The first cannabis dispensary in Fontana will be opening on April 1, and a local resident is one of the co-owners of the establishment.
Embarc, an independent cannabis retailer with 13 locations statewide, received approval from the Fontana City Council earlier this year to operate a business at 9132 Sierra Avenue.
Cynthia Peña-Rodriguez, a social worker with a master’s degree from USC, owns the dispensary along with Lauren Carpenter.
The Fontana location is in a building owned by Cynthia’s parents, Enrique and Leticia Peña, first-generation Mexican-Americans who raised their family in Fontana and built a successful grocery business in La Puente. The building was purchased as an investment by Enrique and Leticia.
“Since meeting the Embarc team, my family and I have been enthused at the prospect of bringing responsible access to plant medicine to a community my family has loved for a long time,” Cynthia Peña-Rodriguez said. “We’re excited to be opening our doors and look forward to the many positive benefits the business can and will provide the community. “
In a news release, Carpenter added: “We are thrilled to be opening after a more than year-long outreach effort to understand the unique needs and priorities of this community. Many community members played