Letter of Appointment
April30,2024
DearPresidentBasandmembersoftheCityCouncil:
PursuanttoCityCharterSection601,theMayorhasappointedthefollowingpersonsasmembersofthefollowingboardorcommission,subjecttoCityCouncilconfirmation:
CannabisRegulatoryCommission
ErikaCisneros,toservetheremainderofatwo-yeartermontheCannabisRegulatoryCommissionrepresentingDistrict5,thatstartedAugust1,2023andendsJuly31,2025,fillingthevacantseatpreviouslyheldbyMattHummell.
M.ChazWalker, to:(1)servetheremainderofatwo-yeartermontheCannabisRegulatoryCommissionrepresentingDistrict2thatstartedAugust1,2022andendsJuly31,2024,fillingthevacantseatpreviouslyheldbyTraceyCorder;and(2)toserveatwo-yeartermrepresentingDistrict2beginningAugust1,2024andendingJuly31,2026.
Thankyouforyourassistanceinthismatter.
Sincerely,
MayorShengThao
Submit Date: Apr 16, 2024
First Name Middle
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Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
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City of Oakland Boards & Commissions
Profile
What City Council district do you live in?
District 7
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Cannabis Regulatory Commission: Submitted
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
I have been a resident of the City of Oakland for approximately 33 years. I am a community oriented and with this position, I will be able to guide future residents who have the desire to pursue their dreams in the industry of Cannabis. I will be able to assist with coming up with well-thought-out strategies to move the City of Oakland in the right direction in this industry.
This industry is always evolving and changing. With my passion and wanting to help the same community I came from, I will be able to learn as much as I can about the industry and give positive feedback that will have a lasting effect on the City of Oakland.
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
Erika Cisneros
Oakland CA 94605
City Of Oakland / City Council
Special Assistant to CM Noel
Gallo
Erika_Cisneros_Resume_-
_Google_Docs.pdf
Erika Cisneros
Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree
*
Erika Cisneros
ERIKA CISNEROS
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Educated and trained in dealing with issues of diversity Proven capability to react quickly and confidently in crises Proven ability to assume leadership positions easily and effectively Ability to quickly earn the confidence of others
Resourceful in solving problems and maximizing resources
EXPERIENCE
Bottom Line Accounting Services, San Leandro, CA - Executive Assistant May 2020-Present
* Process payroll (Hartland/Sure payroll)
* Worker’s compensation Reporting
* Cal Savers Retirement Reporting
* Executive Assistant
* General office clerk (answering phones, translating, emailing) * Court Order Garnishments
Lighthouse Community Charter School, Oakland, CA - Administrative Assistant August 2009 - June 2014
* Translation for students/parents (Special Education Services) * Registrations for new/returning students
* General office clerk (answering phones, making copies, assisting students, dismissal of students)
* Teachers Aide
* After-school Program Assistant
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, Alameda, CA (2014-2016) * Certified Funeral Arranger
Aloha Market, Oakland, CA ( 2016)
* Lead Cashier
Diamond Café , Oakland, CA ( 2017-2018)
* Lead Cashier/Waitress
COMPUTER SKILLS
* Microsoft (Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Word)
* Google Docs/Google Forms
* Expertise in Social Media Platforms
LANGUAGES
* Bilingual (Fluent in Spanish/English)
CERTIFICATES
Chabot Community College, Hayward, CA (2002)
Radio and Television Communications, Associates of Arts (A.A. Degree) Photography, Minor
Oakland Police Department (2014)
Citizen Police Academy Graduate
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Ignacio De La Fuente, City of Oakland Mayoral Candidate (2022) Executive School Board Member - Education For Change (2022-Present) Latitude High School Parent Representative - Education For Change (2022-Present) Brown Girls Surf Program (2016-2017)
Hubert Trenado, Oakland Unified School Board Candidate (2016) Oakland Police Department - Community Outreach (2014)
President of Parent School Board - Head Start (2006)
Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation (2000)
REFERENCES UPON REQUEST
Submit Date: Apr 01, 2024
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City of Oakland Boards & Commissions
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What City Council district do you live in?
