Richard Lee (activist)

Richard Lee is a marijuana rights activist who runs various medical marijuana programs throughout the "Oaksterdam" area of downtown Oakland, California. He is regarded as a central figure in Northern California's medical marijuana movement.[1] He also operates a coffee shop.[2] He has been active in working to end cannabis prohibition since 1992.

Richard Lee
Richard Lee at Hemp & Cannabis Expo 2010
OccupationCannabis activist

California Proposition 19

He was the chief promoter of California Proposition 19, titled the "Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010", which was a measure to legalize marijuana in California. On December 14, 2009 the secretary of state confirmed receipt of enough signatures to qualify the measure for inclusion on the November 2010 ballot.[3] The initiative failed to pass, with 54% of California voters voting "No", and 46% voting "Yes".[4]

Oaksterdam University

In 2007, Lee founded Oaksterdam University, the United States' first cannabis-oriented "college".[3] The unaccredited educational facility has 1 campus in Oakland, Ca and offers classes on politics and legal issues related to marijuana as well as horticulture, cooking with cannabis, business management, and entrepreneurship. Lee is no longer with the organization according to the website.

References
  1. Morning Edition, June 7, 2010 broadcast.
  2. "Growing Medical Marijuana Industry Sparks Debate in California". Voice of America News. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009.
  3. McKinley, Jesse (October 27, 2009). "Push to Legalize Marijuana Gains Ground in California". New York Times.
  4. "CA Secretary of State: Results for Proposition 19". Secretary of State's office. November 7, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2010.


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