In the wake of recent crime, Oakland cannabis businesses are requesting that the city and state of California give them a tax break.
In a news conference outside Oakland’s City Hall on Monday, several local cannabis business owners banded together and presented how rising crime has been impacting their ability to run their businesses, according to a news release by Supernova Women, a nonprofit that advocates for women in the cannabis industry.
"We are here today because cannabis businesses in Oakland are under attack," said Amber Senter, CEO of a local cannabis manufacturer and distributor and co-founder of Supernova Women. Along with the crime, "We are further burdened by unsustainable taxes," she said.
According to Senter, the Oakland Police Department reported that hundreds of vehicles have been involved in targeting cannabis businesses in the city and more than 175 shots have been fired by robbers of these businesses.
"This is just so heartbreaking and stomach-turning. We employ 14 people and we have been trying to grow our business since we first started in 2017," said J. Henry Halston Jr., co-founder of cannabis brand James Henry in the release. "The damage and stolen goods represent significant losses that we have to find a way to cover."
In the week of Nov. 15 alone, more than 15 licensed cannabis businesses were robbed and vandalized, the release said.
In order to recover from the ordeal, Senter and other owners are asking for local officials to repeal cannabis taxes for all businesses regardless of size. On the state level, they’re asking for a repeal of the state cultivation tax and a massive cut to the state excise tax.
Along with tax relief, Senter also listed some demands business owners had for OPD – including a cannabis liaison and faster police response and investigations of violent incidents.
"When we are faced with targeted attacks, the effects are magnified," said Senter. "We need more protection, and we need more funds and resources to improve security so that we can protect ourselves."
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