Keep up with Oaksterdam thought leadership, events, news, and announcements on our blog!
Claire Birch was a Berkeley, California-based documentarian who followed much of the early movement toward medical cannabis laws in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Click here for rare footage of Brownie Mary passionately describing her work and why she does it, as well as a contextual interview about her with Dennis Peron.
Dale Sky Jones and Jeff Jones have been referred to as the “First Couple of Cannabis.” Dale is the Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University and Jeff is on OU’s Horticulture Faculty.
Recently, Mr. and Mrs. Jones did an extensive Q&A in Grow Magazine with Writer and Cultivator A.C. Moon. They talked about everything from their first interactions with the plant to where they see the future of the industry. They also discussed whether cannabis makes them better parents, PTSD from persecution, and policies they’d like to see enacted at the federal level along with much, much more …
New Love Films and Oaksterdam University are proud to announce the feature documentary American Pot Story: Oaksterdam took home the prestigious ”Unstoppable” Audience Award on Jan. 26, 2023, after its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival, Jan. 20-26 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Part of the festival’s annual Sparky Awards, the Audience Awards are among the most coveted because they are voted on by Slamdance attendees, reflecting fan favorites and setting the stage for future film festival appearances and commercial success.
Adult-use cannabis is a massive market that will continue to grow over the next decade. The industry's growth means...
Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones was named to Cannabis Now’s 2023 Mount Rushmore of Cannabis Legends Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame appears in the magazine’s print edition, and highlights luminaries that shape the cannabis industry.
The 2023 Mount Rushmore edition recognizes cannabis giants like Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Tommy Chong, Ed Rosenthal. and Steve DeAngelo.
You’re invited to the world premiere of the documentary American Pot Story: Oaksterdam at the world-famous Slamdance Film Festival in Utah.
OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones and OU Faculty Jeff Jones will be in attendance at the screenings.
There will be a panel discussion with LEAP’s Diane Goldstein and Weldon Angelos and an after-party hosted by TRUCE Utah and Dragonfly Wellness.
Come out and celebrate a momentous occasion with us if you are in the area!
The history of the modern dispensary and much of its associated terminology can be traced to the Bay Area, where a group of advocates began to openly distribute medical marijuana in the late 1980s.
At that time, Dennis Peron and “Brownie Mary” Jane Rathbun made national headlines by openly providing cannabis to AIDS patients in San Francisco. A young Jeff Jones saw them on CNN from his home in South Dakota and was inspired to move west to be a part of it.
Read more about the movement in this excerpt from The Budtender’s Guide, Oaksterdam’s new book for dispendary professionals and cannabis consumers.
With adult use cannabis now legal in 21 states plus Washington, D.C., it’s high time to visit Oaksterdam University. So says an article that appeared in Thrillist on Jan. 6, 2023.
The article shares all the details on OU, from classes to price points and more.
In addition, it features two of our esteemed alumni, Tahir Johnson, who hosts the podcast the Cannabis Diversity Report and is set to open a dispensary Simply Pure Trenton in the spring, and Alphonso “Tucky” Blunt, Jr., owner of dispensary Blunts & Moore.
The narrative handed down for generations is that “sativa” varieties are associated with more awake, “caffeine-like” effects that make them ideal to consume during the day, whereas indica products tend to be associated with a full-body high and so-called “couchlock effects” that make them more appropriate to consume in the evening.
Nonetheless, modern analytical testing of so-called true indica versus true sativa varieties identifies few differences in the plants’ analytical makeup and none responsible for these supposed disparate effects. In 2018, cannabinoid scientist Robert McPartland concluded, “Categorizing cannabis as either ‘sativa’ or ‘indica’ has become an exercise in futility. … Ubiquitous interbreeding and hybridization render their distinction meaningless.”
This past year, Oaksterdam University marked a huge milestone: our 15th anniversary! We’re proud to be America’s first cannabis college, still going strong, and fresher than ever. As we wrap up 2022, we want to share some of your alma mater’s achievements. Kick back and read on for our hit list from the past year.
For more and more Americans, cannabis is becoming a beloved part of holiday celebrations. Whether serving infused...
