Mixed Emotions Over Mixed-Use

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]n unforeseen aspect of Oakland’s cannabis industry involves cannabis businesspeople who have purchased mixed-use properties that allow for both residential and business purposes, only to parsimoniously evict the tenants for more floor space.

Oakland City Council has become aware of the practice of pushing out tenants, and is in the process of making amendments to Oakland’s cannabis permit structure to protect tenants who live in mixed-use properties that are bought out by cannabis businesses. The lure of the cannabis industry’s powerful money-making turnaround potential needs checks and balances, like any other industry.

An amendment to Oakland’s cannabis permitting ordinance was unanimously passed in its first reading at a special council meeting. “No permit or local authorization shall be issued under OMC Chapters 5.80 or 5.81 to a cannabis applicant at premises where either: work/live use existed as of March 6, 2018, or residential use existed as of March 6, 2018,” the amendment reads.

According to the law, in both cases, this applies irrespective of any reconfiguration of the premises. Rebecca Kaplan, city councilmember-at-large, proposed the ordinance amendment, and she has been involved with Oakland’s adult-use cannabis landscape from the get-go. “Our proposal did pass, which does restrict cannabis permitting in terms of displacing residential use, so that has now passed the first reading in City Council,” Kaplan told CULTURE. “I’m continuing to make sure that we have an industry that’s well-regulated and continues to grow here and create jobs.” On March 20, Kaplan confirmed via phone that the proposal unanimously passed by the city council.

“There’s a whole range of strategies we should be strengthening in terms of how we utilize cannabis permitting without creating conflict.”

Meanwhile, the city government is working on several projects in other areas to help smooth over the licensing process, without stepping on anyone else’s toes. Limiting companies from taking advantage of tenants in mixed-use properties is only one facet of the challenges that lay ahead.

“There’s a whole range of strategies we should be strengthening in terms of how we utilize cannabis permitting without creating conflict,” Kaplan reassured us. “For example, one of the things I’m fighting for is increased support for finding greenhouses. We should really be prioritizing educating and advocating and making land available for greenhouse use in cultivation. That’s both better for the planet, energy use and emissions.”

Kaplan hopes to harness greenhouse capabilities rather than use grow lights, which are more expensive and use more energy. Also, she added, it doesn’t involve displacing residential tenants.

Kaplan said another focus point that’s currently going on in Oakland is the issue of edibles. “The other thing that we’ve been talking about is how to expand our role in edibles. I think edibles production is a great sector for Oakland to excel. We have a long history in the food industry and edibles manufacturing could [help Oakland] to thrive. I think we can really continue to expand as a leader in edibles manufacturing as well.”

Oakland’s city council is ironing out the details of its permitting process, which includes placing certain limitations on business growth practices. It’s good for the community, and it’s good for the integrity of Oakland’s cannabis industry.