Oaksterdam University

		Richard Lee Oaksterdam University President Horticulture 101/102 Professor Richard Lee's generosity and commitment to ending cannabis prohibition cannot be topped. He co-founded Legal Marijuana, one of the first hemp stores in the United States. After moving to Oakland in 1997, Lee co-founded the Hemp Research Company, the horticulture and supply research company for the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Club. In 1999, he opened the Bulldog Coffeeshop, the second cannabis outlet in "Oaksterdam". From 2005 to 2007, Richard was the publisher of Oaksterdam News, a popular newspaper with over 120,000 copies circulating around the country. In 2007, Lee founded the first cannabis college in the United States, Oaksterdam University. Since 2005, Lee has been working with the City of Oakland to implement the Regulation and Revenue Ordinance Commission, better known as Measure Z. His dedication to the ending of marijuana prohibition continues to play a crucial role in the revitalization and economic growth of Oakland.
		Robert Raich Cannabusiness 102 Professor Robert A. Raich practices law in Oakland, California, where he specializes in medical cannabis law, business law, political law, and lobbying. A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Texas School of Law, he previously practiced law with Eber, Nakagawa & Kitajo in San Francisco and with the Federal Election Commission in Washington, D.C. Mr. Raich has spoken across the United States and internationally on the regulation of medical cannabis. He was the attorney in both of the U.S. Supreme Court cases ever to consider medical cannabis issues, United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, 532 U.S. 483 (2001), and Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (2005). Mr. Raich was a member of the California Attorney General's Medical Marijuana Task Force (Chairman, Caregiver Issues Subcommittee), and he has taught classes on medical cannabis to cadets at the Oakland Police Department's Police Academy. He has appeared before dozens of tribunals throughout the country, lobbying with respect to medical cannabis legislation and litigating medical cannabis cases. Before practicing law, Mr. Raich served as a staff member in the United States Senate and the Texas House of Representatives, served in various positions in presidential and senatorial election campaigns, was a public opinion survey analyst, and worked as a television sound and camera technician and as a radio reporter. He was the publisher of an art journal, and served on a U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Committee.
		Dennis Peron Politics and Legal Issues 101 Professor Dennis Peron is a marijuana activist and businessman, who was the figurehead for the legality of cannabis throughout the 1990's, influencing many in California and thus changing the political debate of marijuana in the United States. He opened the first medical marijuana dispensary in 1991 in San Francisco (the Cannabis Buyers Club) and co-authored California's Proposition 215, the first medical marijuana state-wide legislation. His marijuana business was busted by authorities in 1978 and 1990, but shortly after the passage of Prop 215 Dennis won the Appeals Court Peron Decision. Based on that decision, cities like West Hollywood, San Francisco, Oakland, and Arcata have allowed caregiver- and patient-run dispensaries to operate within their jurisdictions. Many more cities followed. The legacy of Dennis Peron lives on through the more than 400 dispensaries in California and the 11 other medical marijuana states that have passed similar laws to his Prop 215. Peron has voiced support for decriminalization of all marijuana use as he believes the herb is medicinal just as food is and thus should be available to those who want to benefit from it. Click here to listen to one of Dennis' inspirational speeches at Oaksterdam University.
		Chris Conrad Politics and Legal Issues 101 Professor Chris Conrad has studied cannabis (marijuana) since 1988. He has written two books on the topic and contributed to others. Familiar with numerous books and at least 100 scientific studies, such as federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and National Institute on Drug Abuse data. Reported on cannabis dispensaries for California legislators. Consults with government agencies. Testified at National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine hearings. Regularly consults with physicians including some of the world's foremost authorities on cannabis and patients as to their knowledge and experiences regarding cannabis. Qualified as an expert in cannabis cultivation, sex, genetics, cloning, crop yields, preparation, smell, medical use, personal use, dosage, consumption, sales, and commercial intent. Has hands-on legal participation in the breeding, cultivation, and processing of cannabis in Holland and Switzerland. Since 1991 he has traveled to Europe numerous times to observe cannabis operations. Investigated more than 700 criminal cases, testified more than 150 times. Reviewed scores of police reports and narratives, search warrants, case documents, photos, court transcripts, evidence reports, videos, diagrams, etc. Heard police officers testify at least 100 times. Interviewed scores of defendants and witnesses. Examined, evaluated, weighed and/or measured forensic material at least 250 times, including microscopic exam, photos, root count, site visit and manicure.
