A cannabis dispensary that previously received hundreds of thousands in grant funding has been rejected for a social equity permit to operate in the City of Fresno.
The City Manager’s Office officially rejected the permit application Tuesday for Truffle Tree 420, according to a memorandum obtained by The Sun.
The backstory: Truffle Tree 420 had received grants and a loan totaling $222,006.85 as part of the city’s social equity cannabis program – funded with state tax dollars – in April.
- The company would have been located at 245 M St. near downtown Fresno.
- The company’s permit for the city of Fresno was earned via its social equity program, created for individuals who were incarcerated or otherwise impacted via the illegal cannabis market.
- According to its application, Truffle Tree 420 is led by chief executive Eddie Rodriguez of Fresno.
The big picture: Truffle Tree 420 had its social equity permit denied after the city reviewed the applicant’s criminal background interview with the Fresno Police Department.
- The applicant admitted to making multiple false statements to the police officer conducting the interview, according to the report.
- Fresno’s municipal code prohibits anyone from holding a cannabis business permit after knowingly making any false statements in the application or to a city employee.
Bills, bills, bills: The city sent an invoice to Truffle Tree 420 in an attempt to recoup any unspent grant funding that was distributed.
- If any of those funds are repaid, the city can grant them to other eligible applicants even though the Cannabis Equity Act grant has ended.
