Armed takeover robbery at Berkeley cannabis dispensary

A 30-year-old cannabis dispensary in South Berkeley was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend by several masked men with guns, authorities report.

The takeover-style robbery took place at CBCB, the Cannabis Buyers Club of Berkeley, at 3033 Shattuck Ave. on Friday night after the shop had closed, authorities said.

Three people with guns confronted a security guard and staff member as they locked up, forcing them back into the store at about 10:40 p.m., according to police.

The group threatened the victims and held them at gunpoint throughout the incident, police said.

After taking money and merchandise, the group fled in a getaway car via Essex Street; no one was hurt.

The robbery remains under investigation and limited details were available. No arrests have been made.

Armed men carjack security guard, rob Berkeley dispensary

CBCB’s owner said she felt terrible about the disruption to neighbors and had worked for years to make the business community oriented.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Robbers also targeted CBCB in 2017 and again in 2023, when they overtook a security guard and rammed their way into the dispensary with his car.

The East Bay saw a spate of cannabis dispensary robberies in 2023, hitting CBCB at least twice.

Overall, however, robberies have been down significantly in Berkeley this year, with 73 in 2026 compared to 88 over a similar period last year, according to preliminary data.

Last year appeared to be a historic low for robberies in Berkeley following fewer reports during most of the pandemic.

For many years, Berkeley consistently averaged about a robbery a day before the numbers began to fall.

Berkeley police are also investigating an armed robbery at a local smoke shop in late June, which is likely unrelated.

This story will be updated if additional information becomes available.