Oakland became the first Californian city to permit industrial-size marijuana farms, a groundbreaking decision that could potentially turn the city into the Silicon Valley of weed according to would-be marijuana businessmen.

The City Council voted 5 to 2 to permit large-scale indoor medical marijuana plantations that could bring in as much as $38 million annually in fees and taxes.

If California decides in November to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults, Oakland may get a chance to improve its $31 million deficit and 17 percent unemployment rate.

The new ordinance would require marijuana farmers to pay a $211,000 annual fee, provide security, conduct criminal background checks on employees, install camera surveillance and fire-safe electrical systems, and buy insurance.

After a final approval next week, the city would begin issuing large-scale production permits in January.