On July 27, 2025, the cannabis community lost one of its most consequential activists: Oaksterdam University founder Richard Lee. Often referred to as the “Mayor of Oaksterdam,” Lee was a paraplegic medical marijuana user turned activist whose business ventures helped transform a struggling area of Oakland into one of America’s cannabis reform capitals. Lee was the driving force behind three of California’s pro-pot initiatives: Oakland's Measure F and Measure Z, and the statewide legalization effort, Proposition 19 (also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010).

In this double-length episode of Cannthropology, we delve deep not only into Lee’s life and legacy, but also into the history of Oaksterdam and its pivotal role in advancing legalization efforts nationwide. Joining host Bobby Black in that discussion are two of the area’s other most prominent cannabis advocates — a married couple who were both very close with Lee, and who both played a huge a part in the revolution he helped bring about there: Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University Dale Sky Jones, and her husband Jeff Jones — co-founder of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative and Executive Director of the Patient ID Center. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Instagram: Cannthropology, TheBobbyBlack

X: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: oaksterdam.com

Facebook: facebook.com/OaksterdamUniversity

Instagram: @oaksterdamuniversity

Hashtags: #oaksterdam #oaksterdamuniversity

Although 47 of the 50 states in our nation now allow legal access to medical marijuana in some form or another, cannabis remains prohibited on the federal level. It’s classified under Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, indicating that the government’s official position is that cannabis has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal value — a status that we all know is obviously false, including federal drug agencies themselves.

How do we know this? Because the US government actually established a legal medical marijuana program of its own over four decades ago — one that, as unbelievable as it may sound, has provided a dozen or so select patients with a steady supply of free weed from Uncle Sam himself. It’s an FDA research project called the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program, or IND.

​​In this episode of Cannthropology, host Bobby Black speaks with one of the last two patients still enrolled in this program — a cataract and glaucoma sufferer turned cannabis activist who was the first female to receive medicinal cannabis through the IND, Elvy Musikka, who discusses the many medical and legal tribulations she’s endured over the years in her struggle to retain her sight, the many friends and allies she made along the way, and how the IND program changed her life. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, TheBobbyBlack

X: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: elvymusikka.com

Facebook: facebook.com/elvy.musikka

Hashtags: #elvymusikka

The World of Cannabis Museum will showcase the influence of cannabis in art, music, film, news, medicine, and politics throughout the past century. From the early days of prohibition and "reefer madness," to its modern-day mainstream momentum and everything in between: from the legendary growers and breeders who created and propagated all of the iconic strains, to the smugglers who distributed them across the globe; from the activists who have fought for legalization, to the celebrities who have embraced it; from America’s headshops to Amsterdam’s coffeeshops; from the counterculture of the 1960s, the excesses of the '70s, and the Drug War hysteria of the '80s, to the rise of medical marijuana in the '90s and the march toward legalization and mainstream acceptance in the new millennium—all of this and more we plan to explore in this unprecedented exhibition. 

© World of Cannabis and Cannthropology are registered trademarks of Velleman Beheer B.V. 

Author Jorge Cervantes has written some of the most influential grow guides of all time, establishing him as one of the world’s most renowned cannabis experts. Over his half-century-long career, Cervantes has published more than 50 books in 11 languages, including Indoor Marijuana Horticulture — the classic “grow bible” that has sold over a million copies. Which is why, despite being forced to hide his true identity for decades, High Times once referred to him as “the most trusted name in marijuana cultivation.”  

​​In this episode of Cannthropology, Cervantes opens up to host Bobby Black about how he fell in love with “mariguana,” what inspired him to begin writing, and his life-long relationships with some of the cannabis community’s greatest icons, as well as what it was like to append three decades living undercover and how it felt to finally come out of the grow closet and shed his disguise.

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: jorge-cervantes.com

Facebook: facebook.com/JoCerv

Instagram: @jorgecervantesmj

Hashtags: #jorgecervantes

The World of Cannabis Museum will showcase the influence of cannabis in art, music, film, news, medicine, and politics throughout the past century. From the early days of prohibition and "reefer madness," to its modern-day mainstream momentum and everything in between: from the legendary growers and breeders who created and propagated all of the iconic strains, to the smugglers who distributed them across the globe; from the activists who have fought for legalization, to the celebrities who have embraced it; from America’s headshops to Amsterdam’s coffeeshops; from the counterculture of the 1960s, the excesses of the '70s, and the Drug War hysteria of the '80s, to the rise of medical marijuana in the '90s and the march toward legalization and mainstream acceptance in the new millennium—all of this and more we plan to explore in this unprecedented exhibition. 

