Looking for ways to reduce their $80 million dollar deficit, the city of Oakland is proposing a ballot measure in a special July 21^st election this year.  According to the Oakland Tribune the measure calls for a 1.8 percent business tax for Medical Marijuana dispensaries on proceeds of $1,000 or more. That equals out to $18.00 for every $1,000 earned. The City Council collectively agreed for the addition—seeing the approval of such a measure would earn the city $300,000 income—of the ballot. [Ed. note-- Taxing prescription drugs is not the norm in California. Only Illinois does this.] Earlier this week the city was looking into possibly hiring private armed security guard firms to help alleviate the high cost they are paying for the police department alone.

Taxing a medical marijuana dispensary is taking the fight to legalizing marijuana one-step closer. I honestly believe legalizing marijuana will only help the economy as well as reduce violence in the streets.  Wondering what the public thought about this issue I asked my twitter followers: “Real quick someone answer this... Oakland taxing and possibly legalizing Marijuana means...what to you? Positive or negative” One of my followers @minamean replied “legalizing marajuana so rich people can open up pot stores on every corner like starbucks&knock the hustlas off the block…it will give more ppl opportunity,but the rich is gonna capitalize it& eventually make it corporate so mom&pop shops wont get guap”.

That’s many people’s fear, the cats who are making money on the streets won’t be able to make a profit, but I think the market will open to all.