A cannabis company is opening two dispensaries in Fresno this month on opposite sides of town.

Culture Cannabis Club had a soft opening for its first location at 314 E. Bullard Ave. on Friday. The company will open its second location at 2590 S. Maple Ave., suite 103, on Thursday.

The two dispensaries mark the 10th and 11th stores for the company in California. The grand openings for both stores will be in mid-February.

“We are excited to bring Culture Cannabis Club to Fresno with the opening of our 10th California location,” CEO Devon Julian said. “Our goal is to provide a welcoming space for both cannabis enthusiasts and newcomers, offering top-notch products and a unique shopping experience.”

Culture Cannabis to Help Support Local Nonprofits, Fresno Police

The City of Fresno awarded licenses to Culture Cannabis in August 2021, said Barigye McCoy, partner and chief communications officer with Culture Cannabis Club.

The company obtained building permits for the locations on Feb. 14, 2023.

Part of their permit to operate comes with a commitment to give back to the community.

One percent of the sales from the dispensaries will go to the Fresno Police Activities League. In addition, the Bullard location will donate $50,000 a year to the nonprofit Breaking the Chains.

Breaking the Chains is a Fresno-based organization providing support to victims of human trafficking.

At the southeast end of town, the Maple location will likewise help fund the Sunnyside Baseball League, allowing kids in that part of town to play in a regulated baseball league, McCoy said.

McCoy said the company chose the two organizations because of their work with people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.

“The name speaks for itself,” McCoy said. “Our motto is ‘we all rise.’ What brought on that name is that, you know, all walks of life being welcome and no judgement. We’re here to serve both consumers and the community.”

McCoy Born and Raised in Fresno

Born in southwest Fresno, McCoy grew up in the part of town known locally as the “Dog Pound.” He graduated from Edison High School in 1999 and went on to work for Fresno County. From Fresno County, he went into the private sector, working at a local development company.

McCoy has an extensive background in the world of cannabis legislation.

He lobbied for the passage of Senate Bill 420 — the law legalizing medical marijuana in California — and Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana.

McCoy said he saw firsthand the effect that laws criminalizing recreational drug usage had on communities.

“I have always been an advocate of legalization of cannabis,” McCoy said. “I personally saw firsthand how (homes) were destroyed due to the strict laws on small amounts of drugs and people being caught with small amounts of drugs.”