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.
Blog
Keep up with Oaksterdam thought leadership, events, news, and announcements on our blog!
Dale Sky Jones
President
Meet OU’s NEW Horticulture Program
Oaksterdam is excited to announce our brand new Horticulture Program. We have completely overhauled our most popular course to reflect the latest and greatest tools and techniques in cannabis cultivation in line with the growing commercial market. Our January 2022 virtual Live Semester is enrolling now.
Faculty Feature: Ed Rosenthal
Author, activist, and master grower Ed Rosenthal has just released his newest guide, the Cannabis Grower’s Handbook. Ed has long been an Oaksterdam ally, faculty member, and supporter. In honor of his book release, OU caught up with him for a chat about his background, his book, and his history with OU.
Q&A with Chris Walsh of MJBizCon
Oaksterdam University has a long relationship with MJBizCon, one of the largest cannabis conferences in the country. As the OU Team gears up to attend the 10th-anniversary event, Oct. 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, we caught up with Chris Walsh, President and CEO of MJBiz Daily, to talk about the return of trade shows to Las Vegas, the importance of education in the cannabis space, and why people are sometimes surprised by MJBizCon.
Dale Sky Jones on Minority Report Podcast
OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones recently joined Khadijah Adams on the NCIS Minority Report podcast. The podcast features cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies discussing issues related to social equity and people of color in the cannabis industry.
OU x GrowGen = Education Partners
The first cannabis college and largest hydroponics supplier in America join forces to develop the GroPro Team and empower successful DIY cannabis cultivators around the country.
Comment on COVID & Cannabis
Sensational headlines are proclaiming that cannabis use elevates the risk of COVID breakthrough cases. Is that true? Oaksterdam University Faculty Member Paul Armentano, Executive Director of NORML, says the findings need to be examined closely.
Plant Talk 9/3/21
Oaksterdam University is on Clubhouse every Thursday at 2:20 p.m. PT to discuss Mentorship for Equity Cannabis...
OU Announces Ed Rosenthal Scholarship
Oaksterdam University and legendary Grow Master Ed Rosenthal have joined forces to establish the Ed Rosenthal Scholarship Fund. The fund will assist veterans with tuition scholarships at OU, preparing them for careers in the growing cannabis industry.
OU & Leafly Launch Budtender Day
Oaksterdam University, America’s premier cannabis college, has partnered with Leafly, the world’s most trusted destination to discover and order cannabis products, to launch International Budtender Day on October 20. The annual holiday is designed to honor budtenders around the world who go over and above in this emerging profession.
Dale Sky Jones Joins Rolling Stone Culture Council
OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones has been accepted to the Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of thought leaders and tastemakers shaping the future of cannabis and other industries.
Seed to CEO Podcast: Dale Sky Jones
Since its founding, Oaksterdam has faced federal raids, a fire at its main campus and a global pandemic. Dale Sky Jones, executive chancellor, president and CEO of Oaksterdam, calls such tough times “fertilizer for innovation.” Hear the Oaksterdam story straight from Dale In this episode of Seed to CEO podcast.
Cannabis at 40% THC is a Myth
Cannabis flower is showing up with higher and higher levels of THC. As more states legalize cannabis and growers compete to maximize potency, cultivars with 30 percent THC or more are becoming more common. Topping them all, strains of cannabis have recently cropped up in the news hitting 45 percent THC. Is that even possible?
Domestic Violence Survivor Jailed as Cannabis Patient in Courtroom
Far too often, the voices that should be heard the loudest are instead silenced. On Sept. 7, a brave woman set foot in a Louden County, Va. courtroom to testify against her domestic abuser. Because she admitted that she is a cannabis patient, she was the one who faced judgment. OU Chair of Government Affairs Chiara Juster (pictured) explains why that is wrong.
Support for Ryan’s Law SB-311
Ryan’s Law is an essential first step for terminally ill patients, who, by right, should be provided relief, compassion, and dignity. Cannabis medicine has been recognized as a necessity for a quarter of a century in California. We must demonstrate courage for dying patients with respect and human dignity intact, instead of forcing sleep-inducing opioids like fentanyl.
Faculty Feature: Stefanie Gangano, Ph.D.
Dr. Stefanie Gangano is Co-Chair of OU’s Commercial Extraction and Manufacturing Department. Her deep knowledge of chemistry helps her bring a nuanced perspective to the program. Here, she talks about her career, how she entered the cannabis industry, and how she came to Oaksterdam.
How to Extract 99% Pure THCA “Diamonds”
IN THE NEWS: OU Extracts & Manufacturing Co-Chair Anthony DeMeo published an article in Extraction Magazine on how to make THCA “diamonds.” Find it here.
