420th review on 4/20! How appropriate :) I would have actually wanted to join the festivities on Hippie Hill, but I decided to celebrate by writing this review. In the last 10 years, OU has been the pioneer for Cannabis education in California and the forefront of a powerful movement with the legalization of cannabis. I cannot believe how many successful and knowledgeable professionals today that started at Oaksterdam. I love everything they stand for and definitely recommend above any educational institution to gain your medical plant experience here. They are completely hands on and have the best teachers who have such extensive backgrounds. They've been around a long while and in that time the biggest names were produced from their curriculum. We all are witnessing a phenomenon before our eyes with this industry. I believe there is so much good coming out of this movement and OU is there every step of the way. I still have the original OU baseball shirt from almost ten years ago. So proud of everything they've accomplished. Richard Lee, you're the huMAN. read more

Save your time energy and money. The interactive online course is really just a bunch of people corralling together via zoom to look at a bunch of slides and have a unenthusiastic teacher teach each week. Over time the classes started late, and Natalie the dean, belittles the students due to lack of participation. It's extremely hard to feel encouraged to do the cap stone project, due to lack of guidance and your team mates being communicating through zoom. Everything they teach you can be found researching the internet on your own. Stay in the black market if you already have a foot in. There is no future in legal cannabis. read more

Unfortunately a bit sad. I expected much more. The huge sign on Broadway which makes Oaksterdam look like something big sets you up for a major letdown when you walk through the creaking metal doors at The Telegraph Avenue storefront. A receptionist sitting at a tiny little desk buzzes you in and you overhear lecture going on in a room behind a curtain. The marijuana museum consists of about 5 glass cases containing some memorabilia, if you call it that. In one case there are some, I guess, historical chocolate candies bearing labels similar to some of your more familiar mainstream candies - - Reese's, Hershey's, etc. read more

We all know that. 420 life can be challenging. If you want to help see a change. Fact: A. Oaksterdam is a perfect place to get your facts strait for Cannabis Business and or Horticulture. Fact: B. When you add in discernment for basic cannabis patient rights, we all know that life can be challenging. Fact C. I found tons of needed, reassurance,clarification, encouragement. At Oaksterdam. I would do it again and again and highly recommend attending Oaksterdam University. Thank you . Do what you do because you love you do it. read more

Oaksterdam University - Just as Happy doing Business as usual - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

Wanted to see what's the deal with this cannabis university & so I called in to be informative about the information they can give to me about just an overall generality of the university & what it stands for but come to find out its just a repeated automative lady on the voicemail line talking about "press 1 for this" press 2 for this" and yet when i use the numbers to press what options i want, she steady repeats as if i didnt press a number for service.... umm ya'll need to fix your voicemails as it could give questions like a newbie myself wanting to try out this university, period. read more

I'm presently a student at Oaksterdam University attending the 14 week classic and horticulture semesters simultaneously. Having the opportunity to be involved with an institution so dedicated to advocating and the legalization effort has, so far, been wonderful. Despite the fact that the DEA hates cannabis and it's not federally recognized as legal, Oaksterdam University manages to teach with the utmost professionalism and transparency, being totally honest about all facets of the industry that the curriculum covers. The horticulture program has offered amazing knowledge from instructors that have had very real success and seem to be filled with an endless wealth of information that they very readily share. All of the facilitators have been helpful, sweet and supportive. Oaksterdam is doing some incredible things and I'm very happy to be a part of the student population here. read more

Oaksterdam University - Learning to cut clones at Oaksterdam University horticulture lab. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

I stopped by the Oaksterdam University glass lab to check out a demo, and it is rad. After watching what they're doing in there, I can't wait to enroll in a glassblowing class! Support Oaksterdam University! read more

Let me start off by saying I am not a user of marijuana, I don't have a bong, don't roll or smoke them blunts but yes I went to Oaksterdamn University. How did this happen? Man it was my dad's doing, yea you read that right, he said hey I need to go run an errand, you up to tagging along? I said sure let's roll. Since Prop 215 was passed in 96 and he got his little official pot totting card, this has been his spot & he is as happy as a fat kid with cake. Oaksterdamn is an interesting place, you can take classes and learn about pot, but you can also hit up the school campus (?) and buy supplies, which is what he did. Never thought this was something I would do with my pops, but I guess I can now check off score pot with a parent off my bucket list haha. read more

