David Adam Kasakove

Sept 28, 1963 – Sept 24, 2022

David Adam Kasakove Passed away peacefully in his sleep Sept 24, 2022, in his home in Portland OR. , he was 58 years old.

David is survived by his brother Evan Dann McKillakove.

David was born in Queens, New York on September 28th, 1963, the first son of Carolyn Pearl and Arthur Richard Kasakove.

In the late 60s he traveled he traveled across the US with his parents and brother for a year and a half attending festivals peace rallies and, being immersed in the counterculture of that time.  These early experiences helped make him the caring warrior for social justice that characterized him for the rest of his life.

After living in Massachusetts and, Baltimore the family moved to Claremont California in 1974 where David attended Sycamore elementary school, El Roble Jr. High, Claremont High School there, and made many lifelong friends.

From 1982 to 1995 David again traveled the country attending festivals and building an extended family of hundreds of people. He could often be seen at Grateful Dead Shows dancing to the love of the universe and embodying the positive and caring nature things. If someone fell, he was the first one there to help them up. If he saw someone being overcharged for a ticket, he would give them his and listen to the show from outside, just so a stranger would have a positive experience. He was a protector and would put himself in front of an aggressor to deescalate and steer things back to a positive space.

In 1987 David helped deliver and raise Cassidy Adam Franklin, though not related by blood; David treated and loved Cassidy like a son to the end.

Starting in 1995 David became a strong advocate for the medical and practical use of cannabis. He opened Everything’s Hemp in Chico California, a store that sold clothing and goods made from hemp to showcase what a diverse useful and environmentally friendly fiber it is. With the passing of laws allowing the medical use of cannabis in California, people in the community encouraged him to help make medical cannabis available to patients.

In 1996 David opened Chico Medical Marijuana Co-op one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries in California.

For the next twenty years despite numerous challenges and hardships, David fought for proper treatment of medical marijuana patients. He took part in legal battles often setting presidents, gave speeches, took part in debates, was interviewed by newspapers and appeared on TV. He acted as a consultant for patients, dispensaries, city, county and state governments as well as law enforcement.

David worked on the board of California Harm Reduction Cooperative and was a member of, NORMAL, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), Medical Cannabis Safety Council, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Caring Vets (Chico, Ca.) and MENSA.

David continued to advocate and give occasional interviews; He spent the last several years with his partner Christine Miller Gordon, enjoying music shows and festivals, dancing to the music of The Cosmos.

A celebration of life will be held November 5, 2022 at the Chico Women’s center; 592 E. 3rd Street Chico, CA and all who loved David are invited.