District 4
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Cannabis Regulatory Commission: Submitted
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us how your qualifications and participation will relate to the requested board and/or commission's mission.
Introduction My name is M. Chaz Walker. I am a resident of Oakland’s Laurel District (District 4). It has been my home for twenty-three years. My sons were educated here, benefiting tremendously from the rich cultural landscape of Oakland. Adopted by members of the Oakland Eastbay Symphony, they learned to play classical music and traveled the world. The result is my youngest is graduating from film school this spring and his brother is working to earn his PhD in Planetary Physics at 22 years old. I own a small business that specializes in consulting, coaching, and philanthropy. Established in 2002, Oba Dogon SSS is a political/education consulting firm. The community has collectively supported my businesses for thirty-two years. As a result, I owe Oakland, California for all she has given to me and my family. If you accept me, I am ready to serve as an expression of my sincere gratitude.
Experience When I moved to Oakland in 1991 at 24 years old, the school district purchased a program I developed to reduce community violence and improve student outcomes. The students of what was then Westlake Jr. High were resorting to violence to resolve conflicts. In 1990, at this particular school site, Asian/Pacific Islander students were considered above reproach by some members of the faculty, staff, and administration. But being children, they did what all children do; they engage in horseplay and tease each other. When the API, students had disputes with African American and/or Latin X students, some students did feel that they were not all being treated fairly. According to student interviews, African American and Latin X students reported feeling like they were punished when Asian/Pacific Islander students were not. The result was that the students would meet after school, near the campus, to fight. The violence escalated to all-out riots and the community demanded action. When I arrived, the environment was extremely politically charged. I drew heavily on my experience as a community organizer with Los Angeles Jobs For Peace. At the time, the M. Chaz Walker
Oakland CA 94619
Oba Dogon SSS Founder
M. Chaz Walker
organization was working to get minorities and women elected to public office. Our main campaign was “Childcare Not Warfare.”
The goal was to reallocate funds used to develop
nuclear weapons to establish afterschool programs to reduce gang violence.
In this work, I
learned that many students get involved with gangs after school between 3 PM and 6 PM while their parents are still at work. When we established the Westlake Teen Center, we therefore included the after-school component because this data also revealed that students in safe, supportive, and supervised environments between 3 PM and 6 PM are less likely to get involved in gangs Working with my co-coordinator, Rosline Lee, I employed a community organizing methodology to build a coalition of community groups and students on the campus. Under the Direct supervision of School Board Member, Honorable Wilma Chan (RIP), I modified the core program to meet the needs of every coalition member, thus building consensus. The program officially launched on April 20, 1991. The methodologies and strategies we employed are considered standard practice now.
However, in 1991,
implementing a school-wide conflict mediation program teaching students to settle disputes peacefully and effectively was innovative and untested.
Another key component of the
program, eradicating school suspensions and replacing them with in-house suspensions, was also considered thinking out of the box.
Illustrating the lost revenue from suspensions and
the impact on families incentivized the Board of Directors and Superintendent to give the approach a try. Things I learned as a community organizer. Today, it is called restorative justice. A game room was established on campus, open before school, during lunch, and after school, which was considered revolutionary. However, to enjoy this safe space, students had to be respectful. The groups that once fought began to interact in this safe space. Violence decreased as they got to know each other and respect was required to enjoy the space. Another program component was educating the students about each other’s culture.
They began to understand, respect, and appreciate every culture represented at the school site. We produced ten cultural assemblies a year and featured students and professional artists performing together, representing the best of their cultures.
Students
and staff alike learned to value and respect everyone. The culture of the school site changed, and parents and teachers started using democratic parenting/teaching strategies.
In 1991, respecting children and encouraging open communication was not the norm for many parents and/or teachers. As a result of these efforts, they agreed to respect their children as one way to teach the youth to respect each other. Now this is standard practice.
The program received funding from: 1.
Office of Criminal Justice Planning Delinquency
Prevention 2.
