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Exhibit C: Mayor Quan Recommendation Letter <br />1 FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA • Jim FI OOR • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA M612 <br />Odmoflbi (510)23&3141 <br />Iean Quasi FKK(510)238-0731 <br />Mayor MD_ (510)238-3254 <br />December 31, 2014 <br />To Whom It bray Comem: <br />During my tenure as Mayor of the City of Oakland from 2010 through 2014, I had the <br />pleasure of working closely with Stephen DeAngelc in his rale as Executive Director of <br />Harborside Health Center. Together with his executive team, Mr. DeAngelo has created <br />world-renowned medical cannabis dispensarywhich provides safe and reliable access <br />to medicine forpatients, while alsomaking significant contributions to the City of <br />Oakland in the farm ofjob creation, tax revenue and community involvement. <br />Mr. DeAngelo founded Harborside Health Center in 2006, when Oakland became the <br />fust city in California to regulate the distribution of medical cannabis. Harborside was <br />one of four original dispensaries permitted to operate in Oakland, and quickly rose to <br />become the market leader as Mr. DeAngelo and his staffpioveered the development of <br />methods and practices that have become the gold standard in the industry, making <br />Harborside Health Center a true model for dispensaries throughout the nation. <br />From the outset, Harborside Health Center established cooperative and trusting <br />relationships with local law enforcement and municipal leadership, quickly allaying any <br />early fears of criminal activity that might be associated with the cannabis industry. With <br />over 150,000 patients saved in almost eight years, Harborside Health Center bas not had <br />one incident of violence, armed robbery or burglary and no diversion of its products to <br />the black market. According to Oakland Police statistics, crime has actually decreased— <br />significantly— in the immediate neighborhood surrounding the dispensary since <br />Harborside opened its doors. <br />In addition to the tens of thousands of patients who benefit from Harborside's dedication <br />to providing medical cannabis in a secure and welcoming environment, the entire <br />community of Oakland also sees the positive impact ofHarborside's operations. In each <br />year since its inception, Harborside bas expanded the City's tax base, and is now the <br />second-largest taxpayer in the City of Oakland. The dispensary employs over one <br />hundred local people who joy living -wage jobs, with benefits. Beyomtthat, <br />Harborside enthusiastically participates in a number of community events and initiatives, <br />such as National Night Cam and Oakland's Adopt -a -Spot program, demonstrating the <br />dispensary's commitment to enhancing the community it calls home. <br />Application to Operate a Medical Cannabis Dispensary H81beRlde Health CenterSanLeandro. July 6, M15_ Exhibit C <br />