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Oakland Pot Trade School Set To Reopen Following Federal Raids

OAKLAND (KCBS) – Oaksterdam University in downtown Oakland plans to reopen this weekend following a federal raid of the facility earlier this month.

Oaksterdam's new director and former executive chancellor Dale Sky Jones said the April 2 raid was a short-term setback.

Oaksterdam will resume classes this weekend and Jones said that the university will no longer be associated with the marijuana dispensary or founder Richard Lee, one of the nation's foremost medical marijuana advocates.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

"He realizes he is the target. And as long as he is directly associated with Oaksterdam University, the university is a target," said Jones. "It's most important to all of us to make sure that the education continues on. We have been practicing a form of civil disobedience by growing these plants."

Lee said his advocacy will continue as he plans to focus on legalization campaigns on the ballot this year in Colorado and Washington State.

"All I can hope is that the federal government attack on us will bring more attention to this issue," he said.

Lee said he is preparing for a possible federal indictment on tax charges.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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