The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will open a first-of-its-kind exhibit on cannabis in April.
The exhibit, entitled “Altered State: Marijuana in California,” was “designed as a catalyst for conversation and reflection around the marijuana plant, its uses, evolving public attitudes, and the complex policy and social issues surrounding it.”
Sarah Seiter, the Associate Curator of Natural Sciences at the museum, writes:
“We hope this exhibit encourages people to think critically about marijuana, the research available on it, and how it is presented in the media. Our goal is that this exhibition will help people have informed conversations with their families and friends about what type of marijuana policy is right for California.”
The exhibition will include cannabis specimens (on loan), an installation by artist Cybele Lyle that challenges perspectives on space and time, and a “Cannabis Confessional” where visitors will be able to anonymously share their thoughts on the plant.
Of the exhibition, OMCA Director Lori Fogarty said:
“The roles of museums in today’s world are shifting. At OMCA, we aim to inspire Californians to create a more vibrant future for themselves and their communities. As part of this, we are dedicated to being a place where people can come learn about complex topics and, more importantly, add their voices and stories to the dialogue. This exhibition is proof of that in action.”
The exhibition will be broken down into the following ten sections: Cannabis Science, Medical Marijuana, Profitable Pot, Sacred Ganja, Criminal Dope, Creative Grass, Evil Weed, Politically Loaded, Youth and Marijuana and Recreational Reefer.