Harborside Health Center - a medical marijuana dispensary with locations in Oakland and San Jose - won First Place in the Indica category at the Second Annual High Times Medical Cannabis Cup held in San

The consumption and cultivation of cannabis, better known as marijuana, is a federal drug offense. For detail on the penalties, see NORML's list. 

Whatever the fate of efforts to legalize recreational use of marijuana at the state level, Oakland is forging ahead on the medical marijuana front. Two medical marijuana items were on the Oakland City Council agenda last Tuesday night. 

First, the Council voted to double the number of permits for medical cannabis dispensaries in the city from four to eight.

While some cities are seeking to restrict or even impose a temporary moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries, Oakland will be considering doubling the number of dispensaries within its jurisdiction.