cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Clubs Create California's Oaksterdam Marijuana Clubs Create California's Oaksterdam Posted by CN Staff on August 11, 2003 at 09:03:38 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press A downtown neighborhood that is home to eight medical marijuana clubs here has become so well known that it has earned the nickname "Oaksterdam," a reflection of the area's similarities to the cannabis-tolerant Dutch capital. "It does remind me of Amsterdam," said Keith Stroup, founder and executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, in Washington, D.C. "It's certainly the closest thing we have in this country to what they have in Amsterdam. I think there's nothing quite like it in the United States." Grouped together near a stop on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, the clubs range from a three-story business with plans for an organic cafe to an unmarked storefront known jokingly as "Parking in Rear," after the only visible sign. Aside from location, the clubs share a tenuous legal status that makes many of their owners reluctant to talk publicly. The city and the state recognize medical marijuana as legal, thanks to an initiative approved by California voters in 1996. But federal authorities say that federal law continues to ban the possession of marijuana, regardless of the use. Earlier this year a leader of the medical marijuana community, Oakland resident Ed Rosenthal, was convicted in federal court of cultivating marijuana, although he said the city had "deputized" him as part of its official medical marijuana program. After the trial some members of the jury criticized the case against Rosenthal, and a federal judge sentenced him to just one day in prison. Federal authorities declined to say if they have any current investigations in Oaksterdam. "Unfortunately, we have one foot in the illegal world and one foot in the legal world," said Ken Estes, who owns a three-story dispensary that he hopes will eventually have an organic cafe and an on-site chiropractor, acupuncturist and doctor. "We're trying to get both in (the) legal world." But even now, with legal questions unanswered, Oaksterdam is hardly a secret. T-shirts are available with the nickname. Local police take a relaxed attitude. Some buyers bear city-sanctioned identification cards to show that they need medical marijuana. "San Francisco and Oakland have Chinatown and Japantown," said Randy Csongor, the manager of a pawn shop that sits in the middle of a row of medical marijuana clubs. "Now we're going to have pot town. Better yet, hemp town." Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown has ordered a report on the proliferation of local pot clubs, although he is not necessarily critical. "These things have just grown up without any great public fanfare, so obviously, this has to be looked at carefully," Brown said. "Californians are strongly in support of medicinal marijuana, compassionate aid to people who are truly sick. But the big question is, what is the proper method of distribution and how should it be regulated?" The clubs, which generally don't disclose their sources for marijauna, sell the drug to patients at prices that can range from $50 to $400 an ounce, depending on quality. Some customers say they benefit from the clubs' concentration in one area, since it promotes price competition and makes it easier to shop around. "It's a community," said Curtis Thomas, who smokes marijuana to alleviate pain from a wrist injury. "If it continues this way, it's going to be a boon for Oakland." Police say there have been a few complaints of crime in the area, but said they focused mainly on a single club. Business leaders nearby are more enthusiastic, noting that in some ways the clubs are boosting the neighborhood economy: Patients and club employees stop for lunch at area eateries. "Any kind of business is business," said Csongor, the manager of the pawn shop. "It hasn't caused any problems. No fights, no riots, no outbreaks. Nothing like that. If could be dressmakers over there, it wouldn't be any different." Complete Title: Medical Marijuana Clubs Create California's OaksterdamSource: Associated PressPublished: Monday, August 11, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:OCBChttp://www.rxcbc.org/NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Ed Rosenthal's Pictures & Articleshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/trialpics.htmOakland District Evolves Into Cannabis Community http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17031.shtmlBrown Embarks on Probe of Oaksterdam Pot Clubs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17026.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by RasAric on August 11, 2003 at 22:00:17 PT: Oaksterdam Beautiful!!!! Blessings!!! George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are smiling on this:) It's time for America to follow suit. Take a hike Bush, for you are NOT a god...and take your cronies with you. The citizens are reclaiming the freedoms, once again, what you, your evil comrads, and your bosses at the vatican have attempted to steel from us, the true Patriots, for hundreds of years. We'll forgive you eventually, but, we shall not ever forget. De Devil can never steal what God has ordained as Sacred & Holy. Come, let us go reason now with a challis filled with the "Bread Of The Lamb". Respect for dem I-dren in de house of Oaksterdam. May protection and guidance come from the most high to all righteous loving beings. RasAric http://www.votetoimpeach.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on August 11, 2003 at 10:59:55 PT Highly Productive and Constructive! I should say!NO chaos! No "drive by shootings", which is quite amazing, considering the facts of Alcohol Prohibition. Legalize the plant and world will still turn tomorrow!pazff [ Post Comment ] Post Comment