		Omar Figueroa Legal Issues 101 Professor Pier 5 Law Office Omar's passion is defending human beings facing criminal charges in federal, state and juvenile courts, specializing in cannabis, medical marijuana, and cybercrime cases. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School, where he concentrated in the field of criminal defense, and completed advanced courses such as White Collar Crime in Silicon Valley, High Tech Crime, Advanced Criminal Procedure, and Cyberspace Law. While at Stanford, he worked as a legal researcher for Stanford Law Professor and high tech crime defense lawyer Thomas Nolan in Palo Alto, as well as a law clerk for the Federal Public Defender in San Francisco. He has been trained by renowned criminal defense lawyer and jury trial master J. Tony Serra of San Francisco, and shares office space with other lawyers at Pier 5 Law Offices, a community of independent sole practioners specializing in aggressive criminal defense. Omar is also a member of the California State Bar, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the Bar Association of San Francisco, California NORML, NORML Legal Committee, Cannabis Action Network, Americans for Safe Access and the Stanford Alumni Association. He is also a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, which is considered the most prestigious and selective trial advocacy college in America. Pier 5 Law Offices (415) 986-5591
		Dr. Frank Lucido Cannabis Physicians Professor Since passage of the 1996 Compassionate Use Act (Prop 215), Dr. Lucido has also been performing Medical Cannabis Consultations. For more information on medical cannabis practice standards/requirements, see: www.medboardwatch.com/implementation-of-7-year-plan.htm Dr. Frank H. Lucido MD has been practicing in Berkeley since 1979. He graduated from University of Michigan Medical School, and completed his Family Practice training through UC Davis. He is on the steering committee of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and is a committed anti-nuclear activist.
		Jeff Jones Oaksterdam University Chancellor, L.A. Campus Jeff Jones has provided expertise in the medical cannabis field to Californians for over thirteen years. He co-founded the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative in 1995; and was named defendant in the OCBC Federal Civil case, one of the longest-running medical cannabis cases in history. Jeff also serves on the Board of the Medical Cannabis Association (MCA) and the Green Aid Medical Cannabis Defense Fund. His active involvement with the Patient ID Center (formerly OCBC) has brought him into contact with thousands of medical cannabis patients, professionals and experts. Jeff and his team recently opened a second ID Center in Los Angeles and re-named the OCBC the Patient ID Center to better reflect both locations. Their mission carries on the tradition of issuing private ID cards and offering patient services such as referrals to compassionate provider groups, caregivers and lawyers in California. Jeff also helped establish Alameda County Patient Services, which provides patients and caregivers official State of California Medical Marijuana ID cards in Alameda County, California. With Jeff's assistance, the City of Oakland became the first the U.S. City to contract with medical cannabis providers in 1998, and implemented a program to issue compassionate provider permits in June of 2004.
		James Clark Legal Issues 101 Professor Pier 5 Law Office A Graduate of the University of Houston, with Bachelors degrees in Political Science and Anthropology, and the University of Colorado School of Law, Mr. Clark's practice focuses on criminal defense for the victims of the "War on Drugs." Court Admissions: Mr. Clark is admitted to practice in all California State and Federal Courts. Significant Example Cases Eddy Lepp; People v. John Barlow; People v. Chan, et al. (San Francisco Medical Marijuana Dispensary). Numerous narcotics, marijuana, medical marijuana, marijuana DUI, and protest/civil disobedience cases. Has obtained several court orders requiring law enforcement officials to return medical marijuana seized from his clients. "The government's unconstitutional "War on Drugs" will ultimately suffer the same demise as other totalitarian regimes. However, until then, know your rights and stand up for them!" - James J. Clark - Pier 5 Law Offices (415) 986-5591 james.clark@colorado.edu
		William Kroger Legal Issues 101 Professor Kroger Law Group William S. Kroger's track record speaks for itself when it comes to defending clients in criminal cases. For over a decade, Mr. Kroger has successfully defended celebrities and well-known executives against criminal charges while upholding their rights and maintaining their privacy during difficult times. Mr. Kroger represents many out-of-state clients, as well as many clients in California, in both federal and state courts. He has appeared in federal court in 10 different states, including New York, Texas, Florida, Michigan,Utah, Wyoming and Mississippi. His knowledge of both federal and state procedures and statutes gives him the edge needed to obtain desirable and efficient results. www.420attorney.com
		Sara Zalkin Legal Issues 101 Professor Pier 5 Law Office A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, for Liberal Arts, Philosophy and Psychology, and the University of California Hastings School of Law, Ms. Zalkin practices strictly criminal defense. Many of Ms. Zalkin's cases involve marijuana, often in the context of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. Court Admissions: Ms. Zalkin is admitted to all California State Courts, the Federal Courts of the Northern and Eastern Districts of California, and has previously been admitted to practice pro hac vice in the Nevada State Courts. Ms. Zalkin is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Pier 5 Law Offices (415) 986-5591 cannabis.counsel@gmail.com
		Shannon Donohue Cooking 101 Professor Shannon Donohue has several years of experience cooking with cannabis and has experimented with many different concentrated forms.
