Sean Kali-rai and Victor Gomez, two former San Jose city employees who work as lobbyists, launched the “Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance” — a trade organization just for marijuana dispensaries, cultivators, distributors, delivery services and lab testers. The new association will include cannabis businesses in Santa Clara, San Benito and San Mateo counties.
The SVCA will have a political action committee to endorse and raise money for cannabis-friendly candidates and legislation. It’s the first of its kind in Silicon Valley.
STATE BY STATE: California Cannabis News
“Cannabis businesses are being turned away from municipalities. They’re not being treated fairly like other businesses and someone needs to help them,” said Kali-rai, who worked for former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and now represents five of the largest San Jose dispensaries. “They deserve some respect and maybe this organization can help them get that.”
Despite a love-hate relationship with City Hall, the marijuana industry is a powerful one in San Jose. The city reaps an estimated $10.5 million in annual tax revenue from its 16 sanctioned medical marijuana facilities. The shops employ an estimated 800 people.
