How the city of Fresno spells cannabis relief: Opinion cartoon by SW Parra

The opening of cannabis dispensaries in Fresno — and the tax windfall the city figures to gain from it — is the subject of this week’s opinion cartoon by SW Parra.

It has taken about five years since retail weed was allowed in Fresno for bureaucrats to work out all the details and regulations, making way for the stores.

So the openings were an important occasion. “We took our time; some would say too long of a time,” Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias told Bee reporter Thaddeus Miller at Monday’s opening. “As the largest city to not have cannabis sales, it’s a huge deal.”

The city estimates about $10 million a year in revenue from weed retailers once all of them open up. The city’s regulations allow up to three in each council district.