Cannabis Dispensaries bring revenue and jobs to Tempe

Sol Flower dispensaries’ ongoing development projects in Tempe locations plan to bring jobs, tax revenue and enhance the curb appeal of the area.

Copperstate Farms, located in Snowflake, Arizona, is the largest wholesaler of cannabis in the state and one of the biggest greenhouse operations in North America.

Fife Symington IV, the son of a former Arizona governor, is one of the managing directors and co-founders of Copperstate Farms. He has more than three decades of experience in greenhouse agriculture and saw an opportunity in the cannabis industry in its early stages around 2016, according to a podcast called “Built on Purpose” with Y’ Scouts’ with Max Hansen.

The Farm operates the brand of Sol Flower dispensaries and has four medical/recreational locations in the Phoenix metro area, including two in Tempe.

“Our commitment to the city of Tempe and to every city in which we operate is 100% compliance from a state level and of course good corporate citizenship,” said Ryan Hurley, general counsel at Copperstate Farms.

The cannabis business is in the process of completely renovating and expanding the 2424 W. University Drive location an old warehouse built in the 60s, according to Hurley. The renovated building will be home to its 40-acre Farm’s processing and package facility, in the back of the location.

The two Tempe locations combined have 123 employees, after the $6 million renovations and expansion project that is currently under review with the city of Tempe, they will be able to bring in more than two dozen additional well-paying job positions in both retail and processing/packaging.

Sol Flower is also focused on enhancing the appeal of the University corridor between the I-10 and Mill Avenue and bringing a positive neighborhood impact on its McClintock location north of Tempe Marketplace, which is currently undergoing renovation and expansion of more than 3,000 square feet.

“We appreciate you guys being invested in Tempe and any business we have is welcome business,” said Vice Mayor Keating. “We’re excited not only that you are here but that you are spending money on renovating your buildings as you know beautification is big in Tempe, we like our code enforced and we like our pretty buildings so I’m very much appreciative of that and any sort of community partnership is fantastic.”

The business is bringing an estimated annual sales tax of $650,000 to the city of Tempe with its combined monthly average revenue for the Tempe locations of around $3 million. Hurley said that on a typical day more than 1,000 people, split evenly 50/50 between medical and recreational use, visit the McClintock location.

Copperstate Farms is also trying to make a good impact in the community by getting involved with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Local First Arizona, Tempe PRE program that aims to help families and kids in impoverished areas, and the last prisoner project a non-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform.

Due to concerns over exposure to COVID-19, the Workforce Readiness and Economic Vitality Council Committee monthly September meeting co-chaired by Vice Mayor Randy Keating and Councilmember Robin Arredondo-Savage was held virtually as the state closed the Council Chambers to protect the community.