Benicia Cannabis Program
Cannabis is an emerging industry in California where science and technology have merged with medicinal strains within the spirit of counterculture movement and the next phase of cultural integration. Cannabis’s cultivation techniques are preserving land and water resources of the natural environment and restoring wildlife habitat, which embodies Benicia’s sustainability values.
With the lowest excise fees in the region, a portfolio of appropriate buildings, and an ombudsman as point of contact for working through the license and permit process, Benicia welcomes manufacturing, cultivation, testing and distribution. Our entrepreneurial spirit and unparalleled location is a destination you won’t want to miss for your cannabis operation.
Start Here
To start your new cannabis business, contact:
Mario Giuliani, Deputy City Manager
707.746.4289 • mario.giuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us
Lowest Cannabis Excise Tax Rates in the Region
| Business Type | Excise Tax Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | 1% | Gross Receipts |
| Testing | 1% | Gross Receipts |
| Manufacturing | 2% Year 1 2.5% Year 2 3.5% Year 3 |
Gross Receipts |
| Commercial Cultivation | $5 year 1 $6 Year 2 $7 Year 3* |
Per Square Foot |
*Beginning January 1, 2022 rate will be adjusted each January 1 by San Francisco Area’s Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as of previous October.
Doing Cannabis Business in Benicia
Step 1 conducted by the Benicia Office of Economic Development: (707) 746-4289
Steps 2-4 conducted by the Benicia Planning Department: (707) 746-4320 or comdev@ci.benicia.ca.us.
Cannabis Resources
City of Benicia – Cannabis Resources
Cannabis Program, City of Benicia
www.ci.benicia.ca.us/cannabis
State of California – Cannabis Resources
PG&E
Many commercial and industrial cannabis operations will require upgrades to on-site utilities. PG&E is currently experiencing extended service delays after damage caused by wildfires. Operators, applicants, and property owners are recommended to contact PG&E and ask about service conditions that may affect their project.
Contact: Lawrence H. Acosta, MBA, Economic Development Specialist, Senior
Office: 650-598-7335, Mobile 510-362-5220, email LHA3@pge.com