Mentorship 9/9/21
Oaksterdam University is on Clubhouse every Thursday at 2:20 p.m. PT to discuss Mentorship for Equity Cannabis...
Faculty Feature: Anthony DeMeo
As a “master alchemist” and co-chair of Extraction and Manufacturing at Oaksterdam University, Anthony DeMeo isolates prized components of cannabis in the lab and teaches others his time-tested techniques. Here, Anthony talks with OU about his background in cannabis and his vision for its future.
FECO, Distillate & Isolate: What’s the Difference?
Full Spectrum Oil, Distillate, and Isolate. These three terms are used throughout the cannabis and CBD industries, but are often misunderstood. Here, OU Extracts & Manufacturing Co-Chairs Anthony DeMeo and Stefanie Gangano, Ph.D. explain.
Oaksterdam’s Comment on Senate Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act
The U.S. Senate invited comments on the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, sponsored by Senators Cory Booker, (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden, (D-Ore.), and Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.). Here is Oaksterdam University’s letter to our leaders on this important proposed legislation.
Decriminalizing Marijuana Won’t Stop the Black Market
IN THE NEWS: Oaksterdam Faculty Member Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, offers his views on decriminalizing cannabis in a Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal.
‘I Took a Crash Course at Oaksterdam’ Rapper Redman Says
Oaksterdam Alumni Redman, a rapper, artist, actor, and SiriusXM radio host, gives props to OU in the current issue of Cannabis & Tech Today Magazine.
OU Digital Art NFT Drop Goes Live on OpenSea
The public can bid NOW on the OU Digital Art NFT Drop created to fight the 50-Year War on Drugs. Art is live on the OpenSea platform through Sept. 1, 2021.
OU Prof and Legend Ed Rosenthal Talks Home Cultivation & Social Equity
Oaksterdam Professor and Horticulture Legend Ed Rosenthal was profiled by Benzinga on Aug. 16, 2021. In the article, Ed talks about growing plants as way to reclaim pleasure, enjoyment, and a healthier product. He also talks about why it’s a matter of social justice.
Spring 2021 Capstone Winners
Oaksterdam’s Live Semester Horticulture and Business of Cannabis programs offer the chance to develop a real-world business plan under the guidance of OU’s expert faculty. Here are our 2021 winners.
Digital Art Contest Winners Announced
The results are in and five artists have been declared winners of Oaksterdam University’s first-ever digital art contest for an NFT drop. The contest commemorates the 50-year anniversary of Nixon’s declaration of the War on Drugs by asking artists to create a virtual art piece that shows their passion to deschedule cannabis.
New OU Payment Plans
Enroll now and pay later with a variety of options available now!
Horticulture Semester: New & Improved!
We’ve completely revamped our Horticulture curriculum with a focus on optimal growing conditions, nutrient delivery, integrated pest management, and the latest in lighting options. You won’t find a commercial cannabis class like this anywhere but Oaksterdam University!
Searching for the Fountain of Blue Dream
In the News: Oaksterdam University horticulture instructor Jeff Jones is featured prominently in the Leafly article “Searching for the fountain of Blue Dream in Santa Cruz, CA” by Ellen Holland. Read an excerpt here.
Budtending Certification Program: New & Improved!
1.5 min. read. Budtending is a fast growing field within American legalized cannabis markets. Rise above the competition and get your foot in the door with a Budtending Certificate from Oaksterdam University. New course updates rolled out this summer make the class even more relevant to budding dispensary employees.
Cannabis Business Startup, Financing, and Licensing: Get Certified
2 min. read. A new library of resources and video lectures by our expert faculty make this course more valuable than ever.
New Updates to Live and Self-Paced Courses
3.8 minute read: Oaksterdam University is America’s first cannabis college and always staying on the cutting edge to remain the best. We are proud to announce exciting updates to our live classroom and self-paced courses, making them even more relevant to prepare students for careers in this exploding industry.
Legalization of cannabis should be on Biden’s to-do list
In this op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Oaksterdam University Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones discusses her confidence that President Biden and his team can come to the right decision on cannabis.
10 Things You Might Not Know About Descheduling Marijuana
Did You Know, if the USA descheduled marijuana, we would legalize research in America, for Americans?
