Cannabis dispensary near mosque

Cited lawsuits against STIIIZY over high-potency products, youth marketing, and patent violations, calling the company predatory.

A mosque member and youth worker said there's no parking between Burger King and the proposed site and worried about his daughter being exposed to cannabis activity.

A UFCW Local 5 organizer spoke in support, saying STIIIZY's security measures protect workers and their track record in other communities holds up.

Spoke in support, citing STIIIZY's lighting, site maintenance, and security investments as neighborhood benefits.

Asked the council to revoke the CUP, saying staff's claim of 'no impact' was dismissive and long-term studies of retail cannabis don't exist yet.

Supported the project for its union jobs with real benefits and local hiring.

A union representative who said STIIIZY bargains in good faith and hires locally, calling it the kind of employer San Pablo wants.

A UFCW member who testified that the union contract guarantees wages, benefits, and a voice for workers.

A longtime union member who said STIIIZY's standards are consistent across all locations.

Cited anonymous Glassdoor reviews showing low employee ratings at STIIIZY (2.8/5 stars, 32% CEO approval) to challenge the good-employer narrative.

The mosque's imam and youth coordinator said a dispensary across the street fundamentally clashes with the drug-free values taught to students.

Compared the dispensary to the proliferation of liquor stores in the area and asked whether kids would be exposed to it near Sunday school.

A structural engineer and daily worshipper who said the mosque operates 24/7, five prayers daily, and asked the council to locate the project elsewhere.

With the West County Alcohol Policy Coalition, cited high substance-use rates on San Pablo Avenue and the mosque's community services, asking the council to prioritize the mosque over a cannabis business.

A resident who raised public-safety concerns — trafficking, gangs — and begged the council to reject the permit.

A 15-year San Pablo resident who said taxpayers and voters are already stretched thin on police resources and asked the council to relocate the business.

An El Sobrante resident who raised youth exposure, parking shortages, and bad afternoon traffic on San Pablo Avenue.

Raised process concerns — no neighborhood hearing before the permit and the CEQA exemption — plus cash-security and robbery risks.

A former city redevelopment employee who supported the project, noting the building has been vacant for years and that professionals vetted the proposal.

Urged denial, arguing 50 feet is no buffer, the mosque is a high-frequency community anchor, and the cash-heavy business raises robbery risks.

A postal worker who shared complaints about secondhand smoke affecting neighbors.

A mother who asked the council to stop the store, citing her son's safety and health and saying kids will be curious about a nearby dispensary.

A former dispensary security guard who said he saw employees come to work under the influence and compared the site to placing a dispensary next to an elementary school.

A 27-year-old who grew up in San Pablo and asked whether mosque youth count less than school kids, given legal product still ends up in minors' hands.