Oakland's medical marijuana dispensaries struggle to open shop

http://www.insidebayarea.com/bay-area-news/ci_21200366/oaklands-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-struggle-open-shop

Oakland granted preliminary approval in March to four medical cannabis dispensary outfits, including Ibrahim's, potentially doubling the number of city dispensaries from four to eight.

That the collective is still expected to be the first of the new dispensaries to open is testament to the impact of a coordinated effort by federal prosecutors to target dispensaries by going after their landlords.

Of the four dispensary teams selected in March, Ibrahim's collective and Tidewater Patients Group still are seeking city approval for their sites. Agramed, the dispensary group formed by businessman Jeff Wilcox, gave up its bid recently. G-8 Medical Alliance was disqualified because of its ties to Dhar Mann, a businessman who was indicted last month on charges that he defrauded the city.

Oakland now is considering awarding permits to two additional dispensary groups: Magnolia Wellness, Inc., and Abatin Wellness, which is associated with television personality Montel Williams.