Why 'Budding' Entrepreneurs Are Forced Into The Shadows
Rabbi Set To Open D.C.'s Second Medical Marijuana Dispensary
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Oaksterdam University's Dale Sky Jones: On a Marijuana Mission
After years in corporate America, Dale Sky Jones found her calling as head of California's Oaksterdam University, a trade school focused on the marijuana industry.
Posted 10/ 31 10 at 6:00 PM | Entrepreneur Spotlight, Leadership, Legal Issues, Education, Health, Inventions & Innovations
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Have we become a nation of chronic employment? Out in California -- spiritual home to the Grateful Dead, Snoop Dogg, Cheech & Chong and Weeds -- it appears to be the case. According to a 2009 Field Poll, 56 percent of Californians want marijuana legalized, although enthusiasm for Proposition 19, the bill for voters to decide if recreational pot usage is legit for those 21 and older, appears to be burning out as election day approaches. Pass or fail, however, attitudes seem to be shifting all across the country. A recent Gallup poll found more Americans than ever (although still a minority) support legalization, with a whopping 78 percent of self-identified "liberals" saying marijuana should be decriminalized and taxed.The Golden State already has a booming $2 billion medical marijuana industry, and estimates of the total market are at $14 billion, which would make it the state's largest cash crop. For medical patients, 14 other states have followed suit, and a January ABC/Washington Post poll found that Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of allowing doctors to prescribe medical cannabis to alleviate pain and suffering.
For entrepreneurs, there's gold in them thar crops. Richard Lee, who founded one of the nation's first hemp retailers in Houston, is a leader in the blossoming field. In 2007, he founded Oaksterdam University, a trade school with a curriculum focused on the cannabis industry. Today, executive chancellor Dale Sky Jones, a medical marijuana patient who spent years in corporate America, handles the day-to-day operations and expansion projects at Oaksterdam U.
In a wide-ranging interview, Jones, 35, explained how the operations work, why it's such a potential growth industry and who stands to benefit. And for the record, there's no need to ask her about "higher learning," or if students remember to go to class. She's heard it all before, thanks.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I grew up in a rock-and-roll household. My mom was a popular radio host in Miami, who used my teenage years as fodder, but raised me to be a go-getter. My stepfather, who raised me from 10, was a drummer for Grand Funk Railroad and Bob Seger. In true rebellious fashion, I went conservative and got the hell out at 18 to work in corporations. I spent years working in retail and hospitality management for companies like Brown Shoe, Radisson and T.G.I. Friday's. I lived all over, in cities like Seattle and small towns like Casper, Wyo. I learned a lot of best practices that need to be brought to the cannabis industry.
What brought you to California?
I took a job managing a group of doctors in Orange County, which is where I learned about medical marijuana. In 2008, I was sitting in an Oaksterdam class in Los Angeles and the doctor got lost and couldn't make the class. Since I was already teaching patients about it, I stepped in as a facilitator. I'm still teaching today. There's been a lot of red-eye flights, but come hell or highwater, I haven't missed one yet.
Explain how Oaksterdam University got started.
California went through a nasty learning curve after medical marijuana was legalized in 1996. Richard Lee saw an opportunity to teach people not only how to grow and cultivate the crops, but also the history, politics, First Amendment issues and science. Most of us slept through our 8th-grade civics classes. People don't know their rights. One of our faculty members, Robert Raich, was an attorney in the two medical marijuana cases that went before the Supreme Court. Initially, it started out somewhat as a marketing scheme to get people involved in government meetings. We want to educate folks so they become advocates.
How big is Oaksterdam University?
Our mothership is in downtown Oakland, which is where the city's dispensaries are. We have a 30,000-square-foot campus with classrooms, auditoriums, a grow lab and a theater. We have satellite campuses where we hold weekend seminars in Los Angeles, Sebastopol in the North Bay, and in Flint, Mich.
How many students have taken courses, and what are the offerings?
