SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit filed by an environmental advocacy group says a cannabis farm in Oakland is polluting the surrounding community with toxic diesel particulate matter.
Environmental Democracy Project filed suit Aug. 18 against Area51Zero, an indoor "cannabis cultivation facility," in California federal court. EDP is based in East Oakland and says the company is violating the Clean Air Act.
Two huge diesel generators run all day, every day at the facility, the suit says.
"Defendant's unpermitted generators have emitted tons of cancer-causing diesel particulate matter and other pollutants that are inhaled deeply into the lungs of individuals living or working near the facility," the suit says.
"The facility is located near businesses, a weekly farmers market and numerous parks and playing fields. In addition, residents of the encampment for unhoused individuals living in vehicles and tents, located along Wood Street about 250 feet west of the facility, are also exposed to the facility's pollution."
EDP is represented by Lucas Williams of Williams Environmental Law.