The Oakland Ballers partnered with the cannabis industry on Friday for a Marijuana-themed baseball game day, where the Ballers transformed into the Oaksterdam Blazers. In a 7-2 blowout win, the “Blazers” smoked the RedPocket Mobiles at Raimondi Park in West Oakland.
Throughout the nine innings, a Grateful Dead cover band played music behind the stands.
Before the game, there was also a dispensary lounge crawl where fans shuttled to dispensaries across Oakland.
Oaksterdam University, a trade school that teaches classes to students interested in working ion the cannabis industry, co-sponsored the event.
Victor Pinho from Emerald Farm Tours helped in guiding fans through the thick smoke to dispensaries and finally, home plate. Friday’s event marked a big moment for the California Cannabis community.
“After over 20 years of working in this industry, it’s amazing to see a publicly supported baseball team in the Bay Area embracing the cannabis culture that came out of the Bay Area,” said Pinho.
Critics of the cannabis-themed baseball event
Opposers of the Oaksterdam Blazers are parents and families who feared that this type of event is promoting cannabis consumption to the youth.
“What are we telling our children? That drugs are acceptable and normal? Our kids need their minds and souls developed–not be poisoned in this drug culture. I call on the Ballers to cancel this event and cancel your agreement with Oaksterdam University. If you continue pushing cannabis and the drug culture, you are leading Oakland down the path to hell,” said candidate for Oakland Mayor Mindy Pechenuk in a press statement.
Pinho said he was excited for this type of event because it’s a reflection of California’s strong ties to the global cannabis culture.
“Weed has been legal in California for over 10 years, and we have assimilated to that fact. And this is just another example of our community and our culture coming together in a place where this was born. Cannabis culture in the world was born in the Bay Area,” Pinho said.
There were music and noise played on the speakers that alluded to weed throughout the game between innings, including the sound of a long bong rip and Bob Marley tunes.