I am not a marijuana user but I am very interested in the politics and economy of this plant. I decided to enroll in the classic semester at Oaksterdam. The classes are well organized and full of interesting information covering history, politics, law, ingestion, cultivation and cooking methods. They also give great lectures on licensing and business strategies that could really come in handy should you decide to go into business. Admission is a little hefty but it goes to a good cause and you do get quite a bit for your money. I hear the glass blowing class is pretty cool too! read more

The staff made the whole visit for information updates a downer. The lady at the main computer desk was bitchy and more than once tried to profile me and usher me out. .. all for things I do regularly whenever I stop by, (which is not that often! I only really come out to Oakland and check it out when I have to go meet up with my probation officer, which can be once a month or less, so it's not like I am all up in their business), which really is just browse for literature, see what events are coming up, what classes are new, what kind of cost they are trying to make us cough up.... man, still waaaaaaay overpriced, IMHO. I have never previously been any problem before, but now that they relocated to this other place, they have these like, bodyguards, checking bodies at the door, as if this were some sacred REAL UNIVERSITY, and you need a college badge to walk in the front door area to grab free literature on display. I changed my mind about even wanting to come here now. All her fault. The staff has gotten rude and elitest. I mean, I used to want to MAYBE come to this University when I got my legal stuff taken care of and had more money and time, but the attitude I get now from their staff is a major turn-off. I don't care about their lame classes anymore, or how much they think they can charge for a couple weekends worth of yakking about weed, which really gets old fast, because I mean, just become part of the Culture itself, immerse yourself into the whole world of patient rights and growing and whatever it is that makes you happy -- whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or you just want to make a ton of racks of green cheese. Really, what I am trying to say is, it's a plant, it nurtures us if we nurture it, and it is a medicine, and it is something I do have a legit Rx for, and it has helped my muscle spasms and peripheral neuropathy that was being caused by impinged nerves that were trapped by bone spurs and degenerated discs in my cervical vertebrae (degenerative disc disease - confirmed by an MRI) -- which no pharmaceutical medication was relieving the chronic awful pain and the crippling job-stopping disability it caused -- so I know it is a medicine. But I only recently got immersed in the culture, the subculture even, and that was really all I need to know about it. If I have any questions, it's easy solutions online, or Ask Ed, or with all the free magazines and publications that are out. There are tons of published studies that are available by legit medical outfits online, like WebMD (well, not really an "outfit" -- but a medical resource), and all it takes is studying and trial and error. If you don't know how to grow indoor, then grow outdoor, which is the way the plant was made to grow (and intended to be grown). Yeah yeah, some people don't have land. I know. And some people have to hide their medicine by growing in closets and all that and have to worry about odor and smell. But come on, do we need a college to teach us how to fix all those issues? Or do we need to put the pipe down and just do some thinking and maybe go to REAL COLLEGE and get an education so that we can get our own solutions rather than "out of the box" solutions that are making so many startup companies billionaires. "Send the kids to some University, jack up the prices, then have a place for them to buy an all-inclusive kit to grow all the bud they want... at a jacked up price....." Sounds like the business plans of a whole lot of people out there trying to cash in on California's obsession with weed but reluctance to legalize and control it. Chemicals make the plant taste nasty, so please grow organically, if you are reading this and haven't really gotten anything from my review. At least take that with you. GOOD OUTDOOR ORGANIC.... "GOO.." Now go read a free magazine or join a web forum for free and learn everything. Or Ask Ed! read more

