The Oakland Ballers, an independent professional baseball team based in Oakland, California, recently announced plans for a “family-friendly” cannabis-themed game set for the evening of July 31st.
In collaboration with Oaksterdam University, the country’s first cannabis-focused educational institution, the event is themed “Grateful Dead Night.” As part of this unique occasion, the team will temporarily adopt the name Oaksterdam Blazers, sporting new uniforms that reflect this branding.
The team noted in a press release that this game represents a significant milestone in professional baseball, marking the first instance of a team partnering with and celebrating the legal cannabis sector during a live game. This announcement was met with excitement, as it highlights a growing trend within sports and cannabis.
Interestingly, the event began as an April Fool’s joke, but the positive reaction from fans led the organization to bring the concept to life. The July 31st event is touted as “safe, inclusive, and age-appropriate,” with activities for adults 21 and older starting at 10 a.m. PT. These include trips to local dispensaries and a lounge crawl showcasing Oakland’s cannabis businesses.
The experience promises to go beyond mere entertainment, focusing on the entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders who have significantly shaped Oakland’s cannabis industry. Those interested in a full-day experience can kick off their engagement at the ballpark.
While the lounge crawl is specifically for adults, the Ballers emphasized their commitment to providing a family-friendly atmosphere at the game. Access to cannabis-related content will be opt-in, requiring age verification for participation.
Oaksterdam University has also promoted the event, describing it as “America’s first family-friendly cannabis industry event.” Although this declaration suggests a pioneering spirit, it’s worth noting that other professional sports teams have previously collaborated with the cannabis industry. For example, the Portland Pickles made headlines in 2024 as the first U.S. sports team to sell THC products at a live game.
The Major League Baseball (MLB) has also entered the scene, becoming the first major sports league to sign a sponsorship agreement with a CBD company back in 2022.
Meanwhile, the focus remains on Oakland’s significant history in the cannabis legalization movement. California led this change by becoming the first U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Back in 2004, Oakland made headlines by being the first city to legally license and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. By 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults statewide.
