CANNABIS COLLEGE CROWD TAKES STUDIES SERIOUSLY

According to the folks at Oaksterdam University, it's high time to
settle the debate over legalizing marijuana. We stopped by the
pioneering Oakland cannabis college last week for the grand opening
of its new 30,000-square-foot campus, where 500 students each month
study policy, cultivation, law, science, business and other
components of the cannabis industry. As it turns out, Oaksterdam is a
far cry from Bill and Ted's Excellent University. While the crowd
enjoyed cooking, hash-making and horticulture demonstrations, the
live music ranged from Pink Floyd songs to reggae songs to reggae
versions of Pink Floyd songs. The event was a benefit for the Tax and
Regulate Cannabis California 2010 initiative. The slogan? "Yes We Cannabis."

Brad Lane, 46

Profession: Executive producer of CannabisPlanet.TV/guest auditor, Oaksterdam

Neighborhood: Sunset Beach

Is it tough to keep your grades up in a school that's full of marijuana?

No. When you're in college and partying, school is third or fourth on
your priority list. When you go to Oaksterdam, you're here to learn.

What's Oaksterdam's role in the community?

Maverick leader.

How do you like to mellow out?

Surf, snow, sativa.

Kandis Nelson, 33

Profession: Student/intern, Oaksterdam

Neighborhood: Santa Rosa

Is it tough to keep your grades up in a school that's full of marijuana?

I would not know. I haven't started yet. I hope not.

What's Oaksterdam's role in the community?

Informing the public about cannabis laws and regulations. That's why
I came here.

How do you like to mellow out?

I just relax. Chill.

Salwa Ibrahim, 25

Profession: Spokesperson, Oaksterdam

Neighborhood: Oakland

Is it tough for students to keep their grades up in a school that's
full of marijuana?

Not at all because the students who come here are so motivated it's unreal.

What's Oaksterdam's role in the community?

To provide quality training for the cannabis industry.

How do you like to mellow out?

Working for the cannabis industry, every day is mellow.

Master Bong, 24

Profession: Blogger on masterbong420.com/former Oaksterdam student

Neighborhood: Richmond (East Bay)

Is it tough to keep your grades up in a school that's full of marijuana?

No. It's inspired action. It's not hard when you love what you're doing.

What's Oaksterdam's role in the community?

Giving people a realistic view of marijuana as a medicine.

How do you like to mellow out?

Sit back, put on some good music ... and just smoke.

Ed Rosenthal, 65

Profession: Writer/researcher/teacher at Oaksterdam

Is it tough for students to keep their grades up in a school that's
full of marijuana?

They're paying for the classes, so obviously they want to be here.

What's Oaksterdam's role in the community?

Education. Oakland and San Francisco are epicenters in many ways for
the marijuana industry.

How do you like to mellow out?

I'm pretty mellow these days. I'm a pretty happy person. I still use
marijuana. It still relaxes me.