© World of Cannabis and Cannthropology are registered trademarks of Velleman Beheer B.V.

When it comes to stoner tech, it doesn’t get much more historic than the Proto Pipe. Invented in 1970 by an artist and self-taught machinist from Denver named Phil Jergenson, the Proto Pipe was essentially the first pipe explicitly designed with the cannabis consumer in mind. It’s a truly ingenious smoking device that’s loaded with so many different tools and features that it’s become known as the “Swiss Army knife of paraphernalia.” 

​​In this episode of Cannthropology, host Bobby Black speaks with Phil Jergenson’s brother and partner, Richard Jergenson, who reveals the colorful history of how this iconic piece of paraphernalia came to be, how it evolved over the years, how others attempted to steal their idea and their company, and how it’s stood the test of time after half a century. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: protopipellc.com

Facebook: facebook.com/protopipeofficial

Instagram: @protopipe

Hashtags: #protopipe

The World of Cannabis Museum will showcase the influence of cannabis in art, music, film, news, medicine, and politics throughout the past century. From the early days of prohibition and "reefer madness," to its modern-day mainstream momentum and everything in between: from the legendary growers and breeders who created and propagated all of the iconic strains, to the smugglers who distributed them across the globe; from the activists who have fought for legalization, to the celebrities who have embraced it; from America’s headshops to Amsterdam’s coffeeshops; from the counterculture of the 1960s, the excesses of the '70s, and the Drug War hysteria of the '80s, to the rise of medical marijuana in the '90s and the march toward legalization and mainstream acceptance in the new millennium—all of this and more we plan to explore in this unprecedented exhibition. 

© World of Cannabis and Cannthropology are registered trademarks of Velleman Beheer B.V.

On Labor Day weekend 2001, two gay cannabis activists were gunned down by police on their farm in Vandalia, Michigan, after a five-day siege that some have called “The Waco of Weed.” Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm were the owners and operators of Rainbow Farm—a 35-acre property where they hosted annual pro-cannabis festivals (such as Hemp Aid, the Roach Roast, and the World Hemp Expo Extravaganja) that attracted famous performers and activists (such as Tommy Chong, Merle Haggard, and Big Brother and the Holding Company) and became the state’s hub of cannabis legalization efforts. That is, until an ambitious local prosecutor made it his mission to destroy their lives. 

​​In this extended episode of Cannthropology, Bobby Black speaks with Tom Crosslin’s nephew Boss Crosslin Jr., who not only attended all of the events at Rainbow Farm, but has made it his personal mission to uncover the truth behind his uncle’s murder and keep his legacy alive. During this candid interview, Crosslin fondly remembers the good that his uncle Tom and life partner Rollie did for the community, the positive impact of their events, and how the harassment they faced drove them to the desperate acts of defiance that caused their deaths—revealing crucial information from police reports that authorities have tried to cover up. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: rainbowfarms.info  rainbowfarmcamp.com

Facebook: Rainbowfarmsinfo  Rainbow Farm: the Real Story

Instagram: @rainbowfarmsinfo

Hashtags: #rainbowfarm 

The World of Cannabis Museum will showcase the influence of cannabis in art, music, film, news, medicine, and politics throughout the past century. From the early days of prohibition and "reefer madness," to its modern-day mainstream momentum and everything in between: from the legendary growers and breeders who created and propagated all of the iconic strains, to the smugglers who distributed them across the globe; from the activists who have fought for legalization, to the celebrities who have embraced it; from America’s headshops to Amsterdam’s coffeeshops; from the counterculture of the 1960s, the excesses of the '70s, and the Drug War hysteria of the '80s, to the rise of medical marijuana in the '90s and the march toward legalization and mainstream acceptance in the new millennium—all of this and more we plan to explore in this unprecedented exhibition. 

© World of Cannabis and Cannthropology are registered trademarks of Velleman Beheer B.V.

Cannthropology is proud to present the first edition of our new series Unsung Outlaws—shining a light on some of the more obscure OGs of the underground cannabis scene (those who have never made headlines or received any recognition) and giving them an opportunity to share stories of their exploits and adventures.

In this inaugural episode of Cannthropology: Unsung Outlaws, host Bobby Black speaks with an old-school hash smuggler and guerilla grower by the name of William Surgeoner, a.k.a. Canadian Bill. After being busted for weed in his late teens, Bill hitchhiked from Canada down into California to explore the counterculture scenes in San Francisco and Los Angeles before taking off to Europe. He spent several months on the tiny island paradise of Formentera (off the coast of Ibiza), where he enjoyed the hedonistic hippie lifestyle and was given a new nickname—Canadian Bill. There, he met several big-time hash smugglers and became inspired to follow in their footsteps—eventually heading out along the notorious Hippie Hash Trail to Kabul, Afghanistan, in search of a big hashish score. 

