For our next stop along The Cannabis Trail, we visit NUG Oakland, a premier dispensary and lounge in the heart of uptown Oakland, California. This iconic destination celebrates the legacy of Oaksterdam University, a trailblazer in cannabis education and advocacy, and honors its profound contributions to the cannabis community.
By Brian Applegarth @thecannabistrail
Destination: NUG Dispensary and Lounge – Oakland, CA
Honors: Cannabis Education, Advocacy, and Industry Training
Storytelling: The Pioneering Legacy of Oaksterdam University
Oakland has long been a hub for cannabis advocacy, equity, and education. At the crossroads of this rich history lies NUG Oakland, home to a Cannabis Trail Cultural Landmark that honors the transformative work of Oaksterdam University. Recognized as the nation’s first cannabis college, Oaksterdam has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern cannabis industry, from its inception in 2007 to its continued influence on policy, education, and entrepreneurship.
Oaksterdam now offers online education, but their physical campus was formerly housed in the same building where NUG now occupies the basement. In 2012, this Oaksterdam headquarters was raided, and the story was documented in an award-winning film called American Pot Story: Oaksterdam. At the site of the raid, NUG now carries the torch for the Oakland cannabis community at their beautiful shop and consumption lounge, and hosts the Landmark in honor of Oaksterdam University.
Located in Oakland’s Uptown District, NUG stands as a vibrant community space where cannabis enthusiasts, students, and industry leaders converge. Its stylish, welcoming dispensary and lounge reflect the progressive ethos of both NUG and Oaksterdam University, creating an environment that invites exploration, education, and enjoyment of cannabis culture.
Oaksterdam University: A Catalyst for Change
Established during a time when the stigma surrounding cannabis was pervasive, Oaksterdam University emerged as a bold experiment in normalization and education. Founded by Richard Lee, a leading cannabis activist, the institution sought to provide formal education on cannabis cultivation, business, and law while advocating for reform at the state and national levels.
Oaksterdam’s impact is monumental. Over the past 16 years, the university has educated thousands of students from around the globe, arming them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a burgeoning industry. Many of its alumni have gone on to lead cannabis companies, craft innovative policies, and champion social justice causes, ensuring that the industry grows with equity and integrity.
The university also spearheaded groundbreaking advocacy efforts, including its pivotal role in drafting and campaigning for Proposition 19 in 2010, the first statewide initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis. Though the proposition narrowly failed, its influence paved the way for California’s eventual adult-use legalization in 2016.
A Modern Landmark of Progress
NUG Oakland, the proud steward of this Cultural Cannabis Landmark, pays homage to Oaksterdam’s legacy through its commitment to community, innovation, and education. The dispensary offers a curated selection of premium cannabis products and features an adjacent lounge space where visitors can relax, connect, and learn.
NUG frequently hosts educational events, workshops, and panel discussions, keeping the spirit of cannabis education alive and thriving. These gatherings provide a platform for dialogue on topics ranging from cannabis equity and sustainability to advancements in medical cannabis research.
At the front gate of NUG, the Cannabis Trail landmark sign marks the entrance to NUG, through a hallway lit by neon stripes. Stepping into the NUG Oakland shop, visitors are greeted by plaques commemorating the landmark designation honoring the vital work of Oaksterdam University, where visitors can read the story and scan a QR code to learn more about Oaksterdam and NUG. This Cultural Landmark serves as a reminder of the dedication, resilience, and vision that has propelled the cannabis industry forward and underscores Oakland’s role as a center of progress and reform.
Cultural Landmark Statement of Purpose
May this Cultural Landmark serve to honor Oaksterdam University as a pioneering force in cannabis education and advocacy, a primary engine of the modern movement for cannabis legalization.
May it celebrate the bold and brave visionaries like Jeff Jones, Richard Lee, Dale Sky Jones, and the thousands of students and faculty who passed through its doors, many of whom became leaders, educators, and advocates of the decriminalization and descheduling cannabis movement.
May it remind us of the importance of education and resilience, the need to always protect the progress made for freedom, and the responsibility we all have to educate others about the true healing capabilities of cannabis, an ancient medicinal plant.
May it be so.
Northern California is where the battle for legalized cannabis was waged. The Cannabis Trail honors the pioneers, places, and significant historical moments that paved the way for the legal cannabis access we have today. The Cannabis Trail is an immersive travel adventure for cannabis enthusiasts, history buffs, and culture seekers seeking an extraordinary California experience. – https://thecannabistrail.com
Check out all of The Cannabis Trail Series here at Beard Bros Pharms below.
Traveling The Cannabis Trail Series #1- A Cultural Journey
Traveling The Cannabis Trail Series #2- Plantshop Cannabis Lounge
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #3 – Huckleberry Hill Farms
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #4 – The Hemp Connection
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #5 – Sol de Mendocino
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #6 – Root’d in the 510
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #7 – Humboldt Cannabis Tours
Traveling The Cannabis Trail #8 – The Bohemian Chemist
BRIAN APPLEGARTH is a travel writer and innovator with a passion for cannabis travel experiences and cultural heritage preservation.
He has written for San Francisco Travel, Visit Oakland, Local Getaways, Skunk Magazine, Green State, Pineapple Express, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit Mendocino County and others. Brian was the sole advisor on the first ever national research on the cannabis-motivated travel audience in the United States.
He has been quoted in Forbes, The Washington Post, Smart Meetings, Travel Weekly and elsewhere, and his award-winning work has been featured on NPR, CBS, NBC, and The New York Times.
Brian is the founder of the Cannabis Travel Association International and the co-founder and co-creator of the CA State Fair Cannabis Awards & Exhibit. He leads the Cannabis & Hemp Task Force for the California Travel Association and Destinations International and is a certified cannabis sommelier Ganjier and a certified cannabis therapy consultant.
He recently published The Ganja Traveler’s Guide to the Emerald Triangle, a first-of-its-kind travel guide to California’s legacy craft cannabis region. Follow Brian on Instagram @thecannabistrail and @theganjatraveler or learn more at www.brianapplegarth.com.
