed: • General Information: How to turn the equipment on/off, how to log in with an employee ID, and how to navigate within the POS system. • Inventory: Where to locate specific products or items within the POS system. • Payment: How to process a transaction with various types of payments such as cash, card, check, EMV, mobile wallets, and other alternative payments. • How to process refunds • Demonstrate Troubleshooting Procedure - Staff will be prepared on and taught how to handle technical issues that could arise, due to a system malfunction or human error. Green Leaf Yard knows that having uneducated employees who do not know how simple tasks such as a refund or void a payment could cause a backup within the checkout lines and ultimately lead to frustrated customers. Some important troubleshooting techniques that employees will be trained on include how to restart the POS system if it freezes up, what to do if a system crash happens, and how to void an item. The Green Leaf Yard also recognizes the value of professional development and personal growth for employees. First and foremost, employees will be trained on the policies and procedures of the company. Additionally, The Green Leaf Yard has submitted an “OSHA Commitment Letter” to the city of Fresno that after one year in business one supervisor and one employee will attend a 30-hour general industry training. The Green Leaf Yard also encourages its employees who are interested in continuing education and job specific training to research these further and get approval before signing up for the seminars or courses. As we progress through the permit application process, we are considering mutually beneficial best practices for monetary compensation and reimbursement. Even more, because we are in the business of medicinal and recreational cannabis, an industry that directly impacts the health and wellbeing of our customers, we are committed to formalizing Continuing Cannabis Education Program. After operating for a minimum of one year we intend to conduct a needs assessment focusing on three levels: organizational, occupational, and individual. We will use the following rubric to help us develop a program: 1. Needs assessment and learning objectives. This part of the framework development we will consider what kind of training is needed in our organization. Once we have determined the training needed, we can set learning objectives to measure at the end of the training. Green Leaf Yard a) Organizational assessment. Here we determine the skills, knowledge, and abilities our cannabis dispensary needs in order to meet our strategic objectives. We will consider things such as changing laws, demographics, and technology trends. Overall, we will look at how the organization as a whole can handle our weaknesses while promoting strengths. b) Occupational (task) assessment. We analyze the specific tasks, skills, knowledge, and abilities required of our employees to do the jobs necessary within our dispensaries. c) Individual assessment. An individual assessment looks at the performance of an individual employee and determines what training should be accomplished for that individual. 2. Consideration of learning styles. We will make sure that whether we teach internally, engage in using outside experts, or leverage the expertise of existing professional organizations to teach our employees that we cater to a variety of learning styles to the information is absorbed optimally. 3. Delivery mode. Similar to the previous step we need to consider: What is the best way to get our message across? Is classroom or web-based training more appropriate, or should one-on-one mentoring be used? 4. How much money can we allocate to spend on training? We will look beyond things like the cost of materials, such as the cost of time. Consideration will also be given to the costs associated with not investing in training. 5. Timelines. How long will it take to develop the training? Is there a deadline for training to be completed, and if so, what risk analysis can be used to determine the consequences of not meeting that deadline? What is the timeline consideration in terms of when people should take the training? 6. Communication. How will employees know the training is available to them? Letting people know when and where the training will take place is part of communication. 7. Measuring effectiveness. How will we know if your training worked? What ways will we use to measure this? Until then, there is already a wealth of information and experience to share among our existing employees. We are presently discussing coaching and mentoring implementation: encouraging managers to coach employees on specific skill areas where they need help, and pair employees with more experienced ones who can mentor them. The goal is to build confidence, shorten learning curves, clarify expectations, and boost employee retention rates. Green Leaf Yard Hiring Policies per Section 9 -3316 Fresno Municipal Code According to a study by The Urban Institute in the past decade, overall, the employment rates among low-income parents have risen dramatically. This is particularly true for single mothers, especially those who had previously been on welfare. However, employment rates for most groups of less-educated men have declined in this same period. Further, despite increases in employment rates, the annual earnings and income of many individuals remain quite low. Several factors appear to limit the earnings of low-income adults, including: (1) a lack of basic skills and credentials; (2) a lack of access to quality jobs that provide opportunities for advancement; (3) limited access to key work supports innovative employment approaches and programs such as childcare and transportation; and (4) severe or multiple barriers to employment, including physical or mental health problems, domestic and substance abuse, criminal history, or other crises that cause individuals to be unable to find or keep jobs. Green Leaf Yard will also focus on the hiring of veterans, as they we contribute greatly to the success of the company due to the following reasons: Natural Leadership - Military members are trained to be leaders from the day they enter service. In a variety of high-pressure situations, they were required to make decisions fast and for the benefit of their mission. Therefore, if your firm is fast-paced and high-pressure, a veteran employee would be an ideal fit. Strong Work Ethic - Laziness does not cut it in the military, so those returning won’t think twice about putting in the extra effort to get the job done. Veterans are also accustomed to working long and unconventional hours — perfect for companies that regularly deal with last-minute deadlines and quick turnaround projects. Education & Training - To make finding a career easier upon returning stateside, many veterans complete special training or education courses that focus on a specific skill set, usually technology. This additional education means employers can obtain highly knowledgeable employees without paying for training. Paid Relocation - When a new employee has to relocate for his or her job, the company is often responsible for moving expenses. Veterans who move for a job get their expenses covered by a government relocation assistance program – potentially saving the employer thousands of dollars. Tax Credits - Perhaps the biggest financial perk of hiring a veteran — aside from the profit their efficiency will bring — is the tax credit provided to employers. Green Leaf Yard Companies that hire short- or long-term unemployed veterans may receive a Returning Heroes Tax Credit, while those that employ veterans with service- related disabilities may receive a Wounded Warriors Tax Credit. Both credits can dramatically reduce the taxes paid on salaries, saving employers anywhere between and per hire. Job applicants convicted of cannabis related misdemeanors will also be considered for employment. Excluding a person convicted of a crime from consideration for a current job opening could be considered discrimination due to the Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition to these risks, Green Leaf Yard realizes that there are actually a handful of benefits to hiring felons. In fact, The National Hire Ex-Felons Campaign was literally designed to tell employers the benefits of doing so. Here are a few examples: 1. The Department of Labor offers tax breaks for companies that hire felons through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program. This tax credit can apply to you if you hire “an individual who was convicted of a felony and who is hired not more than one year after the conviction or release from prison.” 2. Many felons are on probation and have to be accountable to their Probation Officer for landing and holding onto their job. They will be grateful to you for providing them the opportunity and work hard to keep their position so as not to violate their parole. 