Oakland Hosts 'Cannabis Summit' To Discuss Rules For Businesses
OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- With the Jan. 1 start date for legal sales of recreational marijuana in California fast approaching, dozens of current and potential cannabis entrepreneurs came to a summit in Oakland Wednesday to hear state officials explain the rules they must follow and the fees they must pay.
At the Winter Cannabis Summit at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors' chambers, state officials said businesses must pay one-time license applications fees ranging from $135 to $8,655 and annual license fees ranging from $1,205 to $78,000.
Supervisor Nate Miley, who helped organize the summit, pointed out, "Those are just the fees. Business are also subject to taxes."
Mike Morgan, who runs the We Are Hemp Dispensary in Hayward, was one of the hundred or so people to attend the event.
When asked how much money he thought the business might bring in during the first year, Morgan replied, "I don't know, but I just know there is a lot for taxes and everything like that."
In addition, Dr. Asif Mann, the chief of the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch of the California Department of Public Health, said cannabis businesses must get authorization, such as permits, from local officials.
Alameda County supervisors said the summit's goal was to bring key stakeholders together to address the challenges and opportunities in implementing the new legal, taxed and tightly regulated system for medical and adult recreational use of cannabis.
Panel discussions focused on regulations for licensing, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, testing labs and micro-businesses.
Although the rules and fees were daunting to many of those who attended the summit, Mann said state officials don't want to scare off people from entering the cannabis field but instead want to encourage them to enter it.
"Our goal is to get you licensed because your success is our success," he said.
Mann said the Department of Public Health's role is to promote public health and workplace safety through regulations, licensing and compliance and by making sure that cannabis products are made in a safe way.
He said labeling may not refer to products as candy and cannot be attractive to children.
Mann said another rule is that products cannot be in the shape of a human being, animal, insect or fruit.
Selling marijuana, however, is still a federal crime, so none of the millions of dollars used for buying, selling or even paying taxes can go through banks.
California Cannabis Chief Regulator Lori Ajax says it all has to be done in cash.
"That is a huge concern for the state and the locals," said Ajax.
Without banks, collecting the expected millions in taxes will be a challenge as well.
"The bureau is going to be accepting cash at their Sacramento location," said Ajax. "We are going to have an armored truck to pick up cash for us at the bureau, absolutely."
The handling of cash is also a major concern for sellers like Morgan as well, who said his business will increase security ahead of January 1.
"26 cameras, security guards, armed. We police our community," said Morgan.
"When the employees leave, we don't want someone sitting outside waiting and following them home thinking they have money," said Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley
O'Malley also noted that weed being legal will likely mean even more black-market street dealers and more trouble.
"Unfortunately we have had too many marijuana rip-offs that have resulted in someone being killed." said the DA.
Richard Parrott, the director of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division, said no alcohol or tobacco sales are allowed on the premises of businesses that sell cannabis.
Parrott said people who have criminal backgrounds may apply for licenses but said all prospective entrepreneurs must undergo background checks and people who have criminal convictions that are "substantially related" to the field may be denied licenses unless they provide sufficient evidence that they're rehabilitated.
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