Oaksterdam University - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

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I attended the 4 day "full semester" course in Las Vegas just over a week ago. I must admit, I went into it having a fully formed preconception about the types of students I would share class with, even some misgivings about the "tone" of the University. But I want to learn about canna-business, and this is THE school, right? I could not have been more wrong about the student body. I sat next to a vascular surgeon and another brilliant businessman, adjacent to innovative social workers and inspired bakers. Family business folks looking to make an industry change and even people whom I suspect may have been in this business for a long time but want to make sure they operate as legally as possible in this impossible regulatory & criminal climate. I was really shocked that "Bill & Ted" were nowhere to be found! The instructors and the leadership of this school take it very seriously, and they could not be better ambassadors for this plant and this industry. Well spoken, knowledgeable and passionate, they create converts (Dale Sky Jones called us "gladiators") with each new class they graduate. the quality of instruction is, in my opinion, what impressed me most about the courses. That, and the quality of networking and social interaction with the other students. I had a job interview with a local canna-business right after completing this course. I was so much more prepared and knowledgeable going into the interview, and the business owner was totally impressed that I attended this training. I don't know if I have the job yet, but the course seems like it will pay for itself in the first year, in both opportunities and setting me up for success as I begin working in this industry. Overall, highly recommended. read more

I ran past the famous Oaksterdam University on my 5K route during the Smokeland, I mean Oakland 2012 Running Festival this morning. I'm definitely not a marijuana, weed, blunt smoking person but if the United States has a university that teaches about the history, politics, laws, cultivation, culinary methods and medical implications associated with marijuana use it might as well be in our own Smokeland, California...woops, I mean Oakland, California. Awesome artwork on the building walls! read more

Oaksterdam, I mean the name says it all... I do not think you can be in the Medical Cannabis industry without first attending Oaksterdam classes. Not only were the instructors EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE but they were also very down to earth in answering any questions we had throughout the sessions. There is no doubt in my mind that anyone leaving a course at Oaksterdam will not be about to create a lasting effect working in Medical Cannabis. Amanda, Huxley, and Chad were so so so helpful in shedding some light on any issues or concerns I had throughout my course. You guys ROCK! I WILL BE BACK! read more

Got my degree from here. very detail oriented and willing to go the extra mile to help you out. also helping w job placement

I love this university. I've been wanting to attend now for a year or so. Every time I visit SF I make it a point to go walk around. This is what the United States needs to see about marijuana. This university could change the minds of many politicians that are anti-weed. I personally don't smoke myself, but I would love to become a caretaker someday. That's where the money is at these days. When I went to take a tour, the staff was super helpful and gave me lots of information on the school. Go support their giftshop down the street while you're there, all proceeds go towards the school. read more

The staff and instructors at Oaksterdam are very friendly, helpful and knowledgable. Basic & Advanced Seminars- Great for people with little to no cannabis knowledge. Lots of useful legal information, pertaining mostly to CA residents. Curriculum is thoughtfully set up to cover a lot of introductory level information. Basic & Advanced Indoor Horticulture Seminars- Take both in succession. Joey Ereneta and Jeff Jones are both great instructors with a lot of experience. The seminars start out covering the basic and get more in depth toward the end. Experienced growers might find the information a bit rudimentary but Oaksterdam does a fine job covering the basics that would appeal to the majority of students. Take the courses, read Ed's Marijuana Grower's Handbook and all that's left is gaining hands-on experience. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Oaksterdam. Pick a course that interests you and take it. You won't regret it. read more

I attended the 2017 afternoon classic semester. I can safely say that I leaned a lot during my time at the school. More importantly I realized how little I actually knew before attending Oaksterdam. Not only are the lectures informative but the speakers are industry leaders, with years of experience. Getting to and from class was also very convenient, because they are located right next to a BART Station. If I had to say one bad thing about Oaksterdam, it would be there limited classes; both in terms of types of classes offered and the actual number of seats. The University is only 10 years old so given time I'm sure that these issues will be solved. Even so, I still believe that I got a valuable education from Oaksterdam. read more

