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