Economics

OP-ED: Vote on Cannabis Equity Program Set for March 7

Published

7 years ago

February 23, 2017

By Carroll Fife, Oakland Justice Coalition

March 7 could be a record day for Oaklanders. That is the day that the Oakland Council will vote on the Equity Permit program, a program introduced by Councilmember Desley Brooks to level the playing field in Oakland’s growing cannabis industry.

The cannabis industry has historically consisted of white male ownership. This includes dispensaries, cultivation centers and marijuana infused product markets. It is also quite expensive to enter the industry with high application fees and proof of funds.

Yet, disproportionately, people of color continue to be incarcerated for the same product that other demographics are getting rich from.

The Equity Permit program will require that at least half of all marijuana permits go to applicants who have at least one member who has been an Oakland resident for at least two years, reside in Oakland police beats, or individuals who, within the last ten years, have been previously incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses as a result of a conviction arising out of Oakland.

The program will require that those mentioned above will maintain not less than 50 percent ownership in the applicant. This is an incredible opportunity to protect Oakland constituents who may have a harder time gaining equity in the cannabis industry.

Recently, Brittany Moore, a Colorado resident, and manager of The Dab Marijuana Dispensary in Denver, visited Oakland and participated in the Equity Permit program discussions with Councilmember Brooks.

“The State of Colorado literally made so much money from marijuana tax revenue, they had to give money back to their residents. Oaklanders will benefit greatly from getting a piece of this multi-billion-dollar pie,” Moore said.

“The trouble is that people of color are typically employed as security guards or occasionally as “budtenders.” I believe the Equity Permit program is a win-win for Oakland and its citizens.”

Councilmember Brooks is working to ensure that people who have been the primary targets of marijuana criminalization are able to benefit from recent law changes.

Her “Do The Right Thing” campaign will help many Oaklanders who want to be in the cannabis industry but otherwise could not.

“Brooks doesn’t want to see wealthy businessmen from out of town come in and make millions while the people of Oakland become victims of gentrification. She wants the members of the community take ownership in the businesses in their neighborhood so they can create jobs and afford to continue to live in the place they call home,” Moore says.

Please call your councilmember, repeatedly, and let them know that you expect them to vote yes for the Equity Permit program.

Please support this effort and attend the Council meeting on March 7 at 5:30 p.m. to demand that Oakland do the right thing in the cannabis industry.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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April 26, 2024

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Business

Black Business Summit Focuses on Equity, Access and Data

The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship. Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

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Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA), answers questions from concerned entrepreneurs frustrated with a lack of follow-up from the state. January 24, 2024 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Lost Angeles, Calif. Photo by Solomon O. Smith

By Solomon O. Smith, California Black Media

The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship.

Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) was a guest at the event. He told attendees about his department’s efforts to increase access for Black business owners.

“One thing I’m taking away from this for sure is we’re going to have to do a better job of connecting through your chambers of all these opportunities of billions of dollars that are coming down the pike. I’m honestly disappointed that people don’t know, so we’ll do better,” said Omishakin.

Lueathel Seawood, the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County, expressed frustration with obtaining federal contracts for small businesses, and completing the process. She observed that once a small business was certified as DBE, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, there was little help getting to the next step.

Omishakin admitted there is more work to be done to help them complete the process and include them in upcoming projects. However, the high-speed rail system expansion by the California High-Speed Rail Authority has set a goal of 30% participation from small businesses — only 10 percent is set aside for DBE.

The importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in economics was reinforced during the “State of the California Economy” talk led by author and economist Julianne Malveaux, and Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Assaults on DEI disproportionately affect women of color and Black women, according to Malveaux. When asked what role the loss of DEI might serve in economics, she suggested a more sinister purpose.

“The genesis of all this is anti-blackness. So, your question about how this fits into the economy is economic exclusion, that essentially has been promoted as public policy,” said Malveaux.

The most anticipated speaker at the event was Janice Bryant Howroyd known affectionately to her peers as “JBH.” She is one of the first Black women to run and own a multi-billion-dollar company. Her company ActOne Group, is one of the largest, and most recognized, hiring, staffing and human resources firms in the world. She is the author of “Acting Up” and has a profile on Forbes.

Chairman of the board of directors of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Alan Simon, a lawyer and the first Black Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor of California, moderated. They discussed the state of Black entrepreneurship in the country and Howroyd gave advice to other business owners.

“We look to inspire and educate,” said Howroyd. “Inspiration is great but when I’ve got people’s attention, I want to teach them something.”