Earlier this month, the federal government raided several California marijuana operations in its crackdown on medical marijuana, including the cultivation school Oaksterdam University.  The raids all took place in locations connected to Oaksterdam founder Richard Lee just weeks after four new dispensaries were approved.

Despite the fact that the DEA and U.S. Marshalls came to the scene of the raid with a battering ram, a sledgehammer, power saws, and a locksmith to seize plants, computers, curriculum, and documents, just three weeks later Oaksterdam University has once again opened its doors. The MMJ cultivation school still faces challenges, though; they have had to cut classes as well as their two dozen employees, instead utilizing volunteers to run the school.

The government has not leveled any charges against Lee or other Oaksterdam workers. To avoid further federal attention, Oaksterdam is eliminating using actual marijuana to teach students and they are taking steps to license their curriculum.  Oaksterdam is not letting the raid knock them down, and they have redesigned their business model to make a comeback. The school has been teaching students how to grow marijuana for medical purposes since 2007, and they are currently trying to keep as many of their classes as possible as they rebuild their business.

It’s obvious that Oaksterdam is dedicated to education, and this will be only a glitch in their business and outreach.  We’re proud to say that they are still a valuable resource to the public.