Around 12,000 people have taken classes, everyone from kids out of high school to out-of-work real estate agents to retired law enforcement agents. The weekend seminar is $250 for 12 hours of instruction and a binder full of core source material. The $650 advanced semester program is 32 hours over 13 weeks and features classes like Methods of Ingestion and Cannabusiness. We also offer electives with guest speakers, and a comprehensive hands-on Horticulture Semester.
Is it legal to work with marijuana?
No. Our students work with rosemary, unless they are qualified medical-marijuana patients. We don't dispense. All we do is educate. The marijuana that is grown legally by our gardeners is donated to a local wheelchair-bound woman who suffers from MS and to a nearby AIDS patient.
It must be a challenge running a business with all these legal questions.
It is. We have to walk the line of both federal and state laws. Until marijuana is legalized, this isn't an industry, it's a movement. Right now, I'm almost entirely focused on California's current legalization campaign. I sort of fell into the role as one of the political leaders. This is a for-profit business, we're big fans of capitalism, but right now we're reinvesting everything back into the company and the greater cause.
If marijuana is legalized, what kind of economic benefits do you think California will actually see?
We know it's the largest cash crop, but the size of the black market is tricky. Conservative estimates are that, if controlled and taxed, California would receive $1.4 billion in tax revenue a year. Once it's legitimate, there will be tens of thousands of green jobs for gardeners, farmers and growers. But it's not just marijuana, there's also hemp, which can be used for paper and fiber. There are also all the ancillary businesses like insurance, tech support, cleaning crews and so on. It will be a huge growth market, ideal for single-earner families or people looking for a new career. We haven't had a major new industry in California in decades other than the brief housing bubble and the growth of the prison-industrial complex.
What about those who say it will lead to more crime?
I think taking the power out of the hands of the Mexican drug cartels will lead to less crime, and our prisons won't be so overcrowded. We're way over capacity, and the majority of inmates are non-violent drug offenders. I'd rather have tax dollars going to support law enforcement agencies than illegal revenue going to criminal enterprises.
As more and more states legalize medical marijuana, will Oaksterdam set up shop there?
We plan on partnering with other states, but what we provide is a blueprint. We want to help start programs, but let local communities implement them as they see fit. We still have plenty of places in California to start weekend seminars like San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire.
It seems that discussing the decriminalization of marijuana in a public forum no longer tars politicians with a scarlet pot leaf.
In many parts of the country, we're finally having an honest debate. Cannabis isn't seen like heroin anymore. We've always had science on our side, and now politicians are realizing it isn't necessarily a ballot killer. A lot of small local governments, like in Oakland, love what we're doing because we encourage people to do things the right way. We encourage growers to take off the tie-dye, put on a suit, and come meet with city officials so you're licensed and paying taxes.
And you are a medical marijuana user yourself?
I am a patient, for cyclic vomiting syndrome. It's involuntary and usually an issue reserved for chemotherapy patients. A couple of times a year, I used to go into wicked cycles of dry heaving that required going to a hospital to get hooked up to IVs all night. The only option was a pill, to be taken immediately upon feeling nauseous. Problem is, you can't keep water down, never mind a pill, so I've thrown up some expensive medication. I lost six pounds of water weight in 36 hours last time. Not fun, or pretty. Cannabis doctors recognized my issue was not mysterious allergies but what cancer patients go through, and more importantly, that I can control these triggers to reduce incidents. Once the cycle starts, I can have some hash, immediately feel better, and go about my business rather than curling up in a fetal position, dry heaving all day and night. The plant I can grow in my closet is way cheaper than those pills that didn't work anyway, and I save an average of a thousand bucks out of pocket per hospital trip. This was a revelation I could have used 15 years ago!
It sounds like you've found a calling.
I'm right where I belong. I fell down a rabbit hole and came out on the other side. Twenty years later, I am marching along the same folks from NORML as my mom did 40 years ago.