Connecticut’s Social Equity Council (SEC) has selected Oaksterdam University in partnership with reSET, the social impact-focused entrepreneurial support organization based in Hartford, to create and operate a Cannabis Business Accelerator Program in Connecticut.
Technical business assistance and entrepreneurial support are now available through the program to legacy cannabis operators to ensure regulatory compliance and industry best practices, as well as to verified social equity applicants planning to start licensed cannabis businesses. Programming and early networking opportunities will begin this month, with the official launch of the program in January 2023.
Regulated cannabis is an exciting new industry, brimming with opportunity. However, because of the long, fraught legal...
The new year brings a new opportunity to develop your skills. Oaksterdam University’s Business of Cannabis Semester begins Jan. 9, 2023 and is enrolling now. The live course features a capstone project that has students create a business plan lite with guidance and feedback from our expert faculty. We only offer this program once a year, and seats are filling fast.
In 2021, America’s legal cannabis industry added 107,000 jobs, or an average of 280 new jobs daily. It was the fifth year of job growth at 27% or more — the highest industry rate in the nation.
Jobs are available in cannabis businesses, classified as plant-touching, or ancillary businesses, which provide services or products that support the cannabis industry without directly touching the plant.
Just in time for holiday shopping, Oaksterdam University has released The Budtender’s Guide: A Reference Manual for Cannabis Consumers and Dispensary Professionals for pre-sale on Amazon.com.
The book is designed to give both budtenders and consumers the knowledge they need to understand the landscape of cannabis products available in licit markets across the country, along with the history, laws and policies, science, and cultural nuances of the plant.
The book is available now as a Kindle digital download on the Amazon store, priced at $9.99.
Oaksterdam University Dale Sky Jones recently served as a keynote speaker and panel moderator at the California...
Cannabis reformation efforts recently made national headlines as President Biden finally acted on campaign promises to...
Whether running a local, state or federal campaign, it’s vital to concern yourself with cannabis policy. President...
Cannabis jobs are on the rise, and more and more people are looking for employment in this exciting emerging industry....
Careers in cannabis are growing. People at all career stages are entering the field and pursuing cannabis education....
Oaksterdam University is proud to receive a commendation from the City of Oakland celebrating the screening of “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam” at the Oakland International Film Festival on Sept. 24, 2022.
Signed by our long-term ally and advocate Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland vice mayor and councilmember at-large, who has stood by Oaksterdam’s side through raids and political firestorms, the commendation recognizes OU’s past in the cannabis legalization movement as well as our ability “to help guide policy and frame the market of tomorrow.”
Oaksterdam University Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones appeared on the San Francisco Experience Podcast on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Hosted by Jim Herlihy, the news commentary podcast serves listeners in more than 65 countries. Its mission is to offer fact-based analysis from a California/Silicon Valley perspective, featuring newsmakers, thought leaders, and authors as guests.
During her appearance on the show, Dale talked about America’s first cannabis college, medical cannabis, and President Biden’s action on Oct. 6, to pardon all people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law, and review of marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I drug at the federal level.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta received Oaksterdam’s Skill in Combat Award in honor of the work he’s done to legalize cannabis, make it safe, and expunge records for people convicted of non-violent cannabis crimes.
Oaksterdam Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones announced the award at OU’s 15th-Anniversary Event of the Decade celebration on Sept. 24, 2022 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif.
“Dale, thank you for your pioneering spirit and leadership over so many years. Oakland would not be Oakland without Oaksterdam. It’s just a fact,” he said.
Oaksterdam University bestowed its 2022 Good Soldier Awards as part of our Event of the Decade celebration on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif.
Awardees were selected for their dedication to ending the War on Drugs, and were announced by OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones and OU Faculty Jeff Jones before the screening of American Pot Story: Oaksterdam, the closing film of the 20th Oakland International Film Festival.
Dale Sky Jones appeared with Big Steve Parish during the Big Steve Hour on Sept. 29 on the Grateful Dead channel on Sirius XM. Dale presented Big Steve with the Luminary Award for Legacy in Music at Oaksterdam’s Event of the Decade on Saturday night at Fox Theater in Oakland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom honors Oaksterdam University during our 15th Anniversary Event of the Decade at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif. Gov. Newsom’s congratulatory video was played on the big screen before “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam” closed the 20th Oakland International Film Festival.
