Matt Garza is pitching something new.

The Fresno native and former Major League Baseball pitcher has applied for city licenses to open two retail cannabis businesses. He sees them as platforms to raise money for his philanthropy.

“My main motivation is to help build up our community to it, to bring some, positive light to this industry. It’s a growing industry and (I want) to use it to help give opportunities that are needed,” Garza said. “I live here and I want to see everybody prosper.”

After several public record requests from GV Wire℠, portions of the license applications submitted by potential retailers have now been posted on the city’s website.

The documents show applicants include baseball players, a City Hall consultant and an auto shop owners among those hoping to potentially make millions of dollars in revenue.

The city believes its first 14 recreational cannabis outlets will generate millions in new tax dollars, also. Mayor Jerry Dyer estimates the shops could open by October.

The city’s Office of Cannabis Oversight is reviewing and evaluating the applications now. Two retail stores will be permitted in each of the city’s seven council districts.

Between one and four of the stores will be reserved for applicants meeting a set of social equity criteria, including income level, past conviction for cannabis crimes, and residency in economically disadvantaged areas, among others.

The city was also granted $1.2 million from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development this week to provide social equity applicants with technical assistance, as well as access to low/no-interest loans or grants, and reduced/waived licensing fees.

Ballplayer Garza Applies for Two Stores

Garza — the 2008 ALCS MVP — is ready to move on to the next phase of his life, after pitching 12 seasons for four teams. Part of his inspiration to get involved with cannabis is his family. His son Matt was diagnosed with Rolandic epilepsy as a child.

“Is there a different way to treat this? Because the answer to side effects was giving him more medicine. And I didn’t really like that,” Garza said. His son has since recovered and is attending Fresno State.

Garza’s says his father, a retired military veteran, and his grandmother have both benefited from alternate medical treatments.

“I believe that this can really help. There’s a lot of people suffering with opiate addiction crisis and maybe this could be a different way of looking at it,” Garza said.

Garza is partnering with Shryne Group on two locations, both to be called Authentic Fresno — at 4931 N. Blackstone (at the southwest corner of Shaw Avenue) and 4248 W. Ashlan (near Highway 99). Garza would hold 51% ownership at both locations.

Shryne operates at least six locations across the state. In an application for the city of Wildomar last year, the company said it made $9 million in sales during May 2020 for its stores, paying $1.3 million in state and local taxes for the month. They also applied for a third location in Fresno, independent of Garza.

Garza said he met the people behind Shryne at mutual events. They group then reached out to him expressing interest to partner in a cannabis business.

Other Former Players Apply

Two others with Fresno baseball ties have also applied for licenses. Former Fresno State standout and San Francisco Giant Steve Hosey is involved with three Embarc Fresno applications.

And developer Terance Frazier, another former Fresno State and pro ballplayer, is hoping to open Catalyst Highway 99 in downtown Fresno at 721 Broadway.

“It is true I am making an investment in Fresno’s future,” Frazier said. “A legal cannabis industry can become a catalyst for bridging an economic ladder to a diverse community that has experienced the negative impacts of an illicit market.”

Frazier is partnering with Jacob Elliot, a cannabis entrepreneur from Long Beach. Frazier’s son Jacob is also a partner.

Fonseca Brothers Hope to Help Those Who Need a Hand

Brothers Isaac and Teddy Fonseca grew up in a low income Fresno neighborhood. They hope to help those who may need a hand if they are awarded cannabis licenses.

Isaac applied for a social equity license for Beyond Rooted at 705 Fulton Street. He is partnering with Nathan Perez, who would qualify under the social equity component because of a prior marijuana conviction.

“(We want) the communities that we grew up in have a little bit more than what we had growing up,” Isaac said. “I want to be a platform to help those who want to make things better and make others lives better.”

Isaac estimates revenues at $2.8 million. He anticipates hiring 15 employees at the start.

Teddy applied for a cultivation license under the Abcanna name. His family already cultivates a cannabis farm in Mendocino and has a hemp farm in Caruthers. He runs ABC Auto Body, regularly hiring those in need of help.

“(We will) bring some life to downtown Fresno, bring some job opportunities down there,” Teddy Fonseca said.

The brothers are also launching a line of cannabis flower, branded as G7.

Both Fonseca brothers are used to giving back. They held a food drive to help hundreds in Fresno during the past holiday season.

City Hall Consultant Wants to Become Cannabis Retailer

Kacey Auston Tibbetts makes her living lobbying elected officials at City Hall on behalf of her clients. Because of rules preventing contact with city councilmembers, she can’t lobby directly for her three cannabis retail applications.

“I have a strong corporation that’s backing me. I have a very strong proposal and a true understanding of community, and I bring my name and reputation,” Auston Tibbetts said. “I am accountable and I’m only as good as my name and my reputation.”

She is listed as the majority owner for three potential locations — including Cookies Cannabis Retail at 1264 N. Wishon in the Tower District.

“I looked at the business model and I looked at their employment model, and I fell in love with it because it’s a perfect fit for Fresno,” Auston Tibbetts said.

One of her partners is Gilbert Anthony Milam, Jr., better known as the rap artist Berner.

Cookies would take over a vacant building that previously housed a Bank of America branch. Auston Tibbetts hopes the store will help transform the block.

“There’ll be new lighting. There’ll be 24 hour security. This will truly be a pedestrian area. The restaurants in the strip will thrive,” Auston Tibbetts said.

She estimates the store in the Tower District could bring in $12 million in sales a year, with $1 million in tax revenue for the city.

Employees would start at $20 an hour with health benefits, she said.

List of Fresno Cannabis Retail Applicants

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Social Equity Applicants

Note: Not all applicants were listed on city’s website. The applications did not contain information on the property owner.