How Oakland's Walmart-ization of Weed Could Choke Out Small-Time Growers

The closer marijuana comes to full legalization status in California, the more likely it is that the plant will be treated like any other crop--that is, as an industrial cash cow that often squeezes out small farmers. And the marijuana industrialization process is, in fact, already beginning. Oakland, California, became the first city this week to allow large-scale industrial marijuana cultivation.

As a result of the new policy, four lucky Oakland marijuana entrepreneurs will be allowed to...