California Regulatory Agencies Webinar Series
FREE COVID-19 Response Webinar! Sign up to understand what’s changed for your business
Brownie Mary Democratic Club Monthly Meeting
March 11, 2020
San Francisco, CA
ICBC Berlin
July 29-31, 2020
Berlin, Germany
New Living Expo
April 3-5, 2020
San Mateo, CA
Los Angeles Horticulture Seminar
March 2-6 , 2020
Downtown Culver City, Los Angeles, CA
Cannabis-Infused Wonton Soup for Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year, also known at the Lunar New Year, is this Saturday, January 25, marking the beginning of the Year of the Metal Rat, signifying wealth and financial new beginnings. This is the most important holiday in Chinese cultures, which is a time of celebrations and family reunions, fireworks, and the gifting of wealth in red envelopes as good luck.
Parents Night
January 17th, 2020
Oakland, CA
Aunty Sandy’s Cannabis Creme Brulee Recipe
Try this delicious cannabis-infused holiday recipe, just in time for Christmas dinner. Last month, cooking instructor...
Champ’s Trade Show
February 25-28, 2020
Las Vegas, NV
Brownie Mary Democratic Club Monthly Meeting
January 8, 2020
San Francisco, CA
Class of 2019 Graduation & Celebration
February 1, 2020
Oakland, CA
California’s Commerical Cannabis Licensing/Complaints Workshop
December 3, 9 & 11, 2019
Rancho Cordova, CA
Emerald Cup
Dec 14 & 15, 2019
Santa Rosa, CA
Uruguay Election Symbolizes Growing Cannabis Acceptance
In Uruguay’s past presidential elections, at least one of the candidates would wield strong anti-cannabis rhetoric to elicit support from voters. However, as the people of Uruguay prepare to determine their next president at the end of November, that is proving to no longer be the case.
Cannabis Media Summit
Oct 18-19, 2019
New York, NY
New Jersey Bootcamp
October 26th, 2019
South Orange, NJ
ICBC
February 6-7, 2020
San Francisco, CA
Ask the Experts
September 20, 2019
Oaksterdam University
Vangst Cannabis Career Fair
September 21, 2019
San Francisco, CA
Grow Up Conference & Expo
September 12-14, 2019
Niagara Falls, ON
Rastafari Rootzfest
Dec 20-22, 2019
Negril, Jamaica
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition
Sept 26-28, 2019
LA Convention Center
Medical Cannabis Symposium & Career Fair
August 23 & 24, 2019
Albuquerque, NM
Outside Lands
August 9-11, 2019
San Francisco, CA
Cannabis Business Summit & Expo
July 22-24, 2019
San Jose, CA
Cannabis Pride Celebration
Oakland, CA
July 11th • 7-11pm
Expoweed Mexico
Aug 30 – Sept 1
Mexico City
Women in Cannabis Central Valley Retreat
Oct 4-5, 2019
Hilmar, CA
Champs Trade Show
July 16th – 18th
Las Vegas
ICBC Vancouver
September 15-16, 2019
Vancouver, Canada
ICBC Switzerland
May 15-16, 2019
Zurich, Switzerland
Ignite Missouri
May 19, 2019
St. Louis, MO
Meadowlands
June 6-8
Mendocino County
New Living Expo 2019
April 26-28, 2019
San Mateo
How Weird Street Faire
May 5th, 12pm to 8pm
Downtown San Francisco
MJBizCon NEXT
June 12-14, 2019
New Orleans
American CBD Expo
April 27-28, 2019
San Diego
34th Annual Empowering Women of Color Conference
March 16th, 2019
UC Berkeley
Missouri – Cannabis Business Licensing Bootcamp
April 13th, 20th, 27th, & May 4th
St. Louis, Missouri
ICBC Berlin
March 31 – April 2, 2019
Berlin, Germany
ICBC Barcelona
March 14, 2019
Barcelona, Spain
Champs Trade Shows
Feb 27 – Mar 1, 2019
Las Vegas, Nevada
catalog
CBD Expo
Feburary 9-11, 2019
San Jose Convention Center
Missouri Bootcamp
Missouri - Cannabis Business Licensing Bootcamp (CBLB) The Missouri Opportunity On November 6, 2018, Missouri voters...
NCIA Seed to Sale Show
February 12-13, 2019
Boston, MA
CANORML Meeting
January 21, 2019 • 6:30pm
Oaksterdam University
The Annie Appleseed Project
Feb 28-March 2
West Palm Beach, FL
Canvassing with Libby Schaaf
Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm
Oakland, CA
Cannabis Advisory Committee Meeting
November 8
Fresno, CA
MJBizCon
November 14-16
Las Vegas, NV
Herban Expo
November 9-11
Las Vegas, NV
ICBC
February 7-8, 2019
San Francisco
New West Summit
October 11-13
Oakland, CA