3. When taken into consideration how many ex-felons make up the American population, many major cities are made up of more ex-felons than not. The crimes many of these individuals make are based on not knowing any better due to growing up in bad neighborhoods or poor parenting. Individuals currently unemployed are another segment of individuals who will be considered for employment. According to Deloitte, hiring the long-term unemployed can prove to be a business advantage. Rather than unqualified, the long-term unemployed are under-accessed, and evidence suggests that companies who hire long-term unemployed workers have a more reliable and loyal workforce with higher retention rates. In addition to the benefits of hiring unemployed individuals Green Leaf Yard will also benefit from hiring individuals on public assistance. the benefits would come by way of tax credits issued through The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which is a federal tax credit that the government provides to private-sector businesses for hiring individuals from nine target groups that have historically faced significant barriers to employment. Generally speaking, 1/3 of the annual Green Leaf Yard hours worked will be done so by employees categorized under the following classifications: • Annual family income below 80% AMI • Convicted for a cannabis related crime that could have been prosecuted as a misdemeanor or citation under current State law • Lived in a low to moderate income census tract in the city for a minimum of three (3) years • Veteran • Former foster home youth who was in foster care as a minor • Unemployed • Receiving public assistance. The Green Leaf Yard’s goal is to hire and retain 100% of its employees from the city of Fresno. Additionally, the dispensary will comply with Social Policy Section 9-3316 (b) (1) of the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) that was mentioned above. In short, the Code requires that cannabis dispensaries must hire individuals who are among the disparate populations listed. These individuals must be hired for a minimum one-third (1/3) of the total annual work hours performed at the business. To that end, Green Leaf Yard has conducted research on the best way to advertise employment opportunities with the dispensary. A 2017 study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that a digital divide still exists with lower income citizens. An article published in the center’s electronic newsletter states: Roughly three-in-ten adults with household incomes below a year (29%) do not own a smartphone. More than four-in-ten do not have home broadband services (44%) or a traditional computer (46%). And a majority of lower-income Americans are not tablet owners. By comparison, each of these technologies is nearly ubiquitous among adults in households earning or more a year. Because of this, Green Leaf Yard will do more than simply rely on digital advertisements on platforms including jobs@fresno.gov, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and Craig’s List. Green Leaf Yard will use a more conventional advertising approach by creating and disseminating posters and flyers advertising job opportunities with the dispensary. These materials will be distributed to: • The Fresno County Department of Social Services to advertise available positions to their social workers. In turn, the social workers will communicate this information with their clients. • City workers at the city of Fresno’s Unemployment Office in hopes of recruiting people who are out of work and looking for steady, gainful employment. Green Leaf Yard This familiarity with the city will help with a better customer experience and the ability to hire individuals that will meet the qualifications set forth in section 2.4 above. Employee Titles and Responsibilities A business is only as good as the individuals it employs. Green Leaf Yard will make every effort to ensure that it hires only those individuals committed to the success of Green Leaf Yard as well as the satisfaction of the customer. Ideal total employees to make Green Leaf Yard success will be 19 employees which includes: 1 - General Manager 5 - Sales Associates/Budtender 2 - Inventory Manager 2 - Security Guards 2 - Receptionists 1 - Compliance/Operation manager 1 - Driver 1 - Education Manager 1- Human Resources Manager 1- Bookkeeper 1 - Marketing Manager 1 - Brand Ambassador The employees and their responsibilities are as follows: General Manager - This individual will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of Green Leaf Yard. Key responsibilities: • Developing standard operating procedures for various dispensary functions, including inventory, education, and security • Managing dispensary staff, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, conducting performance evaluations, training, and education • Creating a dispensary schedule and ensuring proper staffing at all times • Partnering with the dispensary compliance officer to ensure compliance in inventory management, cash management, reporting, and regulatory protocols • Facility management, including scheduling any necessary repairs • Building and maintaining relationships with vendors • Spearheading marketing initiatives to drive dispensary sales Sales Associate/Budtender - Budtenders are, by far, the most consumer-facing role on a dispensary team. This individual will act as the in-house experts for most every customer who enters Green Leaf Yard. Green Leaf Yard Key responsibilities: • Providing service to dispensary customers, including educating consumers on various strains, products, consumption methods, and medical marijuana (when applicable) • Handling cash payments and entering transactions into dispensary POS systems • Maintaining the appearance of the retail sales floor, including merchandising, restocking inventory, and cleaning sales area • Continuing cannabis education and maintaining up-to-date product knowledge • Meeting retail sales quotas Inventory Manager - This hire will take charge of receiving, stocking, distributing, and tracking inventory. They ensure every product that comes through the doors is properly accounted for and reported. Key responsibilities: • Managing all tasks related to receiving, stocking, distributing, and reporting cannabis products, both recreational and medical marijuana (when applicable) • Reporting all necessary inventory and product information in compliance with state laws and regulations • Controlling inventory levels and ensuring adequate stock of products • Complying with all documented security procedures to safeguard inventory • Managing relationships with suppliers • Performing regular inventory audits and reconciling inventory information • Managing seed to sale tracking • Managing product returns when applicable Security Guards – These individuals will provide protection and security for staff, customers, product, and the business in general, including the property. Key responsibilities: • Ensuring the safety of staff, customers, products, and assets at all times • Monitoring security cameras to detect any potential threats or criminal activity • Regularly patrol the premises (including sales floor, reception area, and perimeter) to deter any potential threats or criminal activity • Preventing customers or other unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas • Investigating any potential threats or criminal activity and taking appropriate action Green Leaf Yard • Reporting any security issues to dispensary management when necessary • Enforcing order, safety, and security within the dispensary at all times Receptionist/Greeter – This is a key position as it is a potential customer’s first introduction to Green Leaf Yard. Key responsibilities: • Greet customers when they enter the dispensary • Checking and scanning customer IDs and ensuring all customers are of legal years of age before entering the dispensary • Answering phones and fielding calls to appropriate dispensary staff members • Tracking the daily flow of customers into the dispensary and, if applicable, entering into dispensary compliance software • Gathering customer contact information for dispensary loyalty programs and documenting medical records, if applicable Compliance/Operations Manager – This individual will ensure that Green Leaf Yard has the proper right certifications and licenses and is maintaining proper financial records to submitting inventory and seed-to-sale tracking information to the necessary authorities. Green Leaf Yard The compliance officer/operations manager is responsible for making sure the dispensary stays compliant with all local and state laws and regulations. They are also responsible for staying on top of any changes to applicable laws and adjusting dispensary policies and procedures accordingly. Key responsibilities: • Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations • Developing, implementing, and managing compliance programs across all departments, including finance, marketing, inventory, reporting, and security • Staying on top of changes in local, state, and federal laws and regulations and adjusting compliance practices accordingly • Maintaining proper licensure at the local, state, and federal level • Training all staff members on proper compliance • Regularly sourcing new technology to aid compliance measures within the dispensary • Performing regular audits to ensure all dispensary operations are fully compliant Driver – This individual will be responsible for the proper delivery or pick-up of products and/or supplies from customers or suppliers. They will often be responsible for handling large quantities of both product and cash. Green Leaf Yard Education Officer – This individual will be responsible for managing the process of educating staff and developing training materials on products, medical cannabis, consumption methods, and general cannabis knowledge. Human Resources Manager - This individual will be responsible for hiring new staff members, running background checks, facilitating trainings, maintaining HR paperwork, payroll, and managing benefit programs. Bookkeeper - This individual will be responsible for maintaining financial records for the dispensary managing AR/AP and managing financial reporting. Marketing Manager - This individual will be responsible for developing and implementing the various marketing strategies that would be used throughout the year. Brand Ambassador - This individual will be responsible for helping to build the company brand. They will work closely with the marketing manager helping to develop marketing and branding strategies, as well as helping to identify the dispensary’s target market and also its target customer demographics. Labor Agreement While the advantages of a labor union to workers are reasonably self-evident in terms of shorter workweeks, greater job security, improved working conditions, and better salaries, unions have some surprising benefits for employers as well and Green Leaf Yard will allow a bona fide labor organization to represent and meet with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under state law, and terms and conditions of employment. The