The City of Oakland Department of
Parks and Recreation 3.
The Marcus Foster
Institute 4.
Oakland Unified School District. 5.
Spanish Speaking Citizens Council 6.
Asian
Community Mental Health Services My co-coordinator, Ms. Lee, went to Harvard University after the three-month test period.
I chose to build the Westlake Teen Center program into
what it became working with the powerful coalition.
I joined the Asian Advisory Committee
on Crime and was a founding member of the African American Advisory Committee on Crime. The end result is the humble program that became a state model and produced leaders in politics, business, education, law enforcement, entertainment, the trades, etc. The California Department of Education, Senate Bill 65, adopted the Westlake Teen Center model and established outreach consultants at underperforming public schools in California. When I established Oba Dogon SSS in 2002, the goal was to establish comprehensive support programs at other schools. The goal was always to improve public safety by reducing violence and student outcomes. From 2002 to 2007, that was the firm’s primary focus.
However, in 2008, there was a drastic policy shift away from programs teaching students to live peacefully and toward school-site police resource officers. New Direction Cannabis 101 I shifted my focus.
In 2010 I met Richard Lee, founder of Oaksterdam University.
This is the
first Cannabis University established in the United States.
I interviewed Mr. Lee because he
was behind Proposition 19, to legalize cannabis for adult recreational use and expand access to safe, tested products.
I was fair, and I learned a lot about the cannabis industry.
Following
the broadcast, Mr. Lee asked me to meet with him. He shared his views about why Prop 19 did not pass. We also discussed his vision for the future of legal cannabis. One point he emphasized was that for the industry to grow, it must diversify. At the time, most dispensaries were owned by white men with money.
Mr. Lee encouraged me to help the
movement as a business owner with a track record and a user of cannabis. He suggested I start a cannabis company that manufactured and sold edibles to dispensaries.
He explained
the process step by step, including the licenses and doctors’ recommendations I would need to get started.
It was simple in 2010.
Edible Company Step One Richard owned Blue Sky
Café. True to his word, the Blue Sky Café was the first account when I established my company. The Measure Z clubs, Purple Heart, HarborSide, and CBCB in Berkeley all became clients. With Richards's stamp of approval and some guidance, it was easy to get businesses to try my products. When I entered the industry, it was dominated by hippie style free spirits.
M. Chaz Walker
We owe them a great debt of gratitude. However, he also emphasized how important it was to stick to the regulations and provide a safe, tested product if I wanted to build a business that survived and he encouraged me to study and stay on top of what was happening at the policy level, not just retail and manufacturing. What I learned from Richard Lee became the pillars upon which I built my businesses. My experience as a business owner enabled me to excel and my love of the culture and commitment to our cause were assets. The small edible company grew, and then I caught the attention of the cannabis chocolate company.
They
offered me a partnership and I procured raw materials and developed products for this company. Help The Industry Evolve I really began to understand the importance of educating the general public about cannabis and the safe acquisition and consumption of the products.
Folks were taking too many edibles at once and having bad experiences and there were reports of children getting access to cannabis products.
Neither of these things supported
the growth and development of a safe, legal cannabis industry. Discussing these issues with peers in the industry led to the creation of the Cannabis Policy Group.
This Oba Dogon SSS
program focused almost exclusively on developing and implementing a cannabis public information program.
Working with a broad-based coalition of volunteers and industry professionals from policy to retail and advocacy, a campaign was created to meet the needs of several community members.
Policymakers, parents, educators, business owners who
wanted to capitalize on the emerging cannabis economy, religious institutions, educators, and entrepreneurs who wanted to explore opportunities in the world of cannabis attended workshops. Since its inception, the public information campaign has reached approximately 15,800 people in California and throughout the United States. This is a large part of what I do today. 2016 Laws Change Hood Incubator Saves My Cannabis Dream Hood Incubator When laws changed, mom-and-pop businesses like mine could not afford to operate in the industry we helped build.
