Oakland May Require More Local Ownership Of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
OAKLAND (KCBS) – A proposal to require more local ownership of medical-marijuana outlets in Oakland has taken a step forward. The plan also focuses on boosting hiring of Oakland residents by pot dispensaries.
The proposal calls for 50 percent of permits for marijuana cultivators and dispensaries to be issued to Oakland resident who live in areas that have been heavily impacted by law enforcement against illegal cannabis operators.
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City councilmember Desley Brooks says it's a matter of equity.
"People who have profited from the cannabis business have been predominantly white," Brooks said. "And the people who go to jail, who get ticketed, are people who are brown and black."
Some growers say new rules would bring many operators out of the shadows.
After being approved by the Public Safety Committee, the plan next goes to the full Oakland City Council.