Oakland, California made history today when it legalized large-scale marijuana cultivation for medical use. The city plans to issue up to four permits for “industrial” cultivation starting in 2011. The resolution passed the city council easily after a nearly four-hour debate.

“This is going to grow as an industry. And someone is going to have a high-tech producer,” Council Member Jean Quan said during the debate.

Oakland already taxes sales of medical marijuana, but cultivation has existed in a legal gray area. Council members plan later action to levy new taxes on growers. Many believe this will help pave the way for California to become the first state to legalize marijuana use at the vote in November.