Earlier this month, (June 2015), I experienced a 4 day crash course in Medical Cannabis Education at Oaksterdam University's Las Vegas, NV Seminar. I was sad that I couldn't do the traditional training at the Oaksterdam Campus in California because of work, and I was worried the shorter version would not be enough. I was wrong. I also had the vision I would be the only "elder" in the group and I was wrong about that too. There was an incredibly diverse room full of people, all ages of adults, many ethnicities, different backgrounds, and all with different reasons for being there. It was a venerable melting pot of humanity, for sure. My reason to attend was just basically seeking knowledge. I'm a medical cannabis patient in New Mexico, and have been studying the history, politics, medicine and anything else I could get my hands of for a few years. This course not only filled in all the gaps for me, it helped to firmly solidify what I've already learned on my own. Winner-winner, chicken dinner. I currently sit of the board of a Patient Alliance, and also consult people who are entering the canna community for the first time, to guide them on the laws and process in our state. Now I have a better understanding of all aspects of the medical cannabis industry, and feel better prepared to help my canna family and enter the industry in some other aspect should I choose do so in the future. I wish everyone on our volunteer board could have attended this seminar. Oaksterdam has better prepared me for the future of the cannabis industry, and has solidified both my intent and knowledge to become a better advocate for this mighty fine plant. The only thing I really missed was more information about the current realities in the world of cannabis testing. That would have been the icing on the brownie for me. Non the less, this course is fast, intense, fun, entertaining and full of the knowledge anyone would need to enter the cannabis business. These people are serious about cannabis education and the instructors were very, very knowledgable professionals in the Cannabis Industry. There was a lot of information relating to California, (because that's where they are based), and Nevada, (the host state about to implement their new medical cannabis program), but no worries...there is PLENTY of universal information to be had. Thanks Oaksterdam, thank you wonderful staff, and thank you to all the Oaksterdam volunteers that helped to pull off a fabulous four days in Vegas. Thank you also for introducing me to my new canna friends. I WILL do this again in the future, as a refresher! And after I retire I'll consider taking the full monte in Oakland. read more

Oaksterdam University has an excellent horticultural semester, where vast topics are covered for cultivating marijuana. The 14 week Horticulture Semester takes on a hands-on approach, as well as the traditional lecture covering plenty of information. If you have interest in learning cannabis cultivation techniques to maximize your gardens yield then Oaksterdam University is the place for you! read more

Oaksterdam University - Pruning cannabis! - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Oakland, California

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Thanks to oaksterdam i now own the most succefull dispensary in the Denver, CO area! Taught me everything I needed to know about the industry. WARNING: Not everybody is as smart as me though, I recommend you take them seriously if u wanna be a Pot-trapaneor and marijay millionaire read more

I attended Oaksterdam in March of 2016 for the basic session. The professors were knowledgeable and cared about the subject matter. It was great to be in an environment where people are passionate about what they do. However, that's the only positives. The logistics at this place are a nightmare, except when they take your money (which is quite a bit). After the session we had a take home test and were promised a link to a study guide within a couple of days. After a couple of days I called for the link and left a message. After not hearing a response, I emailed. Eventually I did get the link but it was after the test was due. The administration is painfully slow to respond. Unfortunately, this was not the only issue. All graduates were promised a certificate of completion pending the results of the take home test. This was promised within 6-8 weeks after submitting the test. I personally dropped off the completed test in person to ensure it reached the administration. After 8 weeks, I returned to Oaksterdam to inquire about the certificate, if I passed, and if I received the top score in the class. The official stated he "just mailed my certificate in the mail" and that I "should receive it soon." I was satisfied with that answer and since I live one town over, would receive it soon. Fast forward. It has now been approximately 3 months since it was mailed. I can't get an answer or explanation of what happened. Seems like once Oaksterdam gets your money that's about the point they stop caring. In sum, good professors and atmosphere, but not worth the money. The administration and logistics of this place is abysmal. If you want to get into the industry or learn more, attend a convention or lecture. Save your time and money by steering well clear of this joke of a place. read more

Attended recently their basic and advanced seminar over 4 days and learnt almost all there is to know to start in this industry. Classes by well known authors and professionals in the industry covered topics like california and federal law, product knowledge, methods of ingestion, how to make edibles, how to home grow, commercial grows and above all invaluable advise from attorneys who specialized in cannabis defense. There was even an excellent lecture on how to start and run a cannabis dispensary given by a general manager of a famous local dispensary. Highly recommended and an excellent value for anyone wanting to enter this industry!! read more

