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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he lucrative nature of the cannabis industry and the inevitable “Green Rush” are great news, but it’s important to respect other industries and individuals that aren’t as financially secure. Sadly, the growth of some successful cannabis businesses in Oakland ends up pushing out lower income tenants who can’t afford to compete for the same properties. Oakland tenants such as up-and-coming artists in studio spaces who live in live/work properties were hit especially hard.

Oakland Councilmember-at-Large Rebecca Kaplan and co-author Councilmember Dan Kalb introduced amendments to city code to prevent cannabis businesses from pushing out tenants from business fields that don’t rake in as much cash as the cannabis industry can. It’s important to not overlook underdogs who work and live outside of the cannabis industry.

One example involves The Cannery, an inexpensive live/work hybrid warehouse that was home to several struggling artists who live and create art in the same loft or studio spaces. Then Green Sage came along, a large Denver-based cannabis company, and purchased the entire building. The artists who live there say they are now facing eviction, because they simply can’t compete with the kind of money that a cannabis business can yield. Kaplan told local media outlets that there are 25 other live/work locations like The Cannery that are found within Oakland’s “Green Zone” with tenants who could eventually face the same fate.

The amendments don’t have any effect on existing eviction law. Instead, cannabis businesses will be denied permits if they are found to be unfairly displacing tenants. It’s an effective way to stop the businesses from overreaching and bullying poorer tenants. Sadly, the legislation is needed. But according to Attorney Josh Kappel, it’s not so much the cannabis businesses that threaten tenants, but the limited amount of acceptable “Green Zone” areas that end up causing disputes. Still, Kappel supports the measure, because it promotes fairness.

On March 8, the Oakland City Council held a special meeting and approved amendments to the city’s cannabis ordinances, Oakland Municipal Code Chapters 5.80 and 5.81. Permits may be issued under Chapters 5.80 or 5.81 to applicants for properties with live/work or residential uses, the legislation explains, so long as the applicant mitigates potential impacts on existing tenants. Certain exemptions apply, such as legitimate evictions, as long as cannabis business operators and landlords are being reasonable in their actions.

Julie Wedge is Chief of Staff for Councilmember-at-Large Kaplan and a point of communication for the office. She confirmed that the legislation passed its second and final reading and is now law. “There are no further actions needed by council. This ordinance has passed and is law,” Wedge told CULTURE. “However, the council is the legislative branch. Enforcement of laws is done by executive branch so that would mean the chain of command on implementation would be Assistant to the City Administrator Greg Minor, City Administrator Sabrina Landreth  and the Mayor.”

“There are no further actions needed by council, this ordinance has passed and is law. However, the council is the legislative branch. Enforcement of laws is done by executive branch so that would mean the chain of command on implementation would be Greg Minor (Assistant to the City Administrator), Sabrina Landreth (City Administrator) and the Mayor.”

 

While the cannabis industry continues to become stronger, we can’t forget about how it affects our neighbors. Cannabis industry professionals must work together to promote a good reputation for the industry—and the future of the cannabis industry depends on its integrity.

Councilmember-at-Large Kaplan and Kalb’s successful legislation is the first-of-its-kind in the United States, according to KQED. Other cities may take note and pass similar legislation to ensure that cannabis businesses are operating fair and square, and not considered nuisances by neighboring tenants.

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