Marijuana is always a interesting topic of discussion, no matter what the context of the conversation. Recently the new Obama adminstration, passed legislation regarding clubs and business' that sell marijuana. Protecting them from raids by federal agencies. Oakland has it own subculture devoted to the plant.
Oaksterdam is the city's hub for everything marijuana, there cafes, and clubs. There's also "Oaksterdam University", the first cannabis college. Last year Oaksterdam made between $4-5 million dollars, which also includes bicycle rentals, and glass blowing.
Oakland also voted this pass July, to approve a tax on medical majuana sales for clubs. It's estimated to bring in $ 300,000 per year for the city.
Another successful business was the Harborside Health Center, an Oakland dispensary that provides numerous services, had about $20 million in gross revenues last year and expects to pay $400,000 in taxes to Oakland in 2010. These kind of business' not only help revamp the image of marijuana, making more than just something that high school and college students, spend having their time endulging in. But becomes a very viable form of money in city that is over budget and in debt.
It also helps that the government has an interest, with healthcare reform in an "under-construction" process. The Marijuana industry maybe an option for many that can't afford or don't have healthcare. Which may lead to the complete legalization of the plant.
Plus with all the new smoking laws involving cigarrettes, it forces one to think. Is it possible that complete legalization marijuana might be on the horizon? We will have to stay tuned and see what unfolds.
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