Oakland Set To Expand Number Of Medical Pot Clubs
OAKLAND (AP) - A new ordinance making its way through Oakland's City Council could mean more medical marijuana clubs in the city, but the expansion would come at a price for pot dispensaries.
The Oakland Tribune reported a City Council committee voted unanimously on Tuesday in favor of the measure, which would expand the number of licensed dispensaries from four to eight while doubling the annual fees paid by the clubs from $30,000 to $60,000.
Oakland set a four-club limit in March 2004 to cut back on the abundance of dispensaries in an area of downtown known as Oaksterdam.
New dispensaries would also be charged a $5,000 application fee. Officials say the extra fees reflect a more realistic cost to oversee eight dispensaries.
The full City Council is set to vote on the legislation Oct. 19.