High licensing fees forced many established businesses that had been around for years to close. In this climate, I transitioned to providing business consultation.
I
had two clients, a cannabis investment company and a cannabis tourism company. Working with the cannabis tourism company, I drew on my experience producing events.
It was an
amazing opportunity to conduct research to identify best practices for producing cannabis events. I also learned to create meaningful cannabis tourism experiences. However, I was just surviving; it was clear that if something did not change, the cannabis business would lose me, too. I produced approximately 23 cannabis events from concerts to conferences and everything in between. Then I learned about the Hood Incubator Fellowship and applied.
Receiving the Hood Incubator Fellowship empowered me and provided my business partner and me with both the philosophical framework and technical skills I needed to advocate for and better educate my community. Through the Hood Incubator, I was also able to access the Uptima Business Accelerator. My business partner and I learned a human-centered business design methodology, developed at Stanford.
This provided an essential tool/skills
we used to grow the business and secure funding.
We focused on establishing an online
cannabis magazine called The 420-411, which provides news about the local, state, national, and international cannabis industry.
Published monthly, the magazine was also used to
educate the public about cannabis culture, promote local business, and encourage the public to support legal businesses.
The 420-411 evolved, sharing information about festivals, conferences, and community events to promote cannabis tourism. There were profiles of local business owners, artists, writers, and musicians and there was a section dedicated to businesses run by women. The whole experience was useful and empowering, and the Hood Incubator Fellowship Pitch Day /Graduation was amazing.
One of the guests was "Freeway
Rick Ross".
Meeting him was a key moment in my quest to support the legalization of cannabis and equity/inclusion.
Rick shared some powerfully inspiring information during our conversation. He emphasized the importance of this opportunity and the potential of legal cannabis and encouraged me to dream big and believe in what we are all working to accomplish. We discussed the importance of creating opportunities for the victims of the “War on Drugs” and both agreed that this significantly contributed to the destruction of urban communities throughout the United States. Essentially, the “War on Drugs” left generations of people traumatized, with many struggling to earn enough money to lift their families out of poverty without risking life and liberty. Since competing in the program, life has been grand. There have been challenges, but I found my lane, so to speak, in the cannabis industry. I established an investment company to support equity operators and expanded the public information campaign by training others to share the information. I also had new opportunities to support policies to help grow the industry.
One such effort is my
work in support of Merritt College’s Cannabis Education Program. The program's goals are to support the growth of the local legal cannabis industry by providing a professionally trained workforce. When the efforts succeed, it will be another potential pathway out of poverty. All this was made possible with the support from my adopted hometown, Oakland, California, M. Chaz Walker
Upload a Resume
and the amazing people who live, work, shop, and love our wonderful city. Before Freeway Rick Ross and I finished our conversation, he looked me in the eye and said, “It’s your hands now, young brother. Your presentation was inspiring. Please learn from what I did right and avoid the mistakes. Righteous intentions count a lot. Righteous intentions are the Blackman’s superpower. Can the legal cannabis industry be a pathway out of poverty for some? “ As we shook hands I responded, “I believe so”. Vision I want to support efforts to improve public safety, and significantly boost our local economy, eradicate abject poverty, increase the quality of life of all residents, and change our cultural landscape. One strategy I support is establishing Oakland, California, as an international tourist destination, creating an enjoyable, memorable experience for our guests that can boost all sectors of the economy and create jobs.
Cannabis tourism can be a tool/carrot we can utilize to encourage tourists to visit our city and support our economic recovery. A key is creating a pleasant experience and having a well-regulated cannabis industry that enjoys the support of policymakers. I am flexible and happy to support diverse points of view. I understand that if granted the opportunity to serve on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, I would represent ‘regular’ people and would support their best interests. Again, I thank Oakland for the support I have enjoyed over the last 30-plus years. I am ready to give back and learn.
Chaz
Walker, Cannabis Policy Advocate and Trend Tracker
Please submit your resume or curriculum vitae. You may upload a document. (A Word format is preferred.) Alternatively, you may paste the text of your resume in the field provided below.