Mark your calendar and get your favorite method of ingestion ready to roll — Oaksterdam University Day is now an official holiday! The City of Oakland declared November 10 “Oaksterdam University Day” in honor of OU’s 15th anniversary.
Luminaries and dignitaries came out in full force for Oaksterdam University’s 15th-anniversary Event of the Decade...
Time is running out to get tickets for the Event of the Decade. Oaksterdam is celebrating its 15th anniversary on September 24th, 2022 with a movie release party at the Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif.
Come see the film “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam,” meet luminaries in the cannabis movement, and celebrate 15 years of leadership in the industry. The event will include a welcome by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and OU Chancellor Dale Sky Jones.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed an important package of pro-cannabis law into effect just this week, will offer a video introduction to the Luminary Awards, recognizing important advocates in the cannabis movement.
Meet Oaksterdam University Alum Jeanette Wright. We’re highlighting Jeanette this month in honor of our 15th Anniversary Event of the Decade. The party is set for Sept. 24, 2022 during the Oakland International Film Festival, and Jeanette serves as a crucial bridge between OU and OIFF.
Oaksterdam Alumni — 80,000 students from 110 countries around the globe — have gone on to become the biggest leaders, personalities, and change-makers in the history of the cannabis movement. Now, there’s a place for all of us to gather, network and stay in touch. As part of OU’s ongoing 15-Year Anniversary celebration, we’re excited to announce the launch of the Oaksterdam Alumni Network.
Cannabis is America’s fastest-growing industry. Cannabis business professionals are in demand, especially those with specific expertise to operate within the rapidly changing landscape of legal, regulatory, and financial requirements. Opportunities abound for business professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a cannabis business professional.
Oaksterdam University is excited to announce that our longstanding Horticulture Labs are now open to all OU alumni and students. Bring your plant babies, questions, and coffee for a morning chat about all things cultivation.
OU’s “Hort Labs” have been a Friday morning staple for as long as we can remember. Until now, they were open only to students currently enrolled in our live courses. As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary we’re opening the labs to the wider OU community.
Jobs in cannabis are booming, and professional cannabis growers are in demand. Keep reading to learn about what a professional cannabis grower does, what they need to know, their salary and job outlook, and how to get a job growing cannabis.
Professional cannabis growers work in cultivation facilities to grow plants from seed to harvest. There are numerous career paths within the cannabis cultivation industry. Positions range from entry-level trimmers to agronomists, plant breeders, lighting and ventilation consultants, integrated pest management experts, and cultivation directors.
The world’s first cannabis college, Oaksterdam University, celebrates its 15th Anniversary by hosting a grand after-party for a sneak preview documentary screening at the 20th Annual Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF) of American Pot Story: Oaksterdam. Presented in partnership with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the event will take place on Sept. 24, 2022, at the legendary Fox Theater in Oakland, Calif. It will include a screening of the film followed by an after-party and Alumni reunion with confirmed attendance by politicians, press, cannabis industry legends, and celebrities …
Oaksterdam hosted a live webinar with the authors of “The Cannabinoid Cookbook: Transform Your Health Using Herbs and Spices from Your Kitchen.” As part of the event, Chef Daniel Green and Dr. Joseph Feuerstein shared their recipe for Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.
Oaksterdam University is pleased to announce an exciting educational partnership with Golden Gate University. The partnership allows students to transfer credits from Oaksterdam Certification Courses toward their Bachelor’s Degree at GGU. It is the first partnership of its kind.
OU graduates may transfer up to 18 credits of corresponding OU courses toward their accredited degree. Learn more here …
Oaksterdam University Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones sat down during G4Live for a “Watch and Sesh” with Arend Richard, co-founder and creative director of The Weed Tube.
