The Madera City Council on Aug. 22, 2025 voted to request that the city declare void a community benefit agreement dated Aug. 15, 2024, with Madera House Culture Inc., doing business as Culture Cannabis Club, after the corporation was found suspended by the California Secretary of State.

City Attorney (name not given in the transcript) told the council the corporation has been suspended for more than a year and that, under the citys rules, the commercial cannabis business (CCB) permit and the related community benefit agreement automatically expire when a license-holders corporate status is suspended. "Our position is the agreement is already automatically expired," the city attorney said, describing the resolution as a "belt and suspenders" measure to make the record clear.

During public comment, two people identifying themselves with the applicant said the suspension is an administrative issue that can be resolved quickly and asked the council to consider extensions. Mike Warda, who said he represents the applicant, disputed the councils legal framing and said the company was in the process of correcting its status. "It can do business," Warda said, "it just can't file a lawsuit right now, because it is in suspended status." Devin Julian, who identified himself as one of the owners of Culture Madera, said the project is "fully funded and ready to move forward," that building and sign permits had been submitted recently, and that the suspension arose from a bookkeeping change with an accounting vendor that could be remedied in days.

The city attorney told council members the Secretary of State response did not indicate an entry error and that the corporation was indeed suspended; he further said any delay in reviving the corporation would not toll mandatory deadlines for permit issuance. The attorney characterized the councils proposed action as a confirmation that the agreement has expired under city code.

A councilmember moved and seconded a slightly modified resolution clarifying the expiration of the prior agreement. The mayor called for the vote and announced the motion passed unanimously. The transcript does not show an individually recorded roll-call vote; the meeting record lists Mayor Guygos, Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez, Council member Zachariah and Council member Villegas as present at roll call and notes three members absent.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.; the councils next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2025.