Let me start by saying that I was on the fence about this organization, just as you probably are now. I had attended a few shoddy conferences within this industry and was afraid that this was going to be yet another disappointment, especially with the lack of reviews online. However, after giving them a chance, I can truly say I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. I just attended the 4-day Horticulture Seminar in Las Vegas back in November 2016. This was BY-FAR the best seminar on this subject matter that I have attended. The instructors, Jeff and Joey, had over 40 years of combined horticulture experience, and you could tell. These guys were VERY knowledgeable and passionate about their craft, and I learned more in these 4 days than I had learned in the previous 4 years doing my own research. They cover all of the basics and then go the extra mile to let you in on their little tips and tricks to ensure the greatest yields with the least amount of headaches. Another great part of the experience was the fellow "students" in the classroom. There were people from nearly every age group and all walks of life. From the extremely green beginners (like me) to the seasoned professionals and everything in between. The Q&A and discussion sessions never disappointed as there were always very good questions being asked and great discussions and stories about problems these folks have had along the way and ways to mitigate them in the future. All-in-all, I would highly recommend Oaksterdam to ANYONE looking to learn more about this industry, especially the cultivation side. I myself will be looking to attend their actual campus in Oakland to take an even deeper dive and get more hands-on experience. This industry is ripe and these guys can get you prepared to make the most of it. Enjoy! read more

I took the May 2015 Classic Semester. Staff are lovely folks. As a person close to completing a Master's Degree (years of higher education), the midterm and final exams are so very poorly written that the tests are actually difficult and horribly time consuming. Questions appear that were not discussed in class. Others are just poorly written and not well connected to their answer choices. On the midterm, a few of answer-key questions were incorrect so right answers were marked wrong, lowering student grades, and requiring after-class repairs. There are TRICK QUESTIONS that are epic fails. Some lectures were repetitive. Absolutely missing from the Classic Semester schedule is time to get to know the large group of classmates and network with them about future goals and opportunities. No individual time to get to know teaching staff and no post-graduate job support other than written job notices on a bulletin board. The training was decent. I'm happy I attended but the annoying and unfair tests (due to lack of quality control by the test writers) make the program less-than outstanding. read more

I lost $300 and didn't even get to sign up for a class. The registration process was a nightmare. My mother and I were interested in signing up for the basic seminar. We saw a class scheduled about a month and half down the line that worked for both of our schedules. So we searched around for the cheapest airplane tickets, booked a hotel in Oakland, and started filling out the enrollment form. When I went back to the page to look for the unique number, the class had disappeared from the enrollment page without any warning or notice. They told me that the class was cancelled due to lack of enrollment. At this point, it was still over a MONTH before the class had begun. Oaksterdam requires that you first send in your money and get a confirmation of enrollment before arranging travel and reserves the right to cancel any class at any moment for any reason. Which means there is no stability or guarantees in the registration process. I tried calling their customer service and admissions office for some help or maybe some compensation on the enrollment cost, but they kept telling me the you're-shit-out-of-luck line. Now we have to cancel our airplane tickets which is a fee of $150 per cancellation. read more

I just attended the 4-day horticulture seminar in NYC. The first day was a bumpy start. The emails communicated a different address for the books and hotel where the seminar was held. Went looking for the book. Nope. Went looking for the hotel. Nope. The email said B'way and 57th. It was actually on 75th. Fortunately, that's where the nightmare ended. Once there, you get the opportunity to network with a vast array of people from all walks of life who have a wide range of aspirations within the industry. You need to be mentally prepared for the amount of learning that will be taking place, and there is plenty to learn in a very short period of time. Joey, Ariana, and Dr. Aseem were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about what they were teaching. They have studied what they teach and also can speak from personal first hand experience. You go into this seminar with certain ideas and expectations, but i swear they were surpassed and it gave me a new outlook/perspective on the industry as a whole. I'm glad i was able to have their knowledge bestowed upon me. Tonya was also very helpful and insightful. The attorney they had speak to the class, Joseph Bondie, was also very well versed and made himself available for questions after speaking. Salute to all of you and thank you for your (huge) contribution to the movement. read more