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Name: Dale Sky Jones
Company: Oaksterdam University
Age: 34
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Founded: 2007
Employees: 30 with another 25-30 part-timers, volunteers and interns
2010 Projected Revenue: $2 million
Website: www.oaksterdamuniversity.com
Patrick Sauer is a contributor for AOL Small Business and a freelance writer for Fast Company, ESPN, Popular Science, Smith and Huffington Post Humor. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Presidents. Originally from Billings, Mont., he now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. For more from Patrick, follow him on Twitter (@pjsauer), or visit www.patricksauer.com.
Patrick Sauer is a contributor for AOL Small Business and a freelance writer for Fast Company, ESPN, Popular Science, Smith and Huffington Post Humor. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Presidents. Originally from Billings, Mont., he now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. For more from Patrick, follow him on Twitter (@pjsauer), or visit www.patricksauer.com.
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Comments (Page 3 of 5)
Let's see if they make it legal the cops can go after the more serious crimes like drunk drivers .The drug cartel's in Mexico won't deal with pot because it will be so cheap .Weed makes you laugh and makes you hungry .Booze makes you depressed and you kill people while you drive .I never knew anyone that smoked a joint and then shot someone .However my roomate when I was in the Army got drunk and shot someone five times .He only got 22 years hard labor at ft levinworth kansas .My dad got drunk got on a plane heading for backeast when he told the stewardess that he had never been in a plane that he didnt have to jump out of before because he was in the army airborne screaming eagles .Needless to say they put the plane down in the next airport and the FBI took my dad away in cuffs for that drunk joke .BOOZE will get you in 1000 times more trouble than any other drug .
Pot is very dangerous just look at all the people who have died laughing watching Cheech & Chong records and movies .
Buddy Love .Is that you Jerry ?............Funny man .
she`s hott
Someone said MEDICINAL?...not if you smoke it, worst than cigarettes as people smoke with no filters. I can see someone in pain or whatever to may get it, but people start with loopholes in Kalifornia already and will only get worst. This is not a drug (medication) for leisure or to have good times, to smoke and go drive your car, is not as bad as alcohol BUT still bad enough to be illegal. This bitch just want to CASH and make profits, I bet she herself don't smoke or care for it.
@ IPD
Finally someone in the know, you nailed in the head brother. I was LE for 23 years, saw all kind of crazy dudes on pot, you guys forget that the side effects are not the same for all....some people can get really crazy and dangerous. Pot is the first step for all other hardcore drugs, people just want more and they get trapped...I saw some real bad junked people on LSD, opium, cocaine...they all started with your MEDICINAL drug, yeah right....WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFE!!
If cocaine was legalized I think the country would be alot better off. Not having to sneak around to geat a little high.
Anne
Most of the "gripes" I have read against legalization here are so ridiculous I can't stop laughing. Examples: “Isolate the chemical that is beneficial and create a drug without the side affect.” Sure, there's a great answer..get the FDA involved, create a chemical drug version of the natural herb. That makes sense. The costs alone there would be ridiculous, and the FDA spews out approval for dangerous concoctions that are recalled later, for the deaths and unknown side effects of the drugs they approved, all day every day. Not to mention the fact that all other herbs are off limits to the FDA which is why they are also not allowed into the country, and hidden from Americans as “healing herbs” and further more are trampled in misinformation campaigns, similar to the one against pot. To say there “are no long term comprehensive studies on marijuana's long term effects because it is ILLEGAL”, is not only FALSE but it is a ridiculous assumption to assume that because a substance is illegal, no one studies it. This statement alone represents one who is completely out of the knowledge loop on this issue. “YOUROLOGY”, you are so full of it it would take an entire essay to outline the absolutely incorrect and outrageous claims you have made against the herb. I, for one, do not believe for one second that you have any degree of any kind. There are hundreds of published medical articles, (written by confirmed professional medical experts, appearing in well accepted medical journals and magazines) detailing the benefits of marijuana, not only in the physical aspects, but also in the psychological field. It would take all day to reply to the absolutely unfounded claims you have made. One should provide sources if you are going to spew this nonsense. Your