In November 2004, Bay Area cannabis activists scored a victory with Oakland's "Measure Z," a ballot measure that instructed the city to make "private, adult cannabis (marijuana) use, distribution, sale, cultivation and possession" its lowest law enforcement priority. While activists have sparred with city hall over issues such as whether the law applies to the cannabis clubs that marked Oaksterdam in its heyday, it stands as an enlightened municipal approach to marijuana.

courtesy SF Bay Area Indymedia

Initiatives are being drafted now, with an eye to both local sensitivities and avoiding some of the bureaucratic obstacles that popped-up in Oakland. "We made sure that these initiatives had teeth, and are not simply symbolic," a campaign spokesperson told the News. "We are especially excited to help activists advance cannabis reform in Southern California. It is vital that the southern part of the state gets on board and stop criminalizing good, productive members of society who happen to be cannabis consumers, if we ever want to make changes to our state marijuana laws –- which, of course, we do."

The Oaksterdam News is itself a manifestation of the region's thriving cannabis culture. Published by Oakland cannabis activist and entrepreneur Richard Lee and edited by cannabis expert witness Chris Conrad, the News is resolutely pro-cannabis legalization and set to add its voice to the Bay Area dialogue. Look for a Drug War Chronicle feature article on the News and East Bay activism next week.