The cannabis industry lost one of its most pivotal figures on July 27th, when Richard Lee passed away, leaving behind a legacy that fundamentally transformed how the world views cannabis.
As the founder of Oaksterdam University, Blue Sky Coffeeshop, and the architect behind California’s innovativeative Proposition 19, Lee didn’t just advocate for cannabis reform—he made it his life’s mission to educate, inspire, and create lasting change.
Richard Lee’s impact on cannabis policy and culture cannot be overstated. His vision extended far beyond simple legalization; he understood that true reform required a complete shift in public perception.
Through his businesses, educational institutions, and political activism, Lee created a blueprint for cannabis acceptance that continues to influence the industry today. His courage to operate openly in the cannabis space when it was still heavily stigmatized helped normalize cannabis use and opened doors for countless entrepreneurs, patients, and advocates who followed in his footsteps.
The Pioneer Behind Oaksterdam University
Richard Lee founded Oaksterdam University in 2007 as the first brick-and-mortar institution dedicated to cannabis education. This first of its kind school has since graduated over 100,000 students and provided crucial assistance to state regulators across numerous medical cannabis states. The university represented Lee’s belief that education was the key to destigmatizing cannabis and building a legitimate industry.
Oaksterdam University became more than just a school—it became a symbol of cannabis legitimacy. Students learned everything from cultivation techniques to business practices, creating a workforce ready to support the emerging legal cannabis market.
The institution helped professionalize an industry that had operated in the shadows for decades, providing standardized training and certification programs that states could recognize and regulate.
Lee’s educational approach extended beyond practical skills. He understood that changing public opinion required factual information delivered through credible channels.
By establishing a formal educational institution, he gave cannabis advocacy an academic foundation that helped counter decades of misinformation and propaganda.
Building Cannabis Culture Through Business
Long before statewide legalization became reality, Richard Lee operated some of the first marijuana coffeeshops in the United States. Blue Sky Coffeeshop (formerly SR-71), the Oaksterdam Gift Shop, and the Bulldog Coffeeshop in Oakland, California, served as more than retail locations—they were cultural centers that normalized cannabis consumption and demonstrated that cannabis businesses could operate safely and responsibly.
These establishments proved that cannabis could be integrated into mainstream business culture without the negative consequences opponents predicted.
Lee’s coffeeshops showed local communities and policymakers that cannabis businesses could be good neighbors, contributing to local economies while serving customers in a professional, regulated environment.
The success of Lee’s businesses provided a real-world model for other entrepreneurs and helped shape the regulatory frameworks that govern today’s legal cannabis market.
His willingness to operate openly and invite scrutiny helped build trust with communities and regulators who had never seen legitimate cannabis businesses in action.
Proposition 19: Laying the Foundation for National Change
Perhaps Richard Lee’s most significant contribution to cannabis reform came through his sponsorship of California’s Proposition 19 in 2010. Though the initiative ultimately failed, it fundamentally changed the national conversation about cannabis legalization and laid the groundwork for successful initiatives in Colorado and Washington just two years later in 2012.
Proposition 19 was the first serious attempt at statewide adult-use legalization in the United States. Lee invested his own money and reputation into the campaign, understanding that even a failed initiative could advance the cause by normalizing discussions about legalization and showing public support for reform.
The campaign’s impact extended far beyond California’s borders. It proved that legalization could be a viable political issue and encouraged advocates in other states to pursue similar initiatives.
The strategies, messaging, and coalition-building techniques developed during the Proposition 19 campaign became plans for successful legalization efforts across the country.
Standing Strong Against Federal Opposition
Richard Lee’s commitment to marijuana reform was perhaps most evident during the federal raid on his businesses in 2012. The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS targeted Blue Sky Coffeeshop and Oaksterdam University.
We vividly remember, Mickey Martin, a mentor of us here at Beard Bros Pharms, stood outside with a loudspeaker demanding Lee’s release, which showed the support Lee had built within the cannabis community.
This moment highlighted how Lee had become not just a business owner, but a symbol of resistance against unjust federal cannabis policies.
Remarkably, no charges were ever filed against Lee, and Oaksterdam University reopened just days after the raid. This resilience in the face of federal intimidation showed Lee’s unwavering commitment to his mission and inspired others to continue fighting for reform despite government pressure.
A Legacy of Freedom and Opportunity
Richard Lee’s impact on the cannabis industry extends far beyond policy changes. His work created opportunities for countless individuals who might otherwise have faced criminal penalties for their involvement with cannabis.
By showing that cannabis businesses could operate safely and contribute positively to their communities, Lee helped create an entire industry that now employs hundreds of thousands of people.
His educational initiatives through Oaksterdam University created paths for professional development in cannabis, giving people legitimate career opportunities in a field that had previously existed only in underground markets.
The university’s graduates have gone on to become industry leaders, cultivators, business owners, and advocates, multiplying Lee’s impact across the cannabis ecosystem.
Lee’s influence also extended to social justice aspects of reform. His work helped highlight the inequities of cannabis prohibition and contributed to conversations about criminal justice reform and the need to address the harms caused by decades of cannabis criminalization.
The Man Behind the Movement
Paul Armentano, NORML’s Deputy Director who served on Oaksterdam’s faculty for over a decade, remembered Lee as “a generous and courageous man—generous with his time and courageous by his actions.” This combination of generosity and courage defined Lee’s approach to activism and business throughout his career.
Lee’s willingness to share his knowledge and strategies with other cannabis advocates jsut goes to show his understanding that cannabis reform required a movement, not just individual success.
He actively encouraged others to copy his business models and advocacy strategies, recognizing that widespread change required many people working toward the same goals.
Honoring a Cannabis Hero
As the industry evolves and expands, Richard Lee’s contributions highlight the significant progress achieved and the work that still lies ahead.
His vision of a world where cannabis is accepted, regulated, and integrated into mainstream society continues to guide advocates and business leaders working toward full legalization and social justice.
Richard Lee proved that one person’s courage and commitment can create ripple effects that change the world. His legacy lives on in every legal marijuana business, every student who has attended a education program, and every person who benefits from more rational cannabis policies.
He showed us that real change is possible when we combine vision with action, education with advocacy, and courage with compassion.
The industry today owes much of its legitimacy and success to pioneers like Richard Lee who were willing to take risks, challenge unjust laws, and build the foundation for a better future.
Therefore, his memory will inspire those reach for a world without cannabis prohibition, and we will remember his contributions as essential to achieving true cannabis freedom for everyone.
Featured Image of Richard Lee, courtesy of Wikipedia.