Years later, after a brief stint as a Scientologist, Bill became a guerilla grower in California’s Central Coast for decades—narrowly avoiding arrest during a raid thanks to some unexpected assistance from none other than former president George W. Bush. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

This month, stoners around the world will be celebrating our high holiday—April 20th, or 4/20. But how exactly did 420 become the official number of cannabis? Over the years, there have been several myths circulated about it: that it was some police code related to weed, or that it’s the number of chemical compounds in the plant … but believe it or not, the ultimate marijuana meme was actually started over 50 years ago by a group of teenagers in Marin County, California known as The Waldos. How it evolved from an inside joke amongst a handful of high schoolers into the worldwide phenomenon it is today is a truly remarkable story—one that you’re about to hear from some of the founding fathers of 420 themselves. 

In this episode of Cannthropology, host Bobby Black speaks with two of the five original Waldos—Steve Capper and Dave Reddix, aka Waldo Steve and Waldo Dave, who explain the origins behind their groups’ name, how 420 became their secret code for weed, and how two counterculture institutions—The Grateful Dead and High Times —helped spread the 420 phenomenon around the world.  

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. 

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

GUEST LINKS

Website: 420waldos.com

Facebook: 420 Waldos

Instagram: @420waldos

Hashtags: #420 #420waldos #thewaldos

In our latest installment of Cannthropology, we welcome to the show legendary cannabis cultivator, activist, and author, Ed Rosenthal—a.k.a. The Guru of Ganja. In this in-depth interview, host Bobby Black asks Ed about his time with the 60s radical group the Yippies, his friendship with High Times founder Tom Forcade and his long, complicated relationship with the magazine, his controversial arrest and trial in the early 2000s, and his many books and other projects.

Over the past half-century, Ed Rosenthal has authored or co-authored nearly 20 books on cannabis (including 1974’s groundbreaking classic "Indoor/Outdoor Marijuana Growers Guide") which have collectively sold over two million copies. The eccentric cultivator, activist, and educator is also credited with discovering Durban Poison and Afghan #1, and cofounding both High Times magazine and Amsterdam’s famous Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum. It’s no wonder he’s come to be known as “the guru of ganja.”

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black.

Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected].

GUEST LINKS

Website: edrosenthal.com

Facebook: facebook.com/edrosenthal

Instagram: @edrosenthal420

Hashtags: #edrosenthal #asked #hightimes #guruofganja

SHOW LINKS

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420

Twitter: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines

In the latest edition of Cannthropology, host Bobby Black speaks with legendary cannabis activist, author, cultivator, collector—and fellow cannthropologist—Todd McCormick. McCormick reflects back on his lifelong legal battle for medical marijuana, his time in prison, his many book and film projects, his new seed company Authentic Genetics, and his friendships with numerous OG cannabis activism and cultivation icons (such as Jack Herer, Dr. Tod Mikuriya, Brownie Mary, and Dennis Peron), as well as pro-pot celebrities like Bill Maher, Woody Harrelson, Larry Flynt, Hugh Hefner, and Tommy Chong. 

The World of Cannabis Museum Project presents: Cannthropology—the potcast that explores the history of cannabis culture one artifact and interview at a time. Hosted by World of Cannabis executive director and marijuana media icon Bobby Black. Read our Cannthropology blog at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology and in our official media partner Leaf Magazine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast, please contact us at [email protected]. 

SHOW LINKS 

Website: worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology, leafmagazines.com/features/learn/history 

Facebook: Cannthropology, WOCMuseum, BobbyBlack420 

Instagram: Cannthropology, worldofcannabis.museum, BobbyBlack420 

Twitter: @Cannthropology, @WOCMuseum, @bobbyblack

YouTube: WorldofCannabis, TheInfamousBobbyBlack

Hashtags: #Cannthropology #worldofcannabismuseum #worldofcannabis #leafmagazines 

GUEST LINKS

Website: agseedco.com 

Facebook: toddpmccormick, ToddPatrickMcCormick

Instagram: @toddpmccormick, @agseedco

Twitter: @toddpmccormick, @AGSeedCo

Hashtags: #toddmccormick #authenticgenetics 

The World of Cannabis Museum will showcase the influence of cannabis in art, music, film, news, medicine, and politics throughout the past century. From the early days of prohibition and "reefer madness," to its modern-day mainstream momentum and