Green Leaf Yard is in fact already in communication with the labor union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, UFCW 8-Golden State, and ready to submit a completed and signed agreement within 30 days after we have reached 5 or more employees, to show that we are committed in allowing our employees to be unionized. A signed agreement copy is available for review at the end of Section 2. Workforce 2.8.1. Commitment for 30% of employees to be local hires The Green Leaf Yard is committed to creating new jobs and prioritizing the hiring of local individuals - at least 30% of employees will be local hires. These new hires will be current residents of Fresno and will not have established residency after the submission of an application. Green Leaf Yard 2.8.2. Commitment to offer apprenticeships and/or continuing education As part of its commitment to the community, and the City of Fresno as a whole, Green Leaf Yard understands the importance of education. It will look to partner with area schools to provide training for students or other individuals who might be interested in a career in the field of legalized medical and adult use cannabis. Green Leaf Yard will also look to provide educational assistance to those individuals which it already employs. This may include educating this staff on your products and procedures within the industry. It will also look to provide assistance to those individuals looking to make a career change within the company. Benefits • Increased Productivity and Efficiency - This is one of the strongest reasons to invest in continuing education. It is a simple concept: the more a person becomes skilled at their job, the more work that can be done in less time. This can create a cascading effect for your organization where efficiencies gained in one area or department can inform and positively affect other business segments. This Gartner Research study asserts that for every 1 hours spent on employee training; 5 hours of productivity are saved per year. • Employee Retention - Millennials are now the largest generational group in the U.S. workforce, at about 1-in-3. A recent Gallup Research report on Millennials makes a fantastic point: Millennials are not pursuing job satisfaction — they are pursuing development. Most millennials don’t care about the bells and whistles found in many workplaces today — the Ping-Pong tables, fancy latte machines and free food that companies offer to try to create job satisfaction. Giving out toys and entitlements is a leadership mistake, and worse, it’s condescending. Purpose and development drive this generation. Showing ALL employees that we are willing to invest in them with continuing education and professional development programs is an effective way to improve employee retention, especially with the generation shift in workforce that we are experiencing. • Cross-training and Coverage - Another effective means of using training to improve your organization is through the lens of cross-training. Making sure that roles in the company have at least one "backup person" will make Green Leaf Yard much more resistant to delays in tasks and projects. Cross-training of our employees also can help employees themselves move up their career path. Acting as an "understudy" in a role in your Green Leaf Yard organization is a great way to facilitate promotions and role changes, which both make positive impacts on overall organizational morale. Job shadowing is an effective method for cross-training because it benefits both parties. Cross-training can help a trainer better understand their own role by going through the process of explaining it. The trainee may offer suggestions from outside the role that could improve effectiveness. • Reduced Costs - Besides increasing productivity, increased job proficiency through continuing education can also lead to reduced costs. This can be realized through multiple scenarios: o Reduced downtime (fewer problems) o Fewer mistakes that require redone work o Less employee turnover o Can get more work down with the same number of employees • Passion and Purpose - Fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development is a critical piece in demonstrating to our employees that we at Green Leaf Yard recognize them as people with hopes, dreams, and convictions. Per a Gallup Research report, “For millennials, work must have meaning. They want to work for organizations with a mission and a purpose.” A learning and development culture will encourage our employees to get better which will in turn make your organization better. A learning and development culture promotes growth, awareness, and an opportunity to focus on learning and developing the strengths of our employees. We will look to form a relationship with one or more of the following schools with regards to starting an apprenticeship program. • California State University-Fresno - Full-time enrollment: 18,993 • Fresno City College - Full-time enrollment: 12,994 • Fresno Pacific University - Full-time enrollment: 3,083 • Heald College-Fresno - Full-time enrollment: 2,199 • UEI College-Fresno - Full-time enrollment: 925 • San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno - Full-time enrollment: 848 Green Leaf Yard will also look to provide educational assistance to those individuals which it already employs. This may include educating this staff on your products and procedures within the industry. It will also look to provide assistance to those individuals looking to make a career change within the company. 2.8.3. Commitment to pay a living wage to its employees. As mentioned in section 2.1 Green Leaf Yard is committed to providing its employees with a fair wage that will allow them to support themselves and their Green Leaf Yard more important. Businesses avoid moving into blighted and poverty-stricken neighborhoods. Policies that deliver living wages directly address poverty and underemployment issues and create a more desirable business environment. Green Leaf Yard recognizes that providing living wage will result in less stress for their employee and in turn will make for a more productive employee does increasing the company’s probability for a strong bottom line. __________________________________________________________________________ Labor Peace Agreement Page 1 Labor Peace Agreement (“the Company") and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 8-Golden State ("the Union") hereby agree to the following terms: 1.Neutrality and Non-Disparagement. The Company agrees to take a neutral approach to unionization of workers, meaning that the Company, which also includes any managers, agents, and representatives, will neither help nor hinder the Union’s organizing effort, including making any statement or taking any action that directly or indirectly indicates or implies any opposition to workers selecting the Union as their collective bargaining representative, or directly or indirectly supporting or assisting in any way any person or group who may oppose the Union. This includes the Company refraining from making negative comments or otherwise demean by word or action the Union, Union representatives, or unionization. The Union agrees to refrain from exercising its rights to picket, handbill, boycott, work stop- page nor engage in any other economic interference against the Company's facilities or operations; however, if the Company recognizes another union as the bargaining representative of any workers, the union's obligation will automatically cease to apply to those workers' facilities or operations. 2.Bargaining Unit. The Union will notify the company of the facilities and/or operations for which the union seeks to invoke this agreement's unionization process and, in this notice, the Union will designate the bargaining unit. The Union will invoke this agreement’s unionization process for any of the Company’s employees no more than 1 (once) per Quarter. If the unit of employees to be covered by this Agreement is one in the exclusive jurisdiction of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the Parties will meet within ten days of such knowledge and modify the Agreement to comply with that law as mandated by its terms. 3.Access. The Company grants the Union and its Union representatives access onto the Company's premises during working hours to speak with bargaining unit employees for any duration during any non-working time, including meal periods and rest breaks. The Company will cooperate with the Union in making arrangements to permit these conversations to be held in areas where the employees will be able to speak to the Union representatives without monitoring by the Company. If the Company believes that the Union’s access on the premises is disrupting operations, it may discuss the issue with the Union. Green Leaf Yard Inc __________________________________________________________________________ Labor Peace Agreement Page 2 4.Meeting. At the Union’s request, the Company will conduct a meeting on a mutually agreeable date(s) and time(s) with all of the bargaining unit employees on Company time. At the meeting, the Company will tell the employees that it is neutral, does not object to their talking to and supporting the Union, and will negotiate a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Union if a majority of the bargaining unit employees designate the Union as their collective bargaining representative. Union representatives will attend the meeting and, after the Company has introduced them and left the meeting, the Union representatives will talk with the employees about the Union. The Union will request this meeting no more than once per Quarter. 5.Contact information. At the Union’s request, the Company shall furnish to the Union the names, job classifications, home addresses, cell phone numbers, home phone numbers and email addresses, if known, of the bargaining unit employees (collectively, "contact information"). The Company further agrees thereafter to provide updated worker contact information, as reasonably requested by the Union. 