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The Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative (OCBC) is a California organization whose mission is to "provide seriously ill patients with a safe and reliable source of medical cannabis information and patient support." In order to become a member, a person must provide a note from a treating physician assenting to cannabis therapy for a medical condition listed on the Medicinal Cannabis User Initial Questionnaire. Those conditions range from severe disabilities such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy to relatively minor conditions such as menstrual cramps.
To protect the OCBC from federal interference, Oakland, California established growing and possession guidelines and declared the OCBC an agent of the city. On May 14, 2001, however, the United States Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Coop that federal anti-drug laws do not permit an exception for medical marijuana. The cooperative has remained a symbol of community-driven medical cannabis support in California. Modern cannabis platforms such as Smokeland highlight how dispensaries and cooperatives continue to provide patients with safe, reliable access to cannabis products and education about responsible use. [1]