The pair talked about some fun stuff like what Dale originally wanted to be when she grew up, her go-to karaoke song (NOT!), star signs, and Volcano vaporizers. They also discussed serious topics like descheduling, the raid on Oaksterdam, social justice in cannabis, and OU’s reimagined curriculum. Watch the video here …Truffle linguine with a poached egg may sound delicious, but it’s also rich in cannabinoids, compounds that can modulate pain, inflammation, and other ailments.
Learn how to make this dish and how everyday ingredients can heal the body inside and out as Oaksterdam University hosts “Cooking with Cannabinoids” at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST Thursday, June 16, 2022. The public is welcome to the live webinar, which will feature a cooking demonstration and chat with the authors of “The Cannabinoid Cookbook.”Oaksterdam students and alumni recently took a virtual field trip to Alibi Cannabis in Portland, Ore. Read the recap of our tour through the state-of-the-art grow operation and the equipment they use to cultivate their amazing craft cannabis.
If you are a business wishing to host an OU virtual field trip, contact OU Lead Facilitator Samira Hasib at facilitator@oaksterdamuniversity.com, or (510) 251-1544. Alumni are welcome to reach out to Samira to join our next tour!
Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University, and her husband Jeff Jones, Head of Oaksterdam University Horticulture Department, appeared on the Cannabis Talk 101 podcast during G4 Live. Listen as they talk about OU’s vision, ethics, standards, and why they are passionate about education as a pathway to establishing a safe and equitable cannabis industry.
In the debate over cannabis legalization, one of the critical questions is whether cannabis should be rescheduled to a lower schedule or descheduled altogether, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act schedule of drugs. Many advocates, including Oaksterdam University, believe that cannabis must be descheduled. Here’s background on how that can be done at the federal level and how you can help.
Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones is an Official Member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council, an invitation-only network of professionals who share their insights. Dale is frequently asked her opinion on topics relevant to cannabis, business and culture. Here are some excerpts from recent features …
We are so proud of our alumna Rainbow Chavis, CMO of Shinnecock Hemp Growers, for her achievements since graduating from Oaksterdam University.
Rainbow’s work building connections between Indigenous traditions and the modern world of commercial cannabis and hemp was recently featured in a wonderful article by Michael Giotis in the East Bay Express.
In the fast-growing cannabis industry, budtending is a great entry point for a variety of career paths. A budtender job may be up your alley if you enjoy constantly learning about trends and research in cannabis, working in a fast-paced environment, and helping others.
Oaksterdam University coined the term “budtender,” and offers the most respected Budtending Certification program in the nation.
Oaksterdam’s own Horticulture Expert Jeff Jones was featured in the High Times article “Hot Cannabis Seeds to Grow in 2022.” High Times Editor in Chief Ellen Holland checked in with “three ganja growing all-stars” for the piece. Here’s what Jeff had to say …
Oaksterdam is featured in the East Bay Express article “Weed Work: Oaksterdam University is Still Driving Force for Equity in
Cannabis”. The story, which appeared on April 20, 2022, talks about OU’s roots in Oakland, Calif., its move to a virtual campus, and efforts in the equity space. Here’s an excerpt …
Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones appears on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice. Jones joins fellow podcast guest Mila Marshall to talk about challenges surrounding education in cannabis for those new to the industry, as well as long-term veterans in the space.
More media is reporting on cannabis than ever before, requiring common-use definitions of the terms and concepts core to writing about the complexities of cannabis. Until now there have been no common style standards for writing about this subject.
This style guide is designed for use in academia and by any journalist, reporter, writer, or public relations professional. It was composed and edited by the experts at Oaksterdam University and will evolve with use, so we welcome your feedback, input, questions, and requests for clarification.
Need fact-checking or experts to review your content before you publish? Oaksterdam University is proud to announce our new Oaksterdam Cannabis Content Review Service. We invite any journalist, reporter, writer, or public relations professional to submit their cannabis-related work for expert review. Contact media@oaksterdamuniversity.com to inquire.
Oaksterdam University is excited to launch Home Grow — a brand new self-paced virtual course designed especially for the DIY cultivator that provides aspiring cannabis growers with the tools needed to successfully achieve their home cultivation goals, whatever they may be. This course covers essential preparation, equipment, growing media, the plant’s life cycle, nutrient and water needs, pests and pathogens, lighting, harvesting, processing, home extraction, sustainability, and more. The knowledge applies to indoor and outdoor grows of all sizes.