6.Recognition. When a majority of bargaining unit employees designates the Union as their collective bargaining representative, the Company will recognize the Union as the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit, provided that the Union may assign jurisdiction and representation rights to any of its affiliates. At ei ther party’s request, a neutral third party may confirm majority authorization. The Company and the Union will comply with all requirements necessary to obtain certification of the Union as the exclusive bargaining representative of these employees. 7.Elections. The Company waives the right under the National Labor Relations Act to file any petition with the National Labor Relations Board for any election in any bargaining unit subject to this agreement by itself or as part of a larger unit, and agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly supporting any such petition. If any election petition is filed, the Company agrees that, a t the Union’s request, the Company will enter into a full consent election agreement under Section 102.62(c) of the NLRB’s Rules an d Regulations under the terms the union determines. The Company waives the right to file any unfair labor practice charge related to or based on this agreement, the Union’s demand for recognition under this agreement, the Union’s election, or any other mat ter related thereto, and further agrees to refrain from directly or indirectly assisting with or supporting any such unfair labor practice charge. As long as the Company and the Union have complied with Arbitrator’s orders as described below. 8.Bargaining. No later than 90 days from the date of recognition (or 45 days from a request by the Un- ion to bargain a successor contract for a contract with an impending expiration date), the parties will begin good faith bargaining for a CBA covering the bargaining unit. This timeline can be extended through mutual agreement by both parties. If the Union and Company are unable to agree to a collective bargaining agreement within 120 days of commencement of negotiations, the parties agree that either the Company or the Union may require that all open provisions and issues be submitted to final and binding interest arbitration per the subsection titled herein "Arbitration." The arbitrator shall be guided by the: __________________________________________________________________________ Labor Peace Agreement Page 3 (i)Company's size, type of business, and financial ability; (ii)The employees' ability to sustain themselves, their families and dependents on the wages, hours, and benefits they earn from the Company, and the living wage for their family size and region, as indicated in the MIT Living Wage Calculator (http://livingwage.mit.edu/) 9.Arbitration. The parties agree that final and binding arbitration will be the exclusive remedy for any alleged violations of this Agreement and any dispute or claim arising from or relating to the interpretation or application of any provision of this Agreement. Unless they promptly agree on an arbitrator, the parties will proceed to expedited arbitration using the American Arbitration Association’s rules and procedures. The arbitrator is authorized to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at the arbitration hearing, and to award appropriate monetary, injunctive and declaratory relief. The parties agree not to challenge the arbitrator’s decision in court and consent to the entry of the arbitrator’s award as the order of judgment of a United States District Court, without notice. Company waives the right to challenge any aspect of this agreement before the NLRB, any other state or federal government agency, or any court. 10.Successorship, affiliated companies and subcontractors . This agreement will be binding on the parties’ successors and assigns, including all purchasers of the Company’s assets or business, and in the event of a merger. This agreement is also binding on any and all corporations, partnerships, organizations and sole proprietorships affiliated with or related to the Company’s business activities. If the Company intends to subcontract any work performed by bargaining unit employees, the Company agrees to require the subcontractor in writing, to comply with this agreement. Should the company be subject to a complete sale of the stock, the purchaser shall comply with this agreement and any labor peace agreement(s) which are applicable. Upon completion of the transfer of all of the stock, the company shall be relieved of its obligations under this agreement. 11.Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held illegal, void or invalid under any applicable law, the parties will meet and confer to amend the provision to make it legal, valid and binding, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain binding and enforceable according to their terms and the parties’ intent. 12.Term of Agreement. The term of this agreement is one (1) year from the date of this agreement. The term will renew for additional 1-year terms unless and until either party gives the other written notice no sooner than 60 days and no later than 30 days prior to the expiration. 13.Confidentiality. The Company and Union agree that all terms and conditions of this agreement are confidential and proprietary between the parties and shall not be disclosed to anyone else, except as may be necessary to effectuate this agreement, as required by law or court order, or as mutually agreed upon in writing prior to disclosure. 3. NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILTY PLAN Describe how the CCB will proactively address and respond to complaints. Being part of the community is important for any business and a dispensary is no different. If one incident would happen that jeopardizes the company’s relationship with the community that incident will be handled immediately, and every effort will be made to see that it was a similar incident will never happen again. Signage will be placed in and around the property advising customers to be respectable if there is any living or working areas around the dispensary. Daily inspections of the premises both inside and out will be made to ensure that no litter has accumulated outside the premises. There also be checks to see the new automobiles have been illegally parked or are in some way blocking traffic. Lighting used during evening operating hours will be typical of any business that operates after sundown. The issue of lighting is not expected to be a problem. However, should it in fact become an issue at some point measures will be taken to find a solution to the problem. Every effort will also be made to see that pedestrian traffic does not have a negative effect on those individuals walking past the dispensary. the check-in process will play a pivotal role in saying that there is a smooth flow of customers Green Leaf Yard and not having to wait outside. Should it be impossible to completely avoid such an incident every effort will then be made to reduce the impact on the community. This will include working with the local community to develop a reasonable solution that is acceptable to all parties involved. The Green Leaf Yard’s Company’s Community Engagement Strategy (“CES”) objectives are to establish a process by which the community, including its residents and businesses, can express themselves regarding our operations; to inform the community about marijuana and developments; and to ensure that our approach genuinely reflects the community’s needs. We will proactively complete our outreach efforts through follow-up correspondence to community stakeholders, informing them that Green Leaf Yard and its management team have received their concerns. We will then work to develop procedures and/or programs in response to the concerns raised. Responding to Complaints Any complaints that are caused by cannabis activities (odor, light, noise, litter, vehicles and pedestrian traffic) will be documented on a form or in a manner prescribed by the Store Manager. Completed forms will be forwarded to the Record Keeping Manager. The form or documentation will contain, at a minimum: 1. The date and time of complaint 2. The name of the employee reporting the problem 3. The name and contact information of the person who noticed the violation or complaint, if not an employee, if he or she chooses to disclose that information 4. The date, time, and frequency of the complaint. 5. The distance from the building that the complaint identifies. 6. The outcome of the inspection of the incident. 7. The nature and date of any corrective action that was taken in the course of the inspection Resolution A complaint is considered resolved when: 1. The Store Manager confirms that the issue has been effectively inspected and any necessary corrective actions have been taken. 2. The equipment maintenance log and complaint response documentation is complete and filed. 