Woodland’s newest cannabis dispensary, Perfect Union, located at 1810 E. Main St., Ste. 101, opened its doors to customers for the first time Friday morning, making the California-based multi-franchise company the second-ever cannabis dispensary to open within the city limits.

“We just want to be able to help serve the communities that we’re in, and we do that through our community benefits by ensuring that we can provide legal access to safe, tested and taxed cannabis,” Director of State and Local Licensing at MWG Holdings Chelsea Haskins said. “When you walk into our doors, you feel welcomed. Our staff is there to assist you in any way needed, and you’ll know that this is good, this is safe, and you’re gonna be able to be helped by people who really understand the products.”

Perfect Union’s opening is one of the several manifestations of years of lobbying the municipal government to pass ordinances to allow for zoning designations for cannabis dispensaries.

In June 2022, the city passed an amendment to allow for the consideration of an additional four conditional use permits specifically for retail cannabis land use within specified planning zones.Seven months later, the city requested applications inviting prospective operators to submit proposals to be considered for one of the four available licenses and permits. The selection process considered business, employment, we well as labor plans, security plans, qualifications of owners, neighborhood compatibility, community engagement and equity plan and proposed site utilization.

The request brought interest from 12 applicants, four of which were selected.

During an October 2024 Woodland City Council meeting, three businesses were granted conditional use permits: Perfect Union, Sundial Collective, to be located at 3 Court St., and Woodland Cannabis Dispensary.

Woodland Cannabis Dispensary, located at 163 Court St., opened its doors on Jan. 31 and saw hundreds of folks lined up to be among the first to purchase cannabis from Woodland’s first legal dispensary.

Earlier this month, the Woodland City Council approved a permit and operating agreement for the city’s fourth storefront retail cannabis dispensary. The resolution passed with a 5-0 vote.

The fourth approved location will be Embarc Woodland, 825 East St., Suites 102 and 103. This location is within an existing shopping center and within the approved distance of all previously discussed cannabis business locations.

Perfect Union’s Woodland location adds to the over 10 dispensaries the company has across the Golden state. Their model is different than the traditional cannabis retailer — rather than having the products behind a counter and budtenders who retrieve items for customers, Perfect Union has products on an open sales floor where patrons can walk up, hold the product, read the labels and see for themselves what is available.

In addition, Perfect Union has embedded itself into the Woodland community and actively supports numerous local organizations, including Thriving Pink, Yolo County Meals on Wheels, the Woodland Recreation Foundation, and more, according to a press release for Friday’s grand opening.

Just this past January, Haskins was appointed to the Woodland Chamber of Commerce Board, further strengthening local ties. The company has also hosted National Night Out events to connect with residents, local law enforcement and fire personnel.

“I have to say that Woodland really has a special place in my heart — I love this town, we all love this town, so it’s wonderful to be able to work with the community and to be able to serve the community,” Haskins said. “The whole cornerstone of our company is having a strong community benefits background. We’re actively working in the community, we’re volunteering, we’re providing monetary donations — whatever the community needs, especially to nonprofits. It’s another way that we can help serve our customers.”