OAKLAND — As Oakland continues its march to legalize cannabis sales for adults in January when the new state law allowing them kicks in, the city council passed amendments Tuesday to keep the process on track.

The council voted unanimously to move forward with measures authored by Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan to provide temporary local regulations for taxing and regulating cannabis. Kaplan said the amendments were necessary to ensure that approvals for adult use permits don’t get stalled in Revenue and Planning departments because of “cross-departmental delays.” Another measure is aimed to protect the personal information of cannabis license applicants from the federal government.

Under Proposition 64, state law allows residents over 21 to purchase cannabis products for recreational use. But all cannabis businesses must obtain permits from their local cities as well as a state license.

Kaplan said the council vote was necessary to make sure Oakland meets the state’s January deadline.

“Our city has successfully provided permitted medical cannabis dispensaries for over a decade — leading the nation in this effort,” Kaplan said after the vote. “Now, as adult use cannabis sales are about to become legal in California, Oakland has built on this work by providing for adult use sales, in compliance with state and local laws.”


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