A 3 day drive + 14 week learning adventure in the cradle of cannabis activism = OaksterDAMN what an experience! I really had 'high' hopes for the quality of experience I would have when I signed up to do the Classic and Horticulture Semesters; I've been interested in this school for several years since seeing reports about the school, and I can emphatically state that Oaksterdam University exceeded my hopes. The classes were interesting and informative with lots of great discussion, the teachers were engaging and always willing to answer endless questions, and the staff and interns were friendly and helpful. Thank you to all the instructors, staff and interns for the job you did. I also really enjoyed the students who were in my classes; I've made new friends and connected with a lot of like-minded people. I can't wait to hear about their efforts in this new industry. There's not much I'm overly sentimental about; normally a training environment is at best still half boring and my interest is in just getting it over with and getting on with applying the knowledge. Certainly I'm extremely enthusiastic about getting on with applying the knowledge, but I'm actually a little bit sad I'm at the end of the semester. If Oaksterdam can have that effect on a person like me then Oaksterdam has to be doing a whole lot right! read more

I have an endless amount of great things to say about OU and the people that operate the school and facilitate class. Beginning with the enrollment process, Huxley and Amanda were both extremely helpful and pleasant to deal with. Big thank you to both Huxley and Amanda for all of your help and kindness throughout the entire process. You are both awesome! The other staff was also very helpful and kind. The MOST important feedback I can share is regarding the content of the classes and overall learning experience I had. In other words, did I feel like I got my monies worth? The answer is overwhelmingly yes. We covered an extreme amount of information, much of which was taught by very accomplished and notable people in the industry. At times, I was very impressed with the notable dedication and accomplishments of much of the faculty; legal and civics focused, history and medical application, business and operations, and much more. The large majority of the faculty that presented are clearly experts in their subject matter and are highly professional (no pun intended), touting many years of hands on experience. There are a few things that I would like to understand in more depth, but there is no way you can possibly cover everything. Plus, the staff and faculty are very open to speaking with you after class or possibly at an off-site meeting if it makes sense. Overall I am extremely grateful to have been able to do this for myself. It is hugely valuable assuming this is a subject or business that you are interested in. The networking was very worthwhile as well. Not to mention...you happen to be in San Fran (more or less), and it's amazing out here. Hope this was helpful. Thank you very much OU!! Can't wait to come see you guys in the future! read more

After attending both Beginning and Advanced Classes at OU. I would like to offer the following review. Pro: lots of information, good printed materials, good survey information, some very good teachers. Con: haven't updated their course materials in over 1 year, crowded classes, some elitist vibe, nothing on growing outdoors, and no time during the classes to eat, visit, etc. read more

Are you looking for a new job or profession? Oaksterdam University will teach you skills, help you make connections, and open your mind and heart to the truth about cannabis and the greatest civil rights issue of our time. Yes, LGBT people have won great victories in recent times, but those who medicate with cannabis continue to be persecuted and discriminated against. If you want to change the world, or just change your own life, or just learn everything you can about cannabis, Oaksterdam University will give you the means. I cannot list all of my favorite teachers. The lawyers, of course, were spectacular. Robert Raich, James J. Clark, and Kali S. Grech taught the legal issues around cannabis in a way that made it easy for people to understand and protect themselves. Chris Conrad, Jeff Jones, Chad Gilmore, Paul Armentano, Sandy Moriarty, Dave McKullick, and all the other teachers also had the expertise and gravitas to teach this important subject. I took the weekend Basic plus Advanced Course over 4 days. It is a program that will give anyone a foundation in this industry and an understanding of this very significant civil rights issue. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is passionate about cannabis. read more

I took the 4 day basic seminar intensive recently and am very happy about my experience and it was well worth the money. I am new to the medical marijuana conversation so it was a crash course in all different aspects of the industry. Through this class I am convinced that by participating in this industry I can use my skills to contribute to people's quality of life, live a happy life myself, and support a cause I believe in. read more

We would recommend this "Cannabis College" to anyone. The curriculum was detailed and informative. We are also enjoying elective classes now that we are alumni! If you want to be good or better at what you're doing, take the classes! You won't be sorry. We noticed several students from other states which says a lot! You'll get out of it what you put into it! read more

