Aim High – Oakland is
Picture from my basement. Seriously, it's from Wikipedia.
Oakland – the highest city in California at sea level is aiming higher. Come November, you may want to think of Oakland as a vacation destination.
If you plan your vacations around where you can get high, you’re probably aware that California has an initiative on the ballot in November to legalize marijuana. Chances are highly likely this will pass and you’ll have yet another place to go get your buzz on.
California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana 13 years ago. After a rocky start, Oakland emerged as a winner with growing schools and distribution shops. However, little tax revenue is realized. For those on the brink of financial meltdown, it’s not enough.
courtesy localharvest.org
The Oakland City Counsel recently came to and learned that allowing major growers to and create pot farms with acreage of growing, rows of baking ovens and the equipment to grow, creation of jobs and tax dollars follows. In one case, the counsel is salivating over the idea of 371 jobs and $1.5 million in tax revenue. It seems a bit small, but with some grow lights, the yield could be bigger.
Amazingly, who are the opponents to this idea? The current collective of growers and distributors who participate in the medical marijuana industry. They’re worried collectives and small growers will be pushed out as someone larger and more efficient arrive, providing the product at a lower price.
It’s inevitable. The rally for California to become the first state to totally legalize marijuana is going to bring in big business and fill the coffers of the local cities and state strapped for cash. That is the sole reason for legalization. There is no other reason for the state to bring this to ballot if tax revenue is not a part of the picture and small co-ops do not bring in revenue (hence the name co-op).
This, though, is a stupid argument. Should people really be scared of Big Pot? And if they are, well, that’s just some bad weed. Who goes to Wal Mart to buy quality product? Small growers will have the high quality weed that everyone wants and pays more for. This will actually benefit the small grower more than they know, they’ll just have a higher tax bill in the end, which does bite.
Regardless of the controversy, pack your bags, but pack light. California is just a state the the Feds don’t take kindly to anyone rubbing their nose in it. Eventually, the question of who has jurisdiction over the state’s legalization of marijuana will be resolved. Oakland will be the new Amsterdam, just without red lights, history and amazing architecture.
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