Jobs in Cultivation are great for those looking for hands-on interaction with the plant. Cultivators work in grow facilities keeping plants healthy from seed to harvest. Positions range from entry-level trimmers to highly-skilled agronomists and plant breeders. Whether you have extensive horticulture experience you’d like to transfer to America’s fastest-growing industry, or simply want to get your foot in the door and start learning, there is a position for you in cannabis cultivation. The 2022 Cannabis Salary Guide, just released by CannabizTeam Worldwide, offers insights into jobs in this sector.
On April 2, 2022, Oaksterdam University celebrates a very important milestone in the history of the fight for cannabis legalization and education — marking its 10-year anniversary of surviving an Obama Administration federal raid that threatened to shut down the school and quash the movement at its core. On April 2, 2012, the IRS, assisted by U.S. Marshals and agents from the ATF, and DEA, descended on OU’s thriving campus in downtown Oakland, Calif. They raided OU’s school, dispensary, museum, and OU Founder Richard Lee’s apartment. Though they left nothing but empty desks and chairs behind, the raid didn’t destroy the mission of Oaksterdam …
Oaksterdam University is proud to announce that we are the official Educational Partner of the National Cannabis Festival, set for Saturday, April 23-24, at RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, D.C. The event features concerts, vendors, food, fun, and the new National Cannabis Championship, celebrating the region’s best in homegrown THC and hemp.
Students who take Oaksterdam’s live courses get various networking and event opportunities, including Virtual Field Trips. The trips take students through a variety of facilities in the cannabis industry, led by experts in the field.
This month, we’ve partnered with Kin Slips, a California company that makes sublingual strips. During the field trip on March 25, 2022, Chief Product Officer Joshua Kirby will lead OU students through the Kin Slips manufacturing facility and demonstrate how the product is made from beginning to end.
Students who take Oaksterdam’s courses get various networking and event opportunities, including Virtual Field Trips. The “trips” take students through a variety of facilities in the cannabis industry, led by experts in the field. For students, it’s a chance to see how a real-world canna-business operates, ask questions, and make connections in the industry. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to give back, educate the next generation of cannabis professionals, and build bridges with potential hires.
5.2 min. read Oaksterdam recently joined a coalition of support for AB-2691, which would enable small cannabis producers to vend their products at a limited number of cannabis events annually. As allies of legacy farmers, BIPOC and social equity operators, and craft producers, we are collectively working to ensure that the pioneers who fought to establish the legendary medical cannabis movement of California have an equal opportunity to participate within a viable regulated industry, and to ensure that patients and consumers have safe, affordable access to fresh, high quality craft cannabis products and medicines.
3.6 min. read: With the cloud of cannabis prohibition lifting, cannabis growers are exploring a whole new arena of techniques to preserve cultivars and maximize yields. One of these is tissue culture. Also known as micropropagation, tissue culture is the growth of tissues or cells in an artificial medium separate from the parent organism. This is typically facilitated via the use of a liquid, semi-solid, or solid growth media such as broth or agar. The technique has long been used in farming and horticulture but is just now being applied to cannabis.
Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University, appears on the Cannabis 101 podcast. She talks about OU’s team of talented professionals who are dedicated to upholding the college’s vision, ethics, and standards, and how they are passionate about education as a pathway to establish a safe and equitable cannabis industry.
If you enjoy cannabis, helping others, staying on top of trends and research, and working in a fast-paced environment, a budtending job may be for you. The 2022 Cannabis Salary Guide, just released by CannabizTeam Worldwide, offers insights related to budtending and the jobs it can lead to in the cannabis retail and sales sectors.
2.6 min. read: Some growers have strong opinions about whether it is better to grow from seed or from clones. In reality, there are tradeoffs for both, and the best answer will likely depend on a number of factors. Let’s review and compare the benefits and drawbacks of seeds versus clones.
