EMERALD
NEW DEAL
PRESENTATION FOR
CANNABIS REGULATORY
COMMISSION
MAY 12, 2022
WHAT’S THE EMERALD NEW DEAL
The Emerald New Deal is a community-based, grassroots initiative that seeks to reallocate 100% of the existing Cannabis Tax revenue from the city’s general fund into a newly established Emerald New Deal Fund.
The Emerald New Deal Fund will
re-distribute funds back into the communities that were victimized and affected by the War on Drugs. An Emerald New Deal Planning and Oversight Committee would be created (with majority of the seats allotted to individuals directly impacted by the War on Drugs) to oversee the development, implementation, and distribution of the funds.
END does not change the taxes RATES FOR cannabis businesses.
UPDATES SINCE OUR LAST PRESENTATION
◼ Our list of resident volunteers continues to grow
◼ Conversations with community leaders continues
◼ Launched the equity tours program
◼ Launched the voter registration project for our reentry community members ◼ We have begun the legislative process to get on the November 2022 ballot ◼ Our Sponsors are D5 Rep. Noel Gallo, D6 Rep. Loren Taylor, D7 Rep. Treva Reid ◼ But more importantly, we followed your guidance and held conversations with cannabis business owners
UPDATES SINCE OUR FEBRUARY PRESENTATION
◼ We have begun the legislative process to get on the November 2022 ballot ◼ Our sponsors are D5 Rep. Noel Gallo, D6 Rep. Loren Taylor, D7 Rep. Treva Reid
◼ But more importantly, we followed your guidance and held conversations with members of the cannabis community.a
WE VISITED CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND LEARNED A LOT
Business Outreach
We called, emailed and visited all cannabis businesses listed on the CRC site and via a google search.
We visited corporate businesses, small dispensaries, and contacted delivery businesses.
We learned that out of so many licensed granted, only 8-10 dispensaries with brick and mortar locations have opened or are in the process of opening.
WE VISITED CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND LEARNED A LOT
Business Outreach
NO Business had solidly opposed the Emerald New Deal.
We spoke to 16 of businesses
We secured 5 formal endorsements
We have 4 ongoing conversations for formal endorsements
WE VISITED CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND LEARNED A LOT
Issues mentioned during our outreach
The cannabis equity businesses are struggling the most -- promises made to them were not fulfilled Those who are lucky enough to receive a license, do not have the financial capital to open, often they’ve had to partner with corporate partners.
There is a financial impact and safety concern of robberies Conversation with staff revolved around low wages, limited to no benefits access The business owners play every role: they are the bookkeeper, customer relations, advertising, cashiers, cleanup crew, etc. There is not enough revenue to bring on more staff
WE VISITED CANNABIS BUSINESSES AND LEARNED A LOT
Issues mentioned during our outreach
The cannabis equity businesses are struggling the most -- promises made to them were not fulfilled Those who are lucky enough to receive a license, do not have the financial capital to open, often they’ve had to partner with corporate partners.
There is a financial impact and safety concern of robberies Conversation with staff revolved around low wages, limited to no benefits access The business owners play every role: they are the bookkeeper, customer relations, advertising, cashiers, cleanup crew, etc. There is not enough revenue to bring on more staff
HOW THE EMERALD NEW DEAL SUPPORTS EQUITY CANNABIS
BUSINESS
❏ Currently, there is no funding directly allocated to cannabis equity businesses because the cannabis tax revenues currently go to the general fund ❏ The general fund supports City services, most notably OPD, who provide services to cannabis businesses.
❏ With the END, within the 35% to support existing City of Oakland programs, 20% needs to be allocated to support cannabis equity programs to:
◼Provide a streamlined process for financial grants to support licensed cannabis businesses and
◼Training and hiring cannabis security staff with priority given to hiring re- entry community members.
EMERALD NEW DEAL PUTS THE MOST IMPACTED AT THE
FOREFRONT
◼ One key element to the Emerald New Deal is the makeup of the Committee:
◼ 9 members total, appointed by Councilmembers and the Mayor ◼ 5 members must be individuals or a family member of an individual that was directly impacted by the War on Drugs
◼ 4 members must meet the following criteria
-individual or a family member of an individual that was directly impacted by the War on Drugs -Cannabis Business Owner
-Professional with experience in budgeting, finance,
◼ The committee will develop a strategic investment plan City Administrator
--Collects Cannabis Business
Tax Revenue
--Sets CRC recommendations
which require City Council
approval
-Disperses funding allocation
based on END
recommendation and City
Council approval
END
Authors Strategic
Investment Plan on
how to allocate tax
revenues to
communities most
impacted by the War
on Drugs
CRC
Makes recommendations
to City Council on
taxation, regulations and
permitting of cannabis
businesses
CAN WE COUNT ON THE CRC’S ENDORSEMENT OF END?