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Goose Duarte

Bio

Goose Duarte has been employed in the cannabis industry for more than 15 years. He started his career in activism working for a doctor’s office that specialized in medical cannabis recommendations. It was there that he learned firsthand the life-transforming properties of the plant and the extent of the social injustice perpetuated by prohibition. 

Goose went on to work with Steve DeAngelo to launch the world-famous Harborside dispensary in 2006 where he spent over a decade learning every aspect of cannabis retail operations, eventually becoming the General Manager of Harborside’s flagship location in Oakland, Calif. There, Goose helped develop innovative and influential dispensary best practices that have since been adopted nationwide. 

Seeking a more objective, academic role in the industry, Goose started teaching classes at Oaksterdam University in 2008. He joined the Oaksterdam executive team in the role of Campus Manager in 2018. Today, as Director of Operations, he is in charge of admissions, student services, and facilitation. During his tenure, he has implemented many technical advancements for OU, including a ticketing system to ensure that all questions and requests from students and the public are answered in a timely manner.

Part of Goose’s mission at Oaksterdam is to continue to set the standard for training in the cannabis space and ensure that people entering the industry have the understanding to properly promote the value of the plant. He also serves as an instructor, teaching Business and Dispensary Operations.

When Goose is not involved in activism, he is an improviser with the long-running Secret Improv Society in San Francisco.