argument that weed is not a natural herb any more than drugs processed from a flower are not only telling of your ignorance of the process, but of your personal endeavor to spew the very “propaganda” you accuse us all of buying into. By the way, EVERY DRUG DOES NOT come from weeds, plants, herbs or roots, as stated in your article. Where have you been? You sound off on all the distorted opinions that legalization would somehow have “stoned drivers” and inbound ambulances full of marijuana induced individuals at every turn. This is comparable to the accusations responsible for burning witches at the stake. Completely unfounded and absurdly ridiculous. Marijuana is NOT a hallucinogen. I would hope to not see a single word more of your opinions in writing for others to be subjected to without sources (of which you will be dry) and first doing a little homework on this issue. And lastly, NO..the big tobacco companies did not try to introduce cigarettes as medicine. Furthermore, “people and organizations “like” NORML” (not NORML, but similarly founded and people based organizations) are why the truth about tobacco was exposed. Writers like you on the other hand, are a perfect fit for the non fact-based, propaganda spewing, backward and uneducated media sources that spew false and hateful information all day every day. Onto other comments: “The only industry that would come from marijuana is counselors who will be employed to help users stop.” Not only is it a PROVEN SCIENTIFIC UNARGUABLE FACT that marijuana is NOT addicting, but I find it amusing that some seem to believe that the legalization of marijuana is somehow going to increase the addictive factor to the point of all kinds of extra workers needed to handle the users. It would appear that you don't believe there are already users, lifetime users I might add. It is in fact proven, that in countries where marijuana is legal, usage levels for recreation are lower. It is the illegal factor, in and of itself, that increases the recreational use here in the states. NEXT: For those who do not believe that the legalization will create a profitable “industry”, think: It is easy for ANYONE to grow tomatoes. That doesn't mean they all do, and that the tomato “industry” does not do well. That is one of a million examples, I'm sure you get the point. Not to mention, not everyone has the room, or the know-how to successfully grow marijuana. In the medical aspect, a “pretty good plant” is not good enough. As for the MASS COP, you guys think everything should be illegal. NO, marijuana is not the gateway drug. There are a hundred medical studies that say so. I believe the scientists and professional doctors over and above a cop from Massachusetts, any day. There are many reasons that marijuana is currently illegal. Most of those reasons involve money. Money for the fake war on drugs. Money made from guys who are in jail because they got caught with a joint. Money from the under-the-table pot ring run by our government. I go go on and on.. The fact is, marijuana has indeed shown a positive “industry” capability in California, with private “pot shops” paying tax revenues to the state legally, as well as hundreds and hundreds of medical successes in the use of the herb in it's natural form. As mentioned by an educated individual above, vaporizing the herb is the way around inhaling the smoke. If people would focus this much energy into banning the drugs and processes that really are harmful, (i.e. cigarettes with additives, fire retardant paper, rat poison, etc, and alcohol) the world would be a better place. I suggest for those that are aggressive and angry over this issue, ..smoke a joint. You will find that an argument over the last twinkie will be your most aggressive moment.
ALL I KNOW IS I LOVE A GREAT GOLD BLEND ALL NATURAL THAI STICK ,,,, AND EVERYTHING I COOK TASTES GREAT , NOTHING AS INNOCENT AS BE A LITTLE BUZZED HAPPY LAUGHING , COOKING EATING , HANGIN WITH SOME DYNOMITE SWEETIE THAT LOVES ME FOR ME, PEACE AND LOVE , AND PEACE ON EARTH ,
IN YOUR HOME OR WHEN NOT DRIVING AND NOT OPENLY IN FRONT OF CHILDREN , AND CERTAINLY NOT WHEN PRAYING
I think you are a complete liar, or made yourself believe that you were addicted to it. More than likely you were a prick to begin with and the pot mellowed you out. How do I know? I don't know you personally, but my brother is a person who is a prick, that's just him. That's his personality. He started smoking and was the coolest person to be around. When he stopped, he was a prick again. It had nothing to do with the irritability of withdrawal, it was just that he was a natural prick. As for addictive part of it, there's no way for the average person to be addicted. If you are person with an addictive personality anything can be addictive to you such as, but not limited to: Gambling, Alcohol, Porn, Video Games, Spending, Hoarding, etc. It's already one of your traits and smoking pot probably helps you control it, but once you are coming off of it and go back to your natural traits, it's easy to put the blame on something else rather than man up and admit you were messing up.
