Comments on: Council reconsiders pot farm permits, discusses redevelopment funds

By: John Russo appoints Barbara Parker as Acting City Attorney – Oakland North : North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:17:33 +0000

[...] Russo, a proponent of failed Proposition 19, which sought to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults, was nevertheless cautious about the city’s plan to permit and tax 8 large pot farms. In February, he told the council that he planned to recuse himself from advising the city on its pot farm plan after receiving warnings from federal and state officials that the farms might violate drug laws. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley had previously expressed similar concerns about the city’s liability regarding its Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance, but the council has been divided over whether or not to amend the ordinance. [...]

By: North Oakland Now: Feds tell Oakland pot farms are illegal; California ranks 44 in kids’ health care – Oakland North : North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:18:05 +0000

[...] The U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement to the Oakland City Council Wednesday notifying council-members that Oakland’s current laws allowing large scale pot farms are illegal. The DOJ letter stated that the department was considering “civil and criminal legal remedies” if Oakland continues with its plans to permit the large farms. Read the whole story by Zusha Ellison on BayCitizen.org. And for our coverage of Tuesday night’s City Council meeting where these issues were discussed at length, read N.O.’s politics reporter Laura Hautala’s story here. [...]