3. Any official enforcement action is completed or resolved to the satisfaction of the agency or department initiating the action, if applicable. Mandatory Notification The Store Manager will notify the executive staff of the company on any citation, notice, warning or other official communication alleging a nuisance activity or other violations related to the facility within 24 hours of learning of or receiving such communication. Describe how the CCB will be managed to avoid becoming a nuisance or having impacts on its neighbors and the surrounding community. Green Leaf Yard will take a proactive approach on those items’ that may have a negative impact on neighbors as well as the surrounding community. This includes training the staff on communicating with the customer the importance of proper behavior once they leave the dispensary, and how much that behavior would be greatly appreciated by Green Leaf Yard. Management will also look to be part of any civic association in the neighborhood and attend meetings to learn of any issues caused by Green Leaf Yard and how to rectify them. Management would attend such meetings to see what Green Leaf Yard can do to help the community prosper in a positive way. The Green Leaf Yard is committed to mitigating any nuisances or negative impacts that may result from the addition of our business. Because our operations are conducted within the premise, noise outside of the facility will not be an issue. We will follow a comprehensive security plan for the premises, including advanced security technologies that guard against un-permitted entry. The building will feature security cameras covering each entrance and much of the interior. The exterior of the premises will also be under surveillance, providing added security to the surrounding area. The Green Leaf Yard facility plans to be mindful of the Fresno community in terms of culture and customs, noise and visual blight, and concerns such as traffic, pollution and other interactions. Proposed Ways to Impose Positive Impacts Within the Surrounding Communities Green Leaf Yard, through its dispensary, plans on creating new jobs and prioritizing the hiring of local individuals. Our goal is two-fold as economic development will occur from new job creation as well as programs aimed at supporting other local businesses. We also intend on educating the city of Fresno and its surrounding communities on marijuana, the local and state Adult-Use Marijuana related laws and regulations, through hosting and/or attending local events and reaching out to local organizations to educate the community on the benefits of marijuana. Green Leaf Yard has devised a strategic Local Community Engagement and Outreach Strategy and shall implement it through the following: 1. General Educational Advocacy 2. Mutually Beneficial Supplemental Partnerships 3. Local Hiring 4. Working with Local Leadership 5. Coordination with Local Law Enforcement 1) General Education Advocacy The Green Leaf Yard will create public awareness for our dispensary by offering free workshops and seminars to potential customers and the general public on topics related to cannabis as well as legal and policy updates. By embedding ourselves into the fabric of the community, our dispensary will emerge as a touchstone for information related to the cannabis industry. Below is a sample of the types of educational materials The Green Leaf Yard intends on distributing: • Factsheets utilizing photographic examples with associated descriptions, charts and graphs that discuss topics pertaining to the consumption of cannabis. • Brochures explaining cannabis strains, the potential palliative benefits of those strains, and an overview of the array of cannabis products available. The dispensary’s contact information, website and direct contact email for the Community Liaison and Store Manager will also be provided. • The Community Liaison will compose an instructional guide on test dosing distinguishing by the type of cannabis to be consumed by the customer. The instructional guide will include directions on how to keep a cannabis logbook allowing the customer to generate anecdotal evidence on what type, stain and strength works best for them. Cannabis Education Educating customers on the different strains of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is extremely important so that the individual may choose a specific product that complements their lifestyle. The General Manager and Sales Representative will be responsible for ensuring that each customer receives the most accurate up-to- date information regarding the use, variety of strains, application and possible side effects of cannabis and cannabis products. This will be executed with Cannabis Education materials such as educational handouts, cannabis products, methods of administration & effects, logbook (for customer to track systems and effects) and more. The Green Leaf Yard will also create a website that will allow individuals to have access to cannabis education as well as helpful information on how to get involved with the cannabis program. We will utilize the website for educational purposes maintaining a weekly blog with the latest news regarding cannabis health, technology, updates to state and federal laws, links to noteworthy scientific articles, and customer testimonials. The website will include a designated portal where members of the community are encouraged to leave feedback and ask questions. The main purpose of the “listening corner” is to listen and find new ways for The Green Leaf Yard to engage with the community. We will be able to post real time responses to queries and encourage an open dialogue between all participants on the website. 2) Mutually Beneficial Supplemental Partnerships An important element of The Green Leaf Yard’s community-centered approach is the assistance the dispensary will offer to customers in finding services to handle other aspects of their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Acting as a facilitator, we will build strategic partnerships with ancillary local business owners and organizations to help improve the quality of life for our customers. A key component of this outreach initiative will be educating our partners on the palliative benefits and legal limitations of cannabis. The Green Leaf Yard’s CES encompasses non-cannabis businesses to enhance a customer’s overall wellness and lifestyle. We will encourage local ancillary businesses to leave informational materials and flyers about our products and/or services, which we will showcase at the dispensary. The Green Leaf Yard will also host days where local vendors can come and demonstrate lifestyle related services such as the following: • Nutrition • Yoga Studios • Local Arts Events/Projects • Massage • Local Food This type of strategic collaboration with non-cannabis providers will ensure The Green Leaf Yard offers a unique resource marketplace in order to fulfill our community-centered mission of helping individuals improve or enhance their quality of life. LOCAL HIRING We are committed to making The Green Leaf Yard a source of economic stimulus for the city and county as a whole. From initial build-out of the facility to the implementation of our community development initiatives, we intend to contract, buy, and hire locally, taking advantage of local recruitment resources to offer employment. We will advertise available positions by coordinating through the community organizations we will support. We believe that initial day-to-day operations will add approximately eight full- time employment opportunities in the city’s economy. The dispensary will contribute directly to the revitalization of its immediate neighborhood by funneling an influx of visitors from in and around the vicinity of the facility bringing incremental business to shops, restaurants, and other services in the area. To fulfill our goal to support local businesses, we will focus at every opportunity to reach out to the local hiring organizations/companies for employment both as employees but also in the contracting of projects throughout the process. We will work closely with local, regional and statewide agencies for guidance on how to best serve this community. We will utilize ongoing outreach including supporting local and regional job fairs to build our staffing plan to be representative of the community we serve. WORKING WITH LOCAL LEADERSHIP Applicant intends to develop and maintain relationships with local leadership in order to ensure we are supporting the community through the development of our dispensary in a matter the community needs. COORDINATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT The Green Leaf Yard’s Management will participate in an ongoing dialogue with local law enforcement to ensure that there are no instances of concern and to develop an anti-abuse campaign. Local police and fire personnel will be invited to the facilities for regular updates and tours to ensure our facility is not vulnerable to break-ins and community residents are secure. The facility will perform regular outreach to community watch groups to apprise them of activities taking place at The Green Leaf Yard to address any questions or concerns they may have about keeping cannabis safe and properly stored and out of the hands of children. We will also work with local law enforcement to host a “take-back day” and set up a drug box drop-off station to provide residents with a safe place to properly dispose of expired or cannabis or unneeded prescription drugs. Programs such as these are important for the community as a whole; to prevent prescription drugs from winding up in the community’s drinking water or in the hands of children or other unintended users. Describe odor mitigation practices Green Leaf Yard will take the following measures and practices in relation to odor mitigation. 