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New 'University' Goes to Pot

Oaksterdam U. preps students for the medical marijuana industry

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2008 3:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – It's sort of a slacker's med school: An Oakland activist started Oaksterdam University to train students to work in the medical marijuana industry, reports NPR. Oaksterdam offers a single $75 course, which teaches students about pot's political and legal history as well as the botany of the much-loved herb. "You don't want seeds in your cannabis," says the founder. "It's like seedless grapes."

Richard Lee's plan is for the school to revitalize downtown Oakland. "When I went to Amsterdam, one of the big things that struck me was how the cannabis industry there—all of the cannabis coffee shops are intertwined with the rest of downtown," he says. Buying and selling marijuana is still a federal crime, but Oakland officials seem uninterested in pursuing Oaksterdam U.

Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, sits in front of the school's gift shop across the street from the university building in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Lee, a veteran activist and pot-dispensary owner, founded the school in an Oakland storefront. The school prepares people for jobs in California's...
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, sits in front of the school's gift shop across the street from the university building in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Lee, a veteran activist...   (Associated Press)
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, mixes nutrients for growing marijuana, under the glow of yellow hydroponic lights, in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Lee, a veteran activist and pot-dispensary owner, founded the schoo last fall in an Oakland storefront. The school prepares people for jobs in California's medical...
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, mixes nutrients for growing marijuana, under the glow of yellow hydroponic lights, in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Lee, a veteran activist...   (Associated Press)
Marijuana-infused baked goods are displayed at the Coffeshop Blue Sky dispensary, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Oakland, Calif. Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, teaches students how to grow and cook with cannabis, for those interested in working in California's medicinal marijuana industry. The bake goods shown were not made at Oaksterdam...
Marijuana-infused baked goods are displayed at the Coffeshop Blue Sky dispensary, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Oakland, Calif. Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, teaches students how to grow and cook with...   (Associated Press)
In an area of Oakland dubbed Oaksterdam, a man has started up a offers a $75 course, which teaches students about pot's political and legal history, as well as the botany behind the much-loved herb.
In an area of Oakland dubbed "Oaksterdam," a man has started up a offers a $75 course, which teaches students about pot's political and legal history, as well as the botany behind the much-loved herb.   (Shutter Stock)
A binder showcasing high-grade marijuana buds and other cannabis are displayed at the Coffeeshop Blue Sky dispensary, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Oakland, Calif. Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, teaches students how to grow and cook with cannabis, for those interested in working in California's medicinal marijuana industry. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
A binder showcasing high-grade marijuana buds and other cannabis are displayed at the Coffeeshop Blue Sky dispensary, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Oakland, Calif. Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, teaches...   (Associated Press)
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