Contributor: Asia Mayfield
Chemistry. Agriculture. Cannabis. The three subjects are intertwined, yet decades of harsh federal legislation has shunted serious attention away from cannabis. Now, however, everything is changing. Legitimate universities are preparing students for roles in the cannabis industry. A cannabis degree is a real possibility.
“The internet has called this a cannabis degree; we call it a chemistry degree,” Derek Hall, Chief Marketing Officer for Northern Michigan University, explained. “You have growers on one side and users on the other side, and in between, you have these chemists who can answer the question of what compounds exist and at what levels, and those are the chemists we’re training in our program.”
Agriculture is big business. Some of the best minds in the country devote their energy toward making improvements. Many of the burgeoning cannabis courses popping up around the country focus on the agricultural aspect. Others focus on sales and management. Colorado State University was the first institution to launch a cannabis degree program.
“It’s a rigorous degree geared toward the increasing demand coming about because of the cannabis industry… Hemp and marijuana has really come to the forefront in a lot of economic sectors in the country,” David Lehmpuhl, dean of CSU-Pueblo’s College of Science and Mathematics told the Denver Post.
“One of the things that motivated us to develop this program was this industry sort of developed without oversight and regulation… I think now it’s becoming clear when you look at even the recent vaping crisis that occurred that there’s a need for having trained scientists in that space.”
Are you thinking about a marijuana degree? You have options. Here’s what they are.
Minor
A minor in cannabis studies rounds out your education in an appreciable way. The degree isn’t science-focused, so you can use it to help fuel your career in a dispensary, or perhaps the administrative side of a grow house.
At Colorado State University, Pueblo, students can sign up for a 22-credit Cannabis Studies minor. The courses offer an expansive view of the industry, with offerings ranging from social justice classes to lectures on introductory law.
California’s Stockton University teaches its students about cannabis laws with a focus on the medical community.
SUNY Morrisville’s minor in Cannabis Studies is perhaps the most diverse program. Students learn about everything from seed to sale in the 15-hour program.
Students who aren’t ready to commit to more than a single class or two have options as well. The University of Connecticut recently added an online course Horticulture of Cannabis: from Seed to Harvest.
“All of this has been exciting because the government funds nothing, the marijuana companies don’t publish their work, and there’s no program at institutions… It’s a complete dark room,” said Professor Gerry Berkowitz
“We envision that, next spring, we’re going to teach an introductory class and an advanced class… And I envision that, with my colleagues in the engineering and chemistry department, we could teach a course on the extraction of organic compounds.”
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Undergraduate Degree
The University of Colorado, Pueblo’s program is groundbreaking because it offers a four-year, rigorous degree in Cannabis, Biology and Chemistry. Students can focus on plant biology or chemistry. According to the university: “Educating students who are capable of understanding cannabis science is required for the industry in all its aspects to be effective and safe for the consumer.” Colorado’s recreational cannabis program has been in place since 2014.
Northern Michigan University’s program is less overt. There, students graduate with a degree in Medicinal Plant Chemistry. Although the degree title doesn’t explicitly mention cannabis, the university admits that many of the courses revolve around this type of herbal medicine.
“Botany, herbalism and chemistry have always been huge passions of mine,” one student explained.
“I came to NMU to focus on Biology in the Botany concentration and was interested in changing my area of study to biochemistry. Once this program was announced, I was ecstatic! Medicinal plant chemistry is the perfect blend of all my interests. I know what I’m studying here will change the future of medicine for so many people.”
Minot State University in North Dakota also offers a Medicinal Plant Chemistry degree. To graduate, students have to complete 600 hours of lab work. They’ll learn how to extract beneficial compounds from the plant material.
SEE ALSO: Is Marijuana Allowed In Nursing Homes? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Graduate
At the graduate level, you can look at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics degree program. The courses prepare students for careers in dispensaries and working with advocacy or government groups.
Certifications
Cannabis degree programs appeal if you know you’re interested in the industry, and you have a good idea of what you want to want to do. If you’re still trying to figure out your place, it might be a better idea to go for a certification or non-degree course instead.
Search online for “budtender training” and you’ll find countless different options. These courses aren’t accredited by anyone, and there’s no guarantee that completing one will lead you anywhere. However, many courses are well-reviewed, and there’s a lot to learn about cannabis.
There are also certification programs for people who want to work on the cultivation side, either by preparing extracts and edibles, or working with the plant itself. For example, you can take a cannabis trimming class that will teach you how to prepare bud for commercial sale.
Conclusion
Furthering your education is always a laudable goal. If you’re trying to get a foothold in the cannabis industry, it’s a smart choice. The industry is still brand-new; the biggest players are still being defined. It’s the first time in history that serious cannabis companies have had the freedom to grow.