Please paste the text of your resume or curriculum vitae below.
Please click the acknowledgement below.
Service on City of Oakland boards, commissions, and committees may require filings of the FPPC's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). Upon appointment and determination of filing status, I will comply with all filing obligations.
I Agree
*
Chaz_Walker_Resume_Cannabis_and_General_resume_for_Oakland_Cannabis_Regulatory_Commission.01.docx M. Chaz Walker
M. Chaz Walker is the founder of the Oakland, CA based firm, Oba Dogon SSS. Established in 2002, clients include county government agencies, municipalities, school districts, community-based organizations, and the public. The firm’s priorities are improving public safety, eradicating poverty, and supporting the growth and development of the legal cannabis industry. No one is turned away because of an inability to pay for services.
Since 2010, I have been advocating for the development of a safe, legal, equitable cannabis industry.
Richard Lee, founder of Oaksterdam University, encouraged me to establish my first cannabis company. He told me that African Americans and other marginalized people deserved the opportunity to benefit economically from cannabis legalization.
The Hood Incubator Fellowship empowered me by providing both the philosophical framework and technical skills to advocate for and better educate my community. I have been able to connect budding entrepreneurs with resources. All is possible with the support from my adopted hometown. I am ready to give back and learn,
M. Chaz Walker
Cannabis Industry
Entrepreneur/Policy Advocate/Trend Tracker
Objective
To support the growth of the legal cannabis industry in the United States in general and California in particular through advocacy, direct political action, community education by providing micro-funding to equity cannabis companies. Additionally, it support the development of sound cannabis policy, emphasizing the evolution of equity and inclusion.
Cannabis Education
Hood Incubator Cannabis Industry Fellowship 2016
Oakland, California
A one-year fellowship to support African American entrepreneurs establishing legal cannabis businesses in California, partially funded by the City of Oakland.
Magnolia Wellness Cannabis Entrepreneur Boot Camp 2015-2016 Oakland, California
Focused training on the day-to-day operations and regulations of a legal cannabis business in California.
Uptima Business Accelerator 2016-2017
Oakland, California
Applying human-centered business design theory from Stanford University to the legal cannabis industry.
Access to the Uptima program was a component of the Hood Incubator Cannabis Industry Fellowship.
Experience
Grammies Edibles Company, Owner/Founder 2010-2016
Oakland, California
Dank Grasshopper Candy Company, Co-owner 2013-2015
Los Angeles, California
Chocolate company manufacturing cannabis-infused chocolate bars.
Cannabis Policy Group, Director 2012-2023
Oakland, California
Develop and execute a culturally specific cannabis public information campaign. Traveled throughout California, Florida, Alabama, Utah, Louisiana, North Carolina lecturing to promote legalization for medical and recreational use, equity and inclusion, Education general public about benefits of cannabis re The 420-411.com, Publisher 2016-2018
Online cannabis news and culture magazine covering local, national, and international news.
Target audience was the public, industry professionals, and policy makers.
Gen Now Investment Group, LLC, Founder 2020-2023 Oakland, California
Investment company focused on supporting equity cannabis companies, by providing funding, consultation, and technical support.
Oba Dogon SSS Peaceful Vibes Experience, Executive Producer/Host 2021-2022 Oakland, California
Thirteen-month cannabis entertainment research project. Produced events for local venues to re- ignite Oakland nightlife following the pandemic. Using the forum to educate the public about the economic, health, and social benefits of cannabis to build support for the federal legalization of cannabis. Collected data related to successfully producing a cannabis entertainment events in Oakland, CA.
M. Chaz Walker
Consultant Coach Philanthropist
Objectives: To support efforts to improve the quality of life for residents of Oakland California.
Strengths/Skills: Project management, customer service, curriculum development, volunteer/staff recruitment training and supervision, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, (MS Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point); event coordination, general accounting; and annual report production; Additionally, to serve as a liaison between community members, schools, community-based organizations, government agencies and local businesses.
