Branson-Backed Company to Deliver Cannabis in San Francisco

Another company is entering the cannabis delivery business in California, and this one has a high-profile backer: British tycoon Sir Richard Branson.

Sidecar, a ride-hailing service similar to Uber and Lyft, is now working with dispensaries in San Francisco to deliver medical marijuana to patients’ homes.

The company raised $15 million in funding last fall to fuel an expansion, with Branson participating in the round as an investor.

According to CNET, the company vows to deliver MMJ from local dispensaries within an hour. Deliveries are limited to 1 ounce per customer, and cannabis will be stored in a lock box during transportation.

Sidecar has partnered with Meadow Care, which runs a website that allows patients to order medical cannabis online from a network of locally licensed dispensaries.

It’s the latest company to get into the medical marijuana delivery business, which is booming in some areas of California.

Sidecar will compete with San Francisco-based Eaze, which said last month that it raised $10 million in venture capital funding to expand geographically, improve technology and boost customer service initiatives.