Entering the cannabis space in California as a business opportunity is not always as straightforward a process as one may think. Depending on the type of business and location, many of the individual cities and counties are limiting the locations where cannabis businesses can exist, and limiting the number of cannabis businesses in their locality. Due to this limiting, obtaining approval for a new cannabis business in California is often an extremely competitive process.

To start things off, the local municipality in charge of regulating new cannabis businesses will advertise an RFP – the acronym for Request For Proposal. With the posting of the request for proposal the agency is posing the question “who is the best candidate for this location?” Prospective business candidates will then need to put together a comprehensive document that contains information such as your business proforma, qualifications of the individuals who are involved with the business, along with detailed information about the location you have selected for your cannabis business. This process allows the local municipality and regulating agencies to weigh their options among what is often an extremely large field of business prospects competing for the same opportunity.

When it comes to information about a potential location for your business, the regulatory agencies are most interested in identifying modifications you need to make to the building, such as security provisions, operational provisions and what you will be doing to mitigate any potential issues that arise. One of the key elements that regulatory agencies are keen on is odor mitigation, especially if you are involved in cultivation or manufacturing.

Putting together the most comprehensive RFP package that meets the requirements of what the agency is looking for and demonstrating that you are the best candidate, is the only way you are going to be considered for that particular opportunity. 

Thus far, Greenroad has a 100% success rate in all of the competitions we have performed in. We produce professional and thorough technically focused presentations that showcase exactly what that particular location has to offer and how that applicant best meets those requirements that the public agency is looking for. We focus our efforts by leveraging our 40 years of experience in land use, planning, architectural design, general construction, and a deep understanding of California’s constantly evolving and complex laws and regulations in the cannabis industry to win your RFP competition. 

If you are considering entering an RFP competition, or have already begun working on your RFP and think you may need a helping hand, contact us for a free consultation.