1. Odor Emission Information a. Floor Plan – A detailed floor plan indicating what activities are taking place at a given location. b. Specific Odor Causing Activities – Listing of potential activities that might be contributing to the problem. c. Phases of Odor Causing Activities - How long does it last, does it occur at specific times or on specific days. 2. Odor Mitigation Practices a. Administrative Controls i. Procedural activities: Building management responsibilities (e.g., isolating odor-emitting activities from other areas of the buildings through closing doors and windows). ii. Staff training procedures: The in-person training of staff, including the importance of closing doors and windows and ensuring exhaust and filtration systems are running as required. iii. Recordkeeping Systems and Forms: A description of the records that will be maintained such as records of purchases of replacement carbon filters, performed maintenance tracking, documentation, and notification of malfunctions, scheduled and performed training sessions, and monitoring of administrative and engineering controls. b. Engineering Controls i. See to it that engineering controls are sufficient to effectively mitigate odors for all odor sources. ii. Controls are consistent with accepted and available industry- specific best control technologies designed to effectively mitigate odors for all odor sources. iii. Controls have been reviewed and certified by a Professional Engineer or Certified Industrial Hygienist as sufficient to effectively mitigate odors for all odor sources. iv. Controls have been implemented effectively mitigate odors for all odor sources. In addition to that, The Green Leaf Yard will take extreme measures to eliminate all odor emitting from the facility during operations. The multiple layers of odor control that the dispensary will install will be more than sufficient to mitigate all odors produced. These include, redundant carbon filtration located throughout the facility, odor ionization technology and employee standard operating procedures. We will take active measures to eliminate any cannabis odor that may possibly emanate from the Facility to mitigate disturbances to local businesses and residents. There are several industry best-practices that we will install into our Facility to ensure that the air poses zero health risks to any employee or visitor, or the surrounding businesses. The following pages describe our hardware and systems, procedural activities, staff training processes and how we will keep records of all aspects of our odor control policy. Polarized Filters with Activated Carbon Inserts We will be using polarized media filters with activated carbon insert pads to provide a medical-grade air quality to the Facility. Polarized media filters utilize electromagnetic polarization to maximize the collection of dust and pollutants in the air, which increases the effectiveness of air filtration and odor control. The carbon pads provide an additional layer of odor removal, providing maximum efficiency and benefit. Upgrading filters are relatively inexpensive, and the costs are heavily offset by the reduced labor and cost of replacing those filters less frequently. These technologies are utilized by hospitals, laboratories and other clean facilities around the world and are an excellent option for cannabis facilities. Carbon Scrubbers We will use activated carbon scrubbers in the storage rooms where the highest concentration of products is located. These types of filters use pelletized granule carbon to remove odor, dust, and pollutants from the air and can be used as a standing unit in a space or as an exhaust filter. Just like the carbon in the air filters mentioned previously, these pellets remove dust, odor, and other pollutants through the air as it passes through the filter. Ozone Generators Ozone generators use ultraviolet bulbs or corona discharge (an electrical discharge) to produce ozone gas that works on a molecular level to eliminate virtually all odor, molds, mildews and bacteria - we will use these in the waste area and storage room. Ozone can be used safely and efficiently by utilizing generators that fit directly into your exhaust lines. This is one of the most effective methods for removing odors in the exhaust system. Any air that is emitted from the facility is dual-filtered through HEPA and charcoal filters to ensure clean, odor-free air. The Green Leaf Yard will ensure that no airborne emissions will be produced that are readily detectable off-site without instruments by the average person, or that cause any damage to human health, animals, vegetation, or property. In addition, The Green Leaf Yard will adhere to the following standards regarding emissions in the City of Fresno: • Visible emissions will not exceed the rules and regulations of the City of Fresno Air Quality Management District. • No emission of odorous gases or other odorous matter will be produced in such quantities as to be readily detectable off-site by the average person. • No activities will produce electrical disturbance that affects the operations at any point of any equipment other than that of the creator of such disturbance. • No humidity, heat or cold will be produced that is perceptible without instruments by the average person off-site. • No bright or flashing lights will be visible off-site. • No security bars will be installed on the exterior of windows or doors of structures in the industrial zoning districts. Circulation fans Air circulators and air cannons move air indoors and outdoors for a variety of tasks, such as cooling workers, animals, and equipment, drying surfaces, and exchanging stale air with fresh air. They have a motor-operated fan blade that turns to move air. Air circulator fans and air cannons can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, or floor standing. Air Quality Enhancing Plants Researcher has been studying the effects of plants on air quality for about twenty years and their research confirms, common house plants are natural air purifiers. The following plants are documented as being especially good at improving indoor air quality and will be used within the interior design of The Green Leaf Yard facilities: • Aloe Vera • Bamboo Palm • Peace Lily • Spider Plant • Parlor Palm • Gerbera Daisy Cleaning and Sanitation Strict cleaning and sanitizing procedures are part of the standard operating procedures for all operations in the Dispensary Facility. Product-contact surfaces will be cleaned before and after operations and between shift changes. Additionally, surfaces are cleaned after contact with potentially hazardous items. Employees must wash their hands with warm water and antibacterial soap after eating or using the restroom before returning to operational areas. Operational areas will be easy to clean and maintain by using appropriate, durable finishes for each functional space; careful detailing of finishes to avoid hard-to- clean crevices; adequate and appropriately located maintenance spaces; and incorporation of antimicrobial surfaces. Maintaining Reports An electronic platform will be maintained for the following information sets: 1. Daily values for odor within the storage room, dispatch room and outside the building at the front door and rear doors. 2. Maintenance schedules. 3. Staff training schedules 4. Logged issues. Identify potential sources of odor. Identifying the actual source and location of an odor is not as easy as it may seem. The first step to try and isolate the area in which the odor seems to be coming and see if the source can be found in the immediate area. If not, the next step would be to try and identify the odor and then extend the search parameters until the source of the odor has been identified or has weakened when the radius extends past a certain area. Most of the source of odor from dispensary are comes from products itself, either from the flowers or manufacture products. It’s a part of employee’s training to understand and knowledgeable regarding the cannabis odor. Here’s the information regarding the varieties and intensity of odor in cannabis plants and products. Specific Odor Emitting Activities 1. Live plants emit natural odors, which increase throughout the life cycle of the plant. 2. Mature cannabis plants emit odors during the process of being cut for harvest. 3. Trimming, curing, cooking, extracting, and packaging cannabis causes odors to be emitted. 4. Stored cannabis may emit odors if it is not tightly sealed, or if the storage containers are opened for any reason. Intensity of Odor Emitting Activities Stage/Activity Odor Level Plants Prior to Flowering Low Flowering plants High Harvesting High Curing High Trimming High Packaging Medium Storage Low Odor control devices and techniques To ensure that odors do not extend past property limits, Green Leaf Yard will utilize a number of devices, as well as employing various techniques to keep the potential issue of unwanted odors in check. High efficiency carbon filtration and air purification units will be installed throughout the facility. These units will be changed out and maintained on a fixed schedule. The filtration and purification units will minimize potential sources of odor while also cleaning the area of harmful spores, mold, and dust. The carbon filtration units fight odor with 60 lbs. of carbon and industrial grade hardware that keeps air moving through the filters. The units use standard high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters across the HVAC equipment. Physical Measures The Store Manager is responsible for ensuring the equipment related to the odor control system is functioning properly on a day-to-day basis. Negative Air Pressure A Combination of intake fans and exhaust fans are used continuously to create negative air pressure inside the main perimeter the building. This results in air being pulled in through any openings and cracks around the building, rather than positive pressure, which would push potentially odorous air outward. ● The primary intake fans are 12” Max Fans (Model EL 012-E201), which will bring outside air into the facility through MERV 11 filters. ● Five (5) internal room-to-room circulation fans move air throughout the facility. The proposed air movement fans are 8” Max Fans (Model EL 012-E201). Exhaust Air exits the individual rooms and the facility through separate exhaust fans of sufficient capacity to ventilate the entire interior. In the main area inside the perimeter of the building, the exhaust fans have a higher capacity than the intake fans, creating negative air pressure. This prevents odor-containing air from exiting the building through cracks or doors. The storage rooms are designed with positive pressure, such that insects, molds, bacterial and fungal spores are deterred from entering rooms where product quality could be negatively affected. The intake fans in these rooms have a higher capacity than the outtake fans to create positive air pressure. Filtration All air leaving the building and the cannabis product-containing rooms passes through an activated charcoal filter [or receives ozone or other equivalent treatment]. The filtration system uses thirteen (13) 12” Uvonair fans to scrub air before it is released from the facility. Doors and Windows All exterior doors and windows remain closed when not in use, and no windows are used for routine ventilation. This prevents