1.5 min. read: Angela White gives a shout-out to OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones in a recent article in Forbes titled “Creating Space in the Cannabis and Psychedelic Diaspora to Honor Women.” Angela is Equity for Industry Program Manager at Success Centers where she focuses on developing sustainable career paths to communities impacted by the War on Drugs. In the story, Angela gives props to many amazing women in the industry, including Dale. Here’s what she says …
Oaksterdam University recently joined a campaign to oppose Assembly Bill 1725, which seeks to re-felonize the cultivation of only seven cannabis plants in California. Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones penned a letter to Assemblymembers expressing why small cannabis gardens are not a problem, and why we don’t need more small-time cannabis felony prosecutions in the state. Here is a copy of the letter …
Oaksterdam University is proud to introduce the first recipient of our OU & Ed Rosenthal Scholarship for Veterans. We found United States Marine Corps Veteran Paul Lombardo through the Weed for Warriors Project and he’s enrolled in our Horticulture Fast-Track Program this spring. Here, meet Paul and learn why he joined the military and cannabis movement.
Oaksterdam University is proud to sponsor the Community Advocacy Award at the 2022 Budtender Awards, presented at G4 Live, May 11-14 in Las Vegas. Winners will recieve scholarships to Oaksterdam’s Budtending Certification Program. Nominations for this prestigious award are open now.
Cannabis is the fastest-growing industry in the U.S., according to the newly-released Leafly 2022 Jobs Report. The emerging sector now supports 428,059 jobs, up 33 percent from last year. It’s the fifth year in a row of job growth at 27 percent or more — the highest rate of any industry in the nation. Here are more highlights from the report …
Author, Oaksterdam Professor, and Deputy Director of NORML Paul Armentano recently released the latest edition of his book, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids. Learn more in our latest blog and Oaksterdam Interview video.
Oaksterdam University Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones believes higher taxes on cannabis could bolster illegal sales. Find out why in her op-ed for Rolling Stone, as well as a video posted here.
2 min. read: As a budtender, your customers and patients are going to have a wide range of questions about the different methods of ingesting cannabis and dosing guidelines. In many cases, they may turn to you for counsel rather than to their own personal doctor or nurse practitioner. Your customers’ visit to the dispensary may be their first face-to-face communication with any professional, or perhaps anyone at all, regarding their desire to consume cannabis. Here are some things to keep in mind as you field questions from your customers and patients …
Budtenders work in dispensaries or provisioning centers and handle many of the same things anyone who works in retail is familiar with. However, they also deal with responsibilities unique to cannabis, such as product handling protocols, seed-to-sale tracking, and advanced security measures. Most importantly, budtenders must serve not only customers but patients with sensitive health conditions.
The role of a cannabis “budtender” is like a hybrid of a pharmacist and a bartender. A budtender must not only be well-versed in the potential effects of the products they sell and current scientific literature but also be able to provide a pleasant and entertaining experience for their customers. Here are six skills that go into being a great budtender.
Oaksterdam University Alum David Paleschuck, author of Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis, talks to OU about his background, his book, and his 14 cannabis brand archetypes, which helps businesses define their identity, refine their message, and speak directly to their target customers. Find the blog and “Oaksterdam Interviews” video here.
Oaksterdam University Alum Tucky Blunt, owner of the Oakland, Calif. dispensary Blunts + Moore, recently sat down for an interview on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice with Bethany Moore. On the podcast, he tells his amazing story about opening the first dispensary under Oakland’s Cannabis Social Equity Program, and how he attended Oaksterdam University to achieve his goal.
If you grow cannabis, you probably savor its familiar, pungent scent. Your neighbors? Not so much. Whether you’re growing a few plants for personal use, or you’re a commercial cultivator with an indoor facility or outdoor farm, odor mitigation is an important issue. Oaksterdam University experts share insight on how to mitigate that “skunky” smell.
Oaksterdam University, America’s first cannabis college, will offer our Budtending Certification Program LIVE, online in real-time for the first time in spring, 2022. Registration is open now for the virtual four-week course, which begins March 16, 2022. Students who complete the course will get skilled and certified for a Budtending career.