I was a toker from the seventies and I know for a fact that pot is addictive. If I could not get high every day then I was one mean irritable SOB. I was also a very forgetfull SOB. And as the years went by I needed higher consentrations to keep me high. Weed is a drug, it does not kill as many people as alcohol or the true killer weed, tobbaco, YET, but it will work it`s way up the ladder. I believe weed has it`s place in the medicle field as a very effective pain killer but not to be legalized for people to abbuse. Weed is also a very potent brain cell killer. the one upside, it only took me about three days to get over the depression stage after I quit cold turkey. Another upside, no more cotten mouth, no more munchies and I was also able to quit tobbaco a lot easier than I thought.
I wrote and begged the government not to let Marijuana be legalized the way they have. It was the biggest lost of Revenue that the Federal and State Government could of capitalized on if they would have Monopolized it and made it a government operation.
100% College Funding Plan while Drug free & Plan to pay for it
100% College Funding Plan & Plan to pay for it & High School Cost Refunded
Legalize Marijuana in all States and it must be control by the government. This mean grown harvest and delivered then sold all done by subdivision of the Federal government. When sold it is sold at a price to under cut the black market and this will cut crime. The money from this can go to fund or pay for College Students once graduated as long as they remain drug free. And for any other post education. The legal age to purchase this is age 25 unless you want to have your college paid for and that would be when you complete your first four years. That is why the drinking age should be age 18 and the fact that they can go to war at that age, all states. There would still need to be strict laws of regulation as to where and when smoke it and how much one can have in their possession and public concerts with a non smoker for driving.
Must be drug Free until the age of 25 or have your degree from College for Marijuana.
But there are condition that need to be worked out.
Having over 35 grams is the same as transportation for sell of if found in a vehicle open without a seal on it to transport home is a felony for on at least three charges.
Six months in jail for 35 grams and if you have more than 35 grams it is six months for every 25 grams both have fees that apply: a $2500.00 fine and for every five gram over 35 grams is addition $500.00 fine plus court cost. Trafficking and trafficking for sell and tax evasion.
Having between 5 grams and 34.999 grams in a open bag in a vehicle is a Class Misdemeanor consisting of a $50.00 fine for every 5 grams plus court cost.
Therefore alcohol age limit is lower to 18 and bed a person can serve in war for his country at that age limit.
Paraphernalia is not illegal to have anymore but testing of them can be done for other drugs anytime so if you do get caught with them they could be taken from you for a period of a time to test and if they come back positive for other drugs then a search warrant could be granted to search your home and person property.
My whole Plan is for the Government to grow it, test it and sell it so that it is safe to smoke without other laced chemicals in it. All in a natural state to cover the College Fund. And relieve a burden of taxpayers.
Prevent younger teenagers from smoking it and reducing crime in drug trafficking where guns are used.
And for Medical Purposes.
And it must be sold below the black market price.
It would be legal for a 25 year old carry four joints in a package on them per person in a vehicle. An the operator of the vehicle must not take part in smoking while knowing gone be driving. It is something that should be done at home.
It should not be illegal from growing your own if you desirer but having more than 1 pound at home from growing or from purchasing could get you in trouble with the law unless grown with a permit from this plan and or for medical use.
If they make it legal and I try and grow it in the backyard I bet someone will still rip it off .Damn budnappers .I won't buy a gun to protect a bush so should I put up posters = Reward "Someone stole my bush" if found dont inhale .What's the reward ? A branch off my bush of course .California Penal code justice for budnappers = 20 years hard labor in a pot growing farm .Ok mike put the bong down .