EMS Corps Men’s Life Coach
Alameda County Health Care Services - Developed and implemented Empowered Communities Legacy Leadership 1000 San Leandro Blvd., Ste Program serving adult males of color ages 18 – 25, who are enrolled in the San Leandro, CA 94577 . Alameda County Firefighter and EMT Cadets Program. 20 hour training March 2020 to present design for young men who are entering the public service sector. Coaching for group and individual.
Oba Dogon SSS Founder Post Office Box 19040 Directed daily activities of a political/educational consulting Oakland, CA, 94619 firm; secured new clients, created and nurtured coalitions, developed March 2000 - Present and implemented comprehensive education support programs for students, parents, teachers and administrators and managed multiple projects.
Supervise teams of consultants and 35 volunteers. Produce monthly events and manage Medical Cannabis Urban Education Project.
McCullum Y outh Court Restorative Justice/ Anger Management for Urban Males 287 17th Street, Suite 207 Provided training for middle and high school age male students. Oakland, CA 94612 Produced training materials, prepared reports for parent January 2009- July 2011 agency and provided one-on-one behavior coaching for participants.
Alameda County Waste Consultant/Intern Program Coordinator Source Reduction Management Authority Supervised the implementation of school site waste reduction 777 Davis Street programs; trained school site staff and students; chair weekly San Leandro, CA intern meetings at local High Schools, planned outreach November 2000 – June 2001 activities; produced graphic documents and other training materials.
Launched the program at 4 new sites, taught 3465 students.
Alameda County Public Health Consultant/Independent Contractor Department/(SHEY) Project Secured support for a public health project documenting 5725 M. L. K. Jr. Way high risk youth environments in Alameda County. Conducted Oakland, CA 94703 field interviews and made presentations to community groups, July 1999 – August 2000 churches and elected officials.
I Am Foundation Founder/Director 5725 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Directed daily activities, supervised a team of consultants, Oakland, CA 94609 developed education/recreation programs for youth, September 1995 - June 1999 provided training for students, parents and educators, Oakland Public Schools Education Consultant
Westlake Teen Center Director Westlake Middle School Developed and implemented a model comprehensive support program 2629 Harrison Street for at/high risk youth, parents, and educators. To quell racially Oakland, CA 94612 motivated violence. Manage relationships with broad-based April 1991 - June 1995 community coalition. Program was adopted as a state model, SB65.
Developed site based restorative justice practices.
Richard Allen Institute Consultant/Health Educator 9424 East 14th Street Conducted H.I.V ./A.I.D.S. and drug abuse prevention Oakland, CA 94603 seminars for incarcerated adults and juveniles in Alameda Jan. 1991 - March 1992 County correctional facilities; developed and implemented a youth development program for incarcerated youth.
Memberships
2011-2016 Holy Royal Arch Masons for the State Of California, Abyssinia Chapter #5, Officer 2012 2008-2016 V olunteer, Producer KALX News Department for 90.7 FM, Berkeley, CA 1996 – Present Eli Baker Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, (2010) Coordinator of Mentor Program for 9-17 year males 1999 – Present Victoria Consistory 32nd degree Mason, Education Committee 2006 – 2010, Officer 2012 1995-1996 City of Oakland Violence Prevention Task Force 1993-1994 Oakland Police Department African American Advisory Committee on Crime 1992 -1994 Oakland Police Department Asian American Advisory Committee On Crime Education
1985-1989 California State University Los Angeles, 5151 University Drive, Los Angeles, CA Certifications
Second Step Violence Prevention Program
Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, California
Conflict Mediation Trainer
Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, California
Mentor Program Developer/Mentor Trainer
Student Teen Center Mentoring Training Project, Oakland, California Conflict Mediation Trainer/Program Developer
The Community Board Program, Inc., San Francisco, California Gun Violence Prevention Specialist/ Violence Prevention Advocate Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Los Angeles, California Conflict Resolution Mediator
Conciliation Forums of Oakland, Oakland, California
1) Oakland Residents Unite T o Stop Violence In Their Neighborhood https://youtu.be/JMem4Z-yZ3A?si=vJUcF0lTfpX1D3sW
2) Community tips, surveillance video helps police find suspects in Oakland stray bullet fatality. https://youtu.be/6kNyDyo1_5E?si=YvO5kIA41mVX1X-Z 3) Oakland Peace Chant, Rally Song, Justice For Oscar Grant Campaign, Using art/music to inspire.
