Oakland gives pot convicts chance to open marijuana businesses as part of reparations for war on drugs
Convicted pot felons that want to own a legal marijuana business in Oakland will now be prioritized under new, radical permit rules designed to make amends for the United States’ war on drugs.
The city’s new Equity Permit Program calls for 50 per cent of all licenses for medical marijuana facilities to go to Oaklanders imprisoned for a pot offence in the last 10 years, or to residents of six neighbourhoods that police have excessively targeted for drug arrests.
“Communities of colour have been negatively and disproportionately impacted by disparate enforcement of cannabis laws,” reads the ordinance introducing the rules.
Oakland city council voted unanimously to approve the program — the first of its kind in the U.S. — last month.
“I believe it’s an attempt not to perpetuate some of the inequities we’ve seen here locally and also in other states,” said Greg Minor, the assistant to Oakland’s city...
This marijuana news is brought to you by 420 Intel. For the latest breaking cannabis industry news, subscribe to the 420 Intel newsletter. If you'd like to promote your product or service in this area after every article, contact us.
Follow us on Instagram
Connect with us on Linkedin