Cole...just because you post your rant over and over, doesn't somehow make it correct. It's like claiming you're a 'maverick' when you're quite simply ignorant of the facts. Maybe you've jumped ship on the 'shouting' gig and swapped it for being repetitive and obnoxious. Put in your 2 cents and wait for a comment or two. I'm not using sarcasm here. How is anyone going to take you seriously when you have only one thing to say? Do you or have you EVER smoked pot? You say NO long term studies when there have been many. The problem with legal government studies, is that they are done with a single 'approved' strain of pot, used since the 50's. Today, most of us would refer to it as 'dirt weed'. Low grade and virtually extinct. We've all heard about pot as 'THE' gateway drug. Yes, lots of drug addicts started with pot, but it was because of how easily it could be obtained versus other drugs. You don't become immune to the effects of pot over time, just a little more tolerant of it. Ask any cigerette smoker about their first few experiences with a smoke and they'll tell you that they became light-headed and possibly a little dizzy. That all goes away after you start to smoke regularly, but the nicotine draws you back for more. Pot doesn't do that. Pot doesn't make you rob the 7-11 so you can buy more, like cocaine or crack or herion. Pot doesn't have the same effects on your lungs as tobacco or coal, as you believe. Pot smokers (not the stereotyped 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High" smokers) don't get blitzed and become non-functional, all day, every day. Newbies do it because they've been led to believe it's cool. Do you describe someone that has a glass of wine while unwinding at the end of the day as an alcoholic? Is someone that has a couple of beers after dinner while watching TV an alcoholic? Why should a person that smokes a bowl after a hard days work be vilified or worse, arrested? They are harming nobody. Do I feel like a lot of people, that we should just legalize it? The answer is no. I buy a yearly permit to go fishing. Some folks buy a permit to go hunting on a yearly basis. I pay for a permit to drive my car. I pay for a permit to keep a dog or cat in my locality. If you've bothered to read some of the other posts, you found those that say taxing won't work because they'll just grow their own. If I'm caught fishing without my permit, I could pay up to a $500 fine. I would accept the same treatment for possesing pot without a valid permit. But, states shouldn't expect to balance their books on the backs of pot smokers. They've already shown us their inability to do what they intend. How many states raised the price of a pack of cigerettes (a known killer) by 3, 4 or 5 bucks a pack to 'off-set the costs of the uninsured' with various diseases caused by tobacco and immediately sucked up those funds for other uses? I wouldn't accept a tax on pot either. Over 50 million people smoke 1/4 to 1/2 OUNCE of pot per week. A much smaller number smoke more than that and an even smaller group smoke excessivly. There will always be those that overuse. (In gov. terms, more than 1 joint a day qualifies as a 'heavy' user - a totally ridiculus (sp) figure if you ask me). What's really needed is a study with people that have smoked pot for 25 years that don't do other drugs, simply because they don't need or want to. Making up statistics about the effects of pot, by using crack and herion addicts is very decieving. After all, they need to blame something other than themselves for moving on to harder drugs. Your 2 reasons for why people smoke pot are so wrong. As a matter of fact, I think you're trying to blow smoke up OUR asses !
THANK YOU!!! Not sure if my last reply went through.
What a lowlife. Medical marijuana is a scam to legalize another crutch, another way to fry your brain, in this country. It's bad enough the destruction caused by alcohol, we don't need another destructive drug legalized.
let's just let the pharmacutical industry take care of all our drug needs. Because we all know they have our best interest in mind. God only put pot here to look at? Keep in mind hemp in a renewable resource for many of our country's needs, from oil to fabric, rope etc. It is also illegal to grow. how ridiculous, Tom Jefferson grew it, give me a break, get over it people. I don't tell you what to do in your leisure time. Go have your cigar & wine . leave me alone.
Prohibition never works. Why do you care if I smoke in the privacy of my own home. Get over it people .
I Might as well Sell Dope to pay For my tuition....