		Sarah Diesel Budtending 101 Professor Sarah Diesel is a dedicated patient advocate in the fight for Medical Cannabis. She has attended public hearings, rallies, and protests in Southern California to promote her cause. Sarah believes ill patients deserve high quality medicine at compassionate prices. She also believes in educating the public about the benefits of medical cannabis. Sarah Diesel has been budtending for three years and is currently managing LAXCC. She is the founder of the "Potluck" girls. She does most of her volunteering for Americans for Safe Access and WAMC (Women Advancing Medical Cannabis). Also, she makes cannabis tea and supplies many dispensaries with this healthy form of medicine. www.sarahdiesel.com
		Don Duncan Politics/Legal Issues 101 Professor Americans for Safe Access Don Duncan has been active in the grassroots campaign for cannabis and medical cannabis law reform since 1994. He is the Co-Director of one of California's oldest and most reputable family of medical cannabis dispensing collectives with locations in Berkeley, Hollywood, and West Hollywood. Mr. Duncan is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation's largest organization promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. He currently serves as California Director. Mr. Duncan has worked closely with elected officials, law enforcement, collective operators, and community members in local implementation efforts in several California cities and counties, and provides private consulting services in the field of medical cannabis. Americans for Safe Access (510) 251-1856 (888) 929-4367
		Joey Ereneta Horticulture 101, 102; Legal 102 Professor Joey began his work with medical cannabis in 1994 while attending U.C. Berkeley. A budding cultivator and harm reduction activist, he collaborated with the folks at Cannabis Action Network, who were providing underground care to local medical patients. Throughout the years of local and statewide political involvement, Joey worked as a health and wellness educator with the Gay Men's Health Collective of the Berkeley Free Clinic; UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies; LYRiC, an LGBT youth center in San Francisco; and at the Harm Reduction Coalition in Oakland. During this time he worked under the tutelage of many talented Bay Area cannabis cultivators and caregivers. In recent years, he has been a consultant for individuals and small patient cooperatives in California. Joey feels blessed to be part of the Oaksterdam family, and is thrilled to be passing on much of what he has learned along the way.
		Dr. David Bearman Cannabis Doctors Professor Dr. Bearman is one of the most clinically knowledgeable physicians in the U.S. in the field of medicinal marijuana. He has spent 40 years working in substance and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. Dr. Bearman was a pioneer in the free and community clinic movement. His career includes public health, administrative medicine, provision of primary care, pain management and cannabinology. His almost 40 year professional experience in the drug abuse treatment and prevention field includes being the Co-Director of the Haight-Ashbury Drug Treatment Program, being a member of Governor Reagan's Inter Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse, a member of both the Santa Barbara and the San Diego County Drug Abuse Technical Advisor Committees, and a consultant to Hoffman-LaRoche, Santa Barbara County Schools and the National PTA.
		Chris Gifford Glassworks Professor Christopher Gifford started blowing glass at the age of 12 yrs. old in Eugene, Oregon. Under Richard Watt who at the time was the glassblowing teacher at the University of Oregon. Eight years later, Chris co-founded his first glassblowing company called African Ash. They went on to win the Cannabis Cup Glassblowing Contest, Amsterdam in 1999 and 2000. Today, Chris has joined up with Oaksterdam and opened Oaksterdam Glassworks where he will be teaching glassblowing and selling Boro glass supplies to assist the glassblowing community in the San Francisco Bay area.