https://youtu.be/QN9bH2FYlW0?si=U9upg7HQPUGPiiEg
4) Occupy Oakland Day One, Public Information Campaign KALX 90.7FM Berkeley, CA
https://youtu.be/CKqY4e8XTGA?si=KR84GnzrHAFOpvlx
Office of the President
MERRITT COLLEGE
March 25, 2024
Cannabis Regulatory Commission
City of Oakland
To the Members of the Commission:
I am writing in support of Mr. Chaz Walker’s candidacy for the City of Oakland’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission. I have known Mr. Walker for nearly a decade and I can attest to his experience, expertise, and commitment in the field of cannabis advocacy and education. I would also characterize him as an innovator, entrepreneur, and policy expert. His years of experience bears this out.
Here is a brief overview of his accomplishments and policy positions. Mr. Walker has owned a company that specialized in edible products, as well as a cannabis chocolate business. He published an online cannabis news magazine and is the recipient of a cannabis business incubator fellowship. Finally, he oversaw a marketing/public information that directly engaged over 15,000 individuals. With regard to his policy positions, Mr. Walker supports the complete and unrestricted legalization of cannabis, which will open up domestic and international markets for American-made products and create livable-wage employment opportunities. He also supports pharmaceutical research to explore and expand cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic purposes and is committed to equity and inclusion with regard to state legalization/protection of recreational use (particularly as it relates those who were incarcerated in the past for cannabis- related convictions.
In short, I believe that Mr. Walker can be an even greater asset to our community should he be given the opportunity to serve on the Commission. His circumspection, dedication, and integrity make him particularly well-suited for the role.
Respectfully,
David M. Johnson, Ph.D.
President
Merritt College
Marcus Jefferson
President
MET Resources Inc.
Letter of Recommendation
T o Whom it may concern:
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Mr. Chaz Walker for consideration as a member of the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission. As someone who has had the pleasure of working closely with Chaz, I can confidently attest to his exceptional qualities and suitability for this esteemed position.
Chaz possesses a rare blend of expertise, passion, and dedication that make him an ideal candidate for the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Throughout our professional interactions, I have been consistently impressed by his deep understanding of cannabis regulations and his unwavering commitment to ensuring fair and effective oversight within the industry.
Chaz's extensive background in entrepreneurship, publishing, and campaigning, uniquely positions him to contribute valuable insights to the Commission's work.
Mr. walker is a cannabis policy advocate and trend tracker. He has owned his own edible company and has been owner of a cannabis Chocolate company. Mr.
Walker has also published an online cannabis news magazine for 2 years. He is a recipient of the hood incubator cannabis fellowship. Lastly, since 2010 he reached more than 15,800 people with his benefits of Cannabis public information campaign.
Three of his policy positions are:
• Supporting the complete and total legalization of cannabis and opening national and international markets for American products.
• Supporting the unionization of the Cannabis industry to guarantee jobs that pay a livable wage.
• Supporting pharmaceutical companies doing research into uses of cannabis to treat disease and improve quality of life.
• Supporting equity and inclusion as a component of every state recreational and medical cannabis legalization, with special consideration given to people who are incarcerated because of cannabis related crimes.
Beyond his professional qualifications, Chaz is also a person of integrity, empathy, and strong moral character. He approaches every task with a sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the community. His collaborative spirit and willingness to listen to diverse perspectives make him an effective team player and an asset to any organization he is a part of.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Chaz Walker's candidacy for membership on the Oakland
Cannabis Regulatory Commission. I am confident that he will bring a wealth of knowledge,
leadership, and integrity to the Commission and will work tirelessly to advance its objectives. If you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for considering Chaz for this important role. I am certain that he will excel in serving the interests of the Oakland community and the cannabis industry as a whole.