An estimated 321,000 Americans work full-time in the cannabis sector, and that number is only expected to grow. There are a wide variety of positions available in the industry. If you like working with plants, here are seven jobs in cultivation that might be for you.
According to the 2021 Leafly Jobs Report, legal cannabis now supports 321,000 full-time American jobs. Since 2017, the industry has averaged 27.5 percent employment growth each year, outpacing all other industries. Within the cannabis space, there are jobs in cultivation, manufacturing, retail, regulation, marketing, law, and more. Here are some tips from Oaksterdam University on breaking into the cannabis industry.
Paul Armentano, Oaksterdam University faculty member and deputy director of NORML, recently sat down with the L.A. Times Business of Cannabis supplement to discuss cannabis use among seniors. Cannabis use among those 65 and older increased from under 1 percent in 2006 to more than 4 percent today. Older adults frequently report their cannabis use is medical, that it has fewer side effects than their prescription medicine, and their quality of life increased with its use. Seniors report using cannabis to decrease pain, relieve anxiety, and help them sleep.
As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2022, we’d like to reflect on the past year. Looking back, 2021 brought exciting changes to Oaksterdam, from launching new classes and helping cities implement social equity programs, to partnering with industry leaders and chatting on Clubhouse. Here’s a look at our Top 10 highlights …
Each semester, Oaksterdam students complete a Capstone Project, designing a cannabis business or grow facility based on real-world parameters. Here are the winners from our latest course!
Oaksterdam University is among 181 non-profit organizations from 56 countries around the world to sign an open letter to the United Nations calling for transparency and accountability in global “Cannabis Guidelines” efforts. Copies of the letter were sent on Dec. 2, 2021, the first anniversary of the UN vote that downgraded international cannabis prohibition. Since then, concerns have arisen that the INCB is working in complete opacity to come up with proposed global “Cannabis Guidelines” that actually contradict the intentions of that historic vote.
Students who take Oaksterdam’s Live Semester courses get various networking and event opportunities, including virtual field trips. The tours take students through a variety of facilities in the cannabis industry, led by experts. This month, we’ve partnered with OU Alumni and Horticulture Faculty Oscar Burrola to feature his microbusiness, Lifted Spirit Collective. Read on to learn more about our Virtual Field Trip program and how you can host your own.
As you plan this year’s Thanksgiving meal, consider sharing some canna-friendly dishes with the adults at your table, courtesy of Aunt Sandy. “Aunt Sandy” Moriarty is the world’s first published author and teacher of cannabis cooking, and a long-time friend and faculty of Oaksterdam University. Sandy has taught cooking classes at OU dating back to our founding, including a Dizzy Bird Cooking Class each holiday season.
What is a “panic chop”? In the world of cannabis cultivation, the panic chop occurs when growers harvest their crop hastily, earlier than expected, and with the potential loss of profit. Growers panic chop to save their plants from a potentially worse outcome caused by pests, pathogens, weather events, or other factors. During a recent Oaksterdam University Plant Talk on Clubhouse, OU Executive Director Dale Sky Jones asked participants what had caused them to panic chop. Find out what they said in our latest blog.
Oaksterdam University’s Luke Zimmerman, Esq., is featured in the recent High Times article “Do Cannabis Companies Face Consequences for Opposing Home Grows.” The article discusses how some large companies see home growers as a threat to business, and how home growers are pushing back to maintain their right to cultivate cannabis. Luke weighs in.
The hop latent viroid is keeping cannabis growers awake at night. They worry that HLVd will not only cut into profits but decimate entire crops and eradicate prized heirloom varietals. What is the hop latent viroid and how do we stop it?
OU’s Jeff Jones will participate in Cal NORML’s “25th Anniversary of Prop. 215” event, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in San Francisco.
OU’s Chair of Government Affairs Chiara Juster, Esq. recently appeared on Leafly’s potcast “The Roll-Up.” In Episode 214, “Let’s get Mom out of Jail,” Chiara talks about the heartbreaking case of Maria Kinsey.
Mike Jenkins, Ph.D., Vice-Chair of Oaksterdam’s Horticulture Department, marries his passion for optimized cannabis cultivation production with his remarkable background in plant physiology and ecology.
President