First retail dispensary opens

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Local dignitaries and officials join Embarc Madera staff in celebration during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday for Madera’s first cannabis dispensary at 530 East Yosemite Avenue.

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Madera’s journey to a legal cannabis retail facility has been long and sometimes slow moving. since California legalized cannabis for recreational use by passing proposition 64 in 2016.

Initially hesitant to allow retail sites in city limits, Madera chose to delay the decision to allow so until the long term effects of the industry could be observed as it unfolded throughout the state. After eight years, residents of Madera, however, are excited for what the introduction of the new industry has to bring to the community.

With it Maderans are celebrating the opening of  the city’s first recreational retail establishment, as cannabis dispensary chain, Embarc, opened the doors of its 15th retail dispensary, in Madera this past week.  Simultaneously, a second Embarc store in Fresno was in the process of opening its doors for the first time.