I called them to sign up for a weekend seminar before their rate increase on 2-26-2014 They failed to return my call until the day after the rent increase, 3-1-2014, then refused to accept payment for the class I signed up for on their web site. Although the new increased cost was available. I am a business owner for the past 20 years and I would never treat a new or returning customer this way. Some just don't come back. read more

Las Vegas horticultural seminar 2015.Tremendous experience. Very knowledgeable staff as well as instructors. Covered the basics from a to z in a sumwhat seemless orchestration. This class is a wonderful addition to an already incredible text. Manuverability through this text is now a breeze and I'm looking forward to seeing you again in June. Vegas alumni are here, cheers OU! read more

It's a scam. They teach you nothing new, or significant that you couldn't learn from googling the words "how to grow weed." They were poorly organized, with instructors that they clearly found last minute with no ability to teach and minimal to no knowledge on growing or the business industry. I took both the horticulture and the classic semester. I would have to say it was the biggest waste of money and time. If you have they ability to read, I suggest you learn from books (not Ed Rosenthal's due to how poorly organized and how little necessary information there is). I would suggest reading something with back-able references. You know, check your sources! I suggest pubmed. All in all, I'd say the only worthy part of participating in that class was the ability to network in a community that all seemed to be interested in the cannabis industry. But that's not hard to do, it's the Bay Area. read more

Oaksterdam University was by far the best educational experience I could have asked for. I am finishing up my degree in Plant Science at an agricultural university, and took the summer to complete both the classic and horticulture semester courses. The Oaksterdam staff and instructors were not only some of the kindest people I have ever met, they gave me the skills I need to pursue my career in this industry while going out of their way to help me with any questions I could come up with. Truly an incredible experience. read more

Oaksterdamn University was my favorite schools from kindergarten until now. I loved it so much I went back for the second course and now feel ready to go out on the job field or just the field and be great at whatever I do. The staff always has a upbeat attitude. Amanda is always there to greet me with a smile and give me any helpful tips. Sky, the owner, is a wonderful woman and shows her passion every time she walks in the class. The instructors care that you are learning and always offer their email in case any questions come up. If you choose to attend any of the classes, get ready to walk into any room (or field:) and feel confident to get the job done! Thank you Oaksterdam for all your help and support. What a great team!! read more

Oaksterdam university is welllll worth the money/time for anyone really serious about getting to know the marijuana plant, and getting into the indu$try. I took the 4 day bas/adv. horticulture classes. They have awesome instructors there, and hella cool staff! Joey Ereneta was awesome...he's a super educated teacher, from A to Z he made made everything really easy to understand(there's a lot to know too). Plus the hands on work provided me with everything I need to know about growing the best possible product. Also they teach efficient ways to set up any operation you can imagine! Oh Make sure you take advantage of networking with your class mates for future help or business as well(very valuable) I will forever owe oaksterdam!!! read more

Best cultivation school around. Teachers are very knowledgeable, highly recommended.

Some of the nicest people on the planet are right here. Intelligent too, otherwise they wouldn't be in this -- cuz it's not about the money. It's about educating people and arming them with the knowledge to not fall face first in the industry (the information received here, and then applied, will be the padding). The speakers were all so passionate that you almost don't even know what angle you wanna get involved in! I loved every minute of every class and even outside of class was a treat. The cafe next door had a lady -worker who was so nice sometimes I thought I could cry. People aren't like that where I'm from, and meeting the people I did in this short time was beyond inspiring. When I leave the class, not only am i super tired from all the information absorption, but my chest is burning with passion and readiness to show my friends and family what I've learned; But then I step back and remember, I need to get all of my facts in a representable order -- all the info can be overwhelming, but one paragraph at a time is all it takes to gather even the most stubborn person's attention. I could go on, but at this point I'd say of you haven't gone here yet out of curiosity, give it a try and talk to literally ANYONE on site and they'll be one of the nicest people you've met (there's a bit of a learning curve to people's personalities, but it's smooth sailing from there.) 10/10 experience here. read more