accidental or unnecessary odor emissions. Similarly, interior doors to areas used for processing, and storing cannabis remain closed when not in use. Internal doors will be equipped with spring-loaded auto-closing systems so they cannot inadvertently be left open. Describe all proposed staff odor training and system maintenance. A rigorous staff training program has been created for The Green Leaf Yard to ensure that all staff are sufficiently trained in all aspects of the business operations, particularly product handling and odor control. Staff training will be comprehensive and, specifically, for odor management will include understanding of the odor management system, basic maintenance and product handling to reduce odor output. The Green Leaf Yard will require all retail (delivery) employees to undergo a course in "Cannabis Odor Control" in which they will learn the following: • How different odor control tools, equipment and products work • Safety concerns related to odor control • Mastering effective odor control strategies • Odor system maintenance • Maintaining records for the Odor Management System • Strategies to actively reduce odor • Reporting issues to management Odor Management Services The Green Leaf Yard will retain the services of a 3rd party odor management professional. This professional will perform inspections to identify sanitation, structural, and storage efficiency options and make recommendations to The Green Leaf Yard for any adjustments or improvements. System Maintenance Schedule The equipment used for odor mitigation will be inspected on a schedule determined by the Facilities Manager, consistent with manufacturer’s guidelines, and/or whenever personnel or visitors detect a problem with odor control. The Store Manager is responsible for developing a reminder protocol to ensure activities are carried out in a timely manner. Equipment to be inspected will include: Equipment Responsible Personnel Frequency Exhaust fans in work areas Facilities Manager or trained designee Weekly Exhaust fans outside work areas Facilities Manager or trained designee Weekly Ozone generator Facilities Manager or trained designee Weekly Ventilation ducting Facilities Manager or trained designee Monthly Activated charcoal filter Facilities Manager or trained designee Every 6 months Equipment Maintenance Log The Facilities Manager or a trained designee will maintain an equipment maintenance log for all equipment related to odor control. The log will be maintained according to the Record Keeping Plan. See Appendix A for the Odor Control Equipment Maintenance Log. At a minimum, logs will contain: 1. Specific identification of the equipment inspected using the code on the floor plan; 2. The date of the inspection; 3. The name of the personnel conducting the inspection; 4. Clear notes about the condition of the equipment; and 5. What action, if any, the inspector carries out to correct or report a malfunction. Appendix A Odor Control Equipment Maintenance Log Maintenance Frequencies (equipment code) Weekly: Exhaust fans (EF), ozone generator (OG) Monthly: Ventilation (Vent) Twice yearly: Activated charcoal filter (ACF) Attachments Calendar showing maintenance schedule Map showing all equipment locations with code labels Date Equip. Code Room/ Location Check if Normal Describe Problem (use as many rows as needed) Describe Action Check when Fixed Submit a copy of this completed form to the Store Manager and the Record Keeper. Describe the waste management plan The waste management procedures for The Green Leaf Yard are as follows: Employees need to identify the types of waste before the waste to be disposed and stored; A, Waste Generation The Green Leaf Yard will generate waste from the following waste streams: • Hazardous Waste • Universal Waste • Recyclable materials with and without THC contaminants • Solid Waste B. Waste Streams Identify Waste Streams The first step in preparing any waste management plan is to identify, characterize, and profile the particular streams of waste generated at the subject facility. Hazardous waste includes the subcategory universal waste such as batteries, light bulbs, and electronic materials. Understanding what types of waste will be generated, and in what quantities or volumes, is crucial. These factors determine how the waste management plan will be structured and whether any special permitting or notification is required. Ultimately, Green Leaf Yard is responsible for determining whether its waste is hazardous. As a rule of thumb, waste is considered hazardous until proven non- hazardous, and most generators follow this definition to reduce liability. Each hazardous waste stream requires a profile outlining physical and chemical characteristics (i.e., physical state, flashpoint, BTU value, etc.) to determine proper disposal methods. Green Leaf Yard will hire third-party consultants or waste service providers to assist with the complexities of waste identification, characterization, and profiling. Proper identification is critical because treating hazardous waste as non-hazardous is a serious violation under Environmental Protection Agency and local enforcement regulations. Improper disposal also violates the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In the commercial cannabis industry, common streams of waste include but are not limited to: • Expired or recalled product (flower, edibles, topicals, tinctures, vapes, etc.); considered non-hazardous. • Plant material from cultivation (flower, stalks, leaves, root balls); non- hazardous. • Process liquids from extraction or distillation (ethanol, acetone, etc.); hazardous. • Contaminated lab debris (gloves and wipes with solvent residues); hazardous. • Disposable vape pens with internal lithium-ion batteries; universal waste. • High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps with ballasts; universal waste. Waste Disposal: The Green Leaf Yard will identify and separate all organic waste (as defined by Public Resource Code (PRC) § 42649.8(c)) from hazardous waste as defined by PRC § 40141 generated in the process of cannabis manufacture for the purposes of potential organic waste recycling as set forth in PRC § 42649.81(a)(3) and commercial hazardous waste disposal set forth in California Health and Safety Code § 25117. All cannabis waste will be removed from its packaging (if applicable) and rendered unrecognizable and unusable prior to disposal. Glass cartridges containing the oil used for pens will be separated from the battery storage compartment. Storage Once waste streams have been identified, Green Leaf Yard will determine where they will be accumulated and stored. This accumulation will be done in either a main waste storage area or a satellite collection area. Main storage will be somewhat centrally located, accessible, and constructed with durable finishes. The main waste storage area should have a secondary containment system to contain potential leaks or spills. Specific to the cannabis industry, the main waste storage area should be in a secured, limited-access area, on the licensed premises, and under video surveillance. The most notable regulations for non-hazardous cannabis waste removal are: • Waste must be stored in a secure, limited-access area on the licensed premises, preferably under constant video surveillance. • The waste must be weighed and tracked both on-site and at its destination. • The waste must be rendered “unrecognizable and unusable” on-site prior to removal. Cannabis and related product waste will be collected periodically during the day and placed in a locked waste container. This waste will then be collected by license third party waste management service permitted to collect waste for a marijuana-based business. Waste Hauling Agency: The Green Leaf Yard will hire and use a 3rd party waste hauling company, which handles organic waste and hazardous waste. If necessary, Green Leaf Yard will use other approved waste hauling companies for its hazardous and commercial solid waste as mandated by applicable Public Resources and California Health and Safety codes. We will maintain and provide to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) all relevant business information regarding the approved hauling company including business name, address, contact person, phone number, and documentation evidencing subscription to a waste collection service. We will never be engaged in self-hauling of cannabis waste of any kind. The transfer of all waste bins from the secure area will be overseen by an appointed track- and-trace system trained employee. The appointed employee will be responsible for overseeing the physical transfer of waste to the approved waste hauling company, collect a copy of the certified weight ticket or receipt from them to keep on file, and record the transaction in the track-and-trace system. 7 COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND INVESTMENTS PLAN Criteria required in Phase II 7.1 Benefits to the Community As a member of the community, Green Leaf Yard is committed to making a positive influence whenever possible. This might possibly include being involved in community activities such as fundraisers, neighborhood cleanups and other events design to improve the community or help those living in living within the community. The cannabis industry was created by a social grassroots movement — and at a time when consumers are increasingly putting pressure on companies to focus on their social impact. Because of this, the cannabis industry has an opportunity to act as the poster child for what capitalism could look like. Simultaneously, on the national level, consumers want to see the businesses and brands they support do the right thing on their behalf and the world in which they live. This isn’t true just in the cannabis industry, where consumers have been criminalized and often violently arrested for decades, but across all industries. This is evidenced by a 2019 survey of 420 consumers in the U.S. that found "fewer people (44%) say price is among the most important attributes of a company compared to environmentally friendly business practices (71%), social responsibility (68%), and giving back to the local community (68%)." Even though a Social Responsibility Plan is a mandate of the application process, it is for these reasons The Green Leaf Yard had already positioned itself to step forward and do its part in addressing some of the biggest social issues facing Californians, and the city of Fresno in particular. The issues taking center stage include income inequality, diversity, and the environment. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS The Green Leaf Yard will work to identify local charitable organizations/programs to partner with in order to address the community’s needs. As part of our core values, we will continually reach out to the local and regional leadership for areas to support the community goals. According to the August 26, 2020 Fresno Bee: “Total homelessness in Fresno and Madera grew from 2,508 people in 2019 to 3,641 people in 2020, according to results from January’s point-in-time count — three months before the coronavirus pandemic hit the central San Joaquin Valley and devastated the national economy.” Because she is a resident and soon to be a business owner in the city of Fresno, Ms. Ramirez wants to help the municipality aid and combat its growing population of hungry and homeless citizens. • Be mindful of the Fresno community in terms of culture and customs, noise and visual blight, and concerns such as traffic, pollution, and other interactions • Support the Lincoln Training Center’s mission that states it "turns disabilities and disadvantages into possibilities through employment, independence, and community participation." • Consider sponsoring community activities and contributing to local causes. • Protect the environment, both locally and globally, by setting goals for becoming "green," avoiding the use of toxic chemicals whenever possible, and learn where our products and materials come from and how they are produced Lastly, The Green Leaf Yard also plans to participate in charitable work and/or deliver contributions to the following non-profits of Fresno: • Lincoln Training Center - 2350 W. Shaw Ave. #135k, Fresno, CA 93711 - provide the Community Based Integration Program, Customized Employment, and Disabled Veterans Workforce Program • Valley Dream Center - 1835 N. Winery Ave., Fresno, CA 93703 - provides programs that offer a pathway out of homelessness, addiction, hunger, and poverty for those in need • Poverello House - 412 F St., Fresno, CA 93706 - provides meals, social services, and temporary shelter for those in need • Veterans - The Green Leaf Yard will also have a Veteran Discount Program, which will provide 10% off all purchases for veterans. 7.1.1 Providing funding for or hosting expungement clinics or outreach services. On November 9, 2016, the law related to marijuana offenses changed. Simple possession (less than an ounce) of marijuana for adults 21 years and older became legal. Also, for many people, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana for cultivation, and sales of marijuana became misdemeanors. For people with certain prior convictions or when the offenses involved “aggravating” factors, these offenses became wobblers (meaning they could be charged either as a felony or as a misdemeanor). If one has a conviction that occurred before November 9, 2016 for the following crimes: • Possession under Health and Safety Code section 11357 • Cultivation under Health and Safety Code section 11358 • Possession for sale under Health and Safety Code section 11359 • Unlawful transport under Health and Safety Code section 11360 One can apply with the Petition/Application (Form CR-400PDF) and the Proof of Service for Petition/Application (Form CR-401PDF). If the conviction for marijuana possession (Health and Safety Code section 11357) was dismissed, you may ask the court to seal your records with the same forms. Automatic destruction of marijuana-related arrest and conviction record Courts are now required to clean up many marijuana-related arrest and conviction records automatically, without a petition. Therefore, it may not be necessary for one to file for this type of relief. Green Leaf Yard will look to provide funding for individuals convicted misdemeanor crimes involving marijuana. Another area in which Green Leaf Yard is looking to assist is in the area of the homeless within the city of Fresno. This year’s snapshot of homelessness indicated there were 3,641 homeless people, including 960 in shelters. That compares to 2,508 homeless people — 439 in shelters — in 2019. This translates into a 45% increase from 2019 to 2020. Green Leaf Yard’s management and staff understand the importance of a quality of life that is rewarding and believes that no individual should have to worry about where they might be sleeping on any given night, or if they are protected from the elements. Green Leaf Yard will work with various organizations that help to provide such necessities as shelter, food, clothing, and other items to those homeless or other individuals in similar circumstances that just need a helping hand to get back on their feet, or even a brief moment of not having to worry and being able to rest their minds even if for a night or two. 7.1.2 Incorporating an environmentally sustainable business model including energy efficient buildings and vehicles. The Green Leaf Yard plans to incorporate an environmentally sustainable business model by using green environmental technology on the premises and creating an energy efficient building. To create a healthier and cleaner community, The Green Leaf Yard will recycle all applicable items and attempt to eliminate waste as much as possible and lower waste disposal costs. The Green Leaf Yard will plan to use biodegradable, instead of packaging material and product in paper or plastic. The Green Leaf Yard will use cleaning products that have natural ingredients and are safe to use. The cleaning agents used within The Green Leaf Yard will be free of chemicals that are toxic to the environment and/or harmful to humans. 7.1.3 Utilizing vacant buildings, brownfields land, or blighted areas of the city for the business. Green Leaf Yard will be located at 1045 F St. Fresno. CA 93706. The building is currently occupied, Like most entrepreneurs, Ms. Ramirez is a naturally civically minded citizen. She knows the value of rehabilitating an older building will do more than just give her business a great place to launch dispensary. It increases the tax base and raises the quality of living for others through salaries, profits. and investments. In addition to being an economic generator for the city of Fresno, Ms. Ramirez realizes that the value of foot traffic, accessibility, infrastructure, and more are germane to helping The Green Leaf Yard to succeed. The building was selected for several reasons, including, but not limited to: • Location • Size • Zoning Classification Property Details: 1045 F St. Fresno o Store, Retail Outlet o Size: 2,500 SF. o Lot Size: 15,000 SF. o Built in 1915 o Parcel Number: 46706602 o County: Fresno o Subdivision: FRESNO o Lot: 5 o Zoning: C-4 7.2. 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 Marijuana has short- and long-term effects on the brain. • When marijuana is smoked, the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) passes from the lungs to the bloodstream. • Blood then carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. • User generally feels the effects after 30 to 60 minutes, including changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and impaired memory. • When marijuana users begin using as teenagers, long-term effects can include reductions in thinking, memory, and learning functions. Licensed dispensaries and retail cannabis stores must check IDs to ensure consumers are 21 or older. In some states the age is 18 for licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. They use cameras and track-and-trace software to prevent diversion to illegal jurisdictions. Sales tax revenue is often earmarked for youth prevention programs. And as the price of legal, regulated cannabis falls in the years after the opening of a state’s retail market, so may the profit motive to sell it illicitly. Teen use—as shown by more than a dozen papers and national self-reported youth health surveys—is not directly impacted by the opening of cannabis dispensaries. Despite these positive reports, Green Leaf Yard will also be making a commitment to educate young people on the dangers of cannabis and other drugs, both legal and illegal. The company will make available literature from such notable organizations as: • The National Institute on Drug Abuse • US Department of Human Services • American Medical Association • Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry • Partnership for Drug Free /Kids. Green Leaf Yard will look to work with one or more of the following organizations: Let’s Talk Cannabis - Youth and Cannabis: What You Should Know. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to smoke, consume, buy or possess cannabis (marijuana, weed, pot). Bigger Choices Campaign - Bigger Choices is a marijuana use prevention campaign developed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to inform with facts and create a dialog with and among teens. Above the Influence - Above the Influence is a movement empowering young people to recognize and face the influences around them, including the pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol. Still Blowing Smoke - Still Blowing Smoke is a campaign addressing the issue of vaping and e-cigarettes sales. Marijuana Fact Check - Marijuana Fact Check is a resource for parents and teens to find health information specifically related to marijuana. Flavors Hook Kids - Flavors Hook Kids is the largest effort to date targeting flavored tobacco products in the country. Information will be made available to neighborhood schools and religious organizations free of charge for distribution to kids, as well as parents.