Regards,
President
MET Resources Inc.
(510) 262-6873
Marcus Jefferson
________________
OGREENA
March 29th 2024
T o Whom it May Concern
Re: Letter of Recommendation for Chaz Walker for Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Dear Commission,
I recommend Chaz Walker for the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Chaz Walker is a Cannabis Policy Advocate and a T rend T racker. He has owned an edible company in Oakland for several years. Mr Walker has also Co-Owned a Cannabis Chocolate Company and has published an Online Cannabis New Magazine for 2 years 2016-2018. Mr. Walker is also a recipient of the hood incubator Cannabis Fellowship.
Since 2010 Chaz Walker has reached more than 15,800 people with his benefits of Cannabis Public Information Campaign. Three of Chaz Walker's policy positions are:
1. Support of the complete and total legalization of cannabis opening up national and international markets for American Products
2. Support of the unonization of the Cannabis Industry to guarantee jobs that pay a Livable wage.
3. Support of pharmaceutical companies doing research into the uses of Cannabis to treat Disease and improve the quality of life.
Chaz Walker also supports equity and inclusion as a component of every state's recreational and medicinal Cannabis Legalization. With a special consideration given to people who were incarcerated because of cannabis related crimes.
Thank you
Far l Shields
Founder of Ogreena
“Free Way” Rick Ross, Hood Incubator Pitch
Oakland, California 2018
Meeting Freeway Rick Ross was a key moment in my quest to support the legalization of cannabis and equity/inclusion. We discussed the importance of creating opportunities for the victims of the “War on Drugs”. We both agreed that the “War on Drugs” significantly contributed to the destruction of urban communities throughout the Unites States. In addition, the, “War on Drugs” left generations of people traumatized with no hope of earning enough money to lift their families out of poverty. Can the legal cannabis industry be a pathway out of poverty for some? I believe so.
Chaz Walker DBA Oba Dogon SSS/Cannabis Policy Group©2018
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY
MAYOR SHENG THAO
RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF ERIKA
CISNEROS AND M. CHAZ WALKER AS MEMBERS OF THE
CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, Section 601 of the City Charter provides that members of City boards and commissions shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the affirmative vote of five members of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland Cannabis Regulation and Revenue Act, also known as Measure Z (and hereinafter referred to as “Ordinance”), adopted by the voters of Oakland, November 2, 2004, in the General Municipal Election, created the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to oversee the Ordinance's implementation and make recommendations to the City Council regarding implementation of City licenses, taxes, and regulations for adult use of cannabis; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland Cannabis Regulation and Revenue Act specifies that members of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission are to be appointed one by the Mayor, one by the City Auditor, one by the City Administrator, and one from each Member of the City Council, to ser ve unlimited two-year terms; and
WHEREAS, for the members that will be appointed pursuant to this Resolution, each one has been selected for appointment by the various applicable Councilmembers and the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, that Ordinance Number 12694 C.M.S., which established the Procedures of the CRC, provides in relevant part “ . . . that an appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired terms only”; and
WHEREAS, subject to confirmation by the City Council , the Honorable Mayor Sheng Thao has appointed Erika Cisneros and M. Chaz Walker to serve out the remainder of two different current two-year terms , and for M. Chaz Walker to serve a subsequent two-year term ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That pursuant to City Charter Section 601, the City Council hereby confirms the Mayor’s appointments to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, as follows:
Erika Cisneros, to serve the remainder of a two-year term on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission representing District 5, that started August 1, 2023 and ends July 31, 2025, filling the vacant seat previously held by Matt Hummell; and
M. Chaz Walker, to: (1) serve the remainder of a two-year term on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission representing District 2 that started August 1, 2022 and ends July 31, 2024, filling the vacant seat previously held by Tracey Corder; and (2) to serve a two-year term representing District 2 beginning August 1, 2024 and ending July 31, 2026.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
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