I applaud Oakland’s intention in adopting its recent Equity Permit Program, but I believe that its unintended consequences will do more harm than good. This system disadvantages many highly impacted drug war survivors. Individuals in West Oakland and Fruitvale will be left out, as will anyone who lives outside the city. Before the amendment anyone who follows the rules could get a permit, but now only a handful may qualify. This will very negatively affect Oakland’s cannabis program and residents. Instead, Oakland should encourage all new and existing cannabis businesses to flourish by removing the amendment.
I’d like to commend the Council for its move to guarantee equity in the cannabis industry boom for those most disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. It's a valiant effort and an important mission. However, the amendment is too narrow in its scope, and does too little to educate and support the Oaklanders it's intended to help.
The amendment will also bottleneck the issuing of licenses to preexisting local businesses trying to come out of the shadows as well as any new businesses trying to launch in Oakland due to the 1:1 permitting process defined in 5.81.030(G) in conjunction with the requirements outlined in 5.81.030(H).
Please pause and reconsider the effects of the amendment as drafted — it is so important the City of Oakland get this right. Please pull the amendments to 5.81 from consent on Tuesday to make certain the ordinance is drafted in a way that truly ensures maximum social equity impact while still allowing the industry to come into the light and flourish.
I applaud Oakland’s intention in adopting its recent Equity Permit Program, but I believe that its unintended consequences will do more harm than good. This system disadvantages many highly impacted drug war survivors. Individuals in West Oakland and Fruitvale will be left out, as will anyone who lives outside the city. Before the amendment anyone who follows the rules could get a permit, but now only a handful may qualify. This will very negatively affect Oakland’s cannabis program and residents. Instead, Oakland should encourage all new and existing cannabis businesses to flourish by removing the amendment.
I’d like to commend the Council for its move to guarantee equity in the cannabis industry boom for those most disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. It's a valiant effort and an important mission. However, the amendment is too narrow in its scope, and does too little to educate and support the Oaklanders it's intended to help.
The amendment will also bottleneck the issuing of licenses to preexisting local businesses trying to come out of the shadows as well as any new businesses trying to launch in Oakland due to the 1:1 permitting process defined in 5.81.030(G) in conjunction with the requirements outlined in 5.81.030(H).
Please pause and reconsider the effects of the amendment as drafted — it is so important the City of Oakland get this right. Please pull the amendments to 5.81 from consent on Tuesday to make certain the ordinance is drafted in a way that truly ensures maximum social equity impact while still allowing the industry to come into the light and flourish.