How to Get a Cannabis Degree in the USA
Just a few years ago, the idea of earning a diploma in a field related to cannabis at any American college seemed absurd. However, the situation has changed rapidly, thanks to the large number of states that have legalized medical and recreational cannabis.
Today, the cannabis industry offers significant business opportunities. As of February 2021, there were approximately 321,000 full-time jobs in the U.S. cannabis industry, with an annual growth rate of 32%, highlighting the industry’s need for qualified professionals. Research by Cowen & Co indicates that by 2030, the cannabis market could be worth over $75 billion per year. Such rapid growth will inevitably create new jobs. Even now, companies are seeking cannabis chefs, extraction specialists, and cultivation experts.
Colleges have started responding to the growing demand by creating programs and courses that offer certificates and degrees in cannabis-related specialties.
Accreditation and Legality
Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. and in most states. Despite this, academic programs in cannabis are legal as long as they are not involved in the sale or possession of cannabis. Still, the legal and decriminalization landscape is complex, so schools, colleges, and universities offering such programs must comply with federal regulations to avoid conflicts.
Currently, there is no accreditation process for educational programs in cannabis, which increases the risks associated with obtaining a quality education. Without national legalization, the federal government has no incentive to create an accreditation agency for this field, and individual states lack the authority to do so.
However, there is a loophole in the accreditation law: public universities have regional accreditation, which means that cannabis courses and training programs fall under the institution’s overall accreditation status.
What Does It Look Like?
Oaksterdam University
Oaksterdam University in California advertises itself as the first cannabis college in the U.S. and offers programs related to cannabis, including a horticulture program that covers everything you need to know about growing cannabis—from seeds to harvest. The program also includes a “Cannabis Business” semester, teaching how to start a cannabis business and ensure it operates legally.
The only requirements are payment of tuition and a minimum age of 18. There are also 11 self-paced courses, with four currently offered for free.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
FGCU offers cannabis studies as part of its own comprehensive cannabis research program. In addition to “Cannabis Horticulture and Botany” and “Cannabis Pharmacology and Physiology,” there are courses on “Cannabis Law” and “Cannabusiness.” Graduates can build connections in the legal cannabis industry and potentially find employment.
Trichome Institute
Founded in Denver in 2014, the Trichome Institute (TI) aims to improve public knowledge about cannabis. It offers four courses:
- Professional Interpening
- Cannabis Consultant Training
- Extraction and Concentrates Fundamentals
- Cannabis for All
Each course is very short. The Professional Interpening course is the longest at 12 hours. The first three courses cost $249 each, while the “Cannabis for All” crash course is $15. While you won’t earn a degree here as you would at Oaksterdam, it’s an affordable and easy way to find out if your interest in cannabis is genuine or just a passing phase.
Larner College
At the Larner College of Medicine in Cleveland, students can take courses in cannabis science and medicine, aimed at future healthcare professionals to help them learn about the latest research in clinical cannabis applications. Other options include:
- Professional Certificate in Cannabis Plant Biology
- Pharmacology 200: The Past, Present, and Future of Cannabis
- Speaker series specializing in cannabis (online webinars)
- Community Medical School – studying the science of medical cannabis
The seven-week certification course costs $2,250. To qualify, students must be over 18, have a bachelor’s degree, and have completed basic college-level chemistry and biology courses.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont offers various online classes and certificates related to cannabis. There are five online modules on cannabis science and medicine, with access to materials available within 24 hours. The university also offers professional certificates in cannabis science and medicine and in cannabis plant biology. Certification programs are fully online and can be completed in less than two months.
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University offers a degree program related to cannabis. Students can major in “Medicinal Plant Chemistry,” which includes courses in cannabis business management, cannabis biology and chemistry, such as organic chemistry, plant physiology, botany, genetics, plant physical geography, accounting, and financial management. Graduates are prepared for careers in cannabis research or to start their own cannabis-related businesses. Even if a student doesn’t enter the cannabis industry, the knowledge gained allows them to work in several other fields. Few people have expertise in biology, chemistry, and accounting all at once.
The average cost of the first year at this university is over $16,000, and for in-state students, about $10,000.
What’s Next for Cannabis Education?
Will it be normal in 20 years for high school graduates to attend college for a cannabis-related major? Industry experts predict that new programs will emerge. It’s in the interest of cannabis companies to invest in and encourage educational opportunities in this field.
The truth is, creating a cannabis studies program isn’t easy, as many states are still debating regulations, making the legal aspects of these programs complicated. For example, at the University of California, Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center, researchers must ensure their work doesn’t unintentionally cross any legal boundaries.
The center’s leadership must pay close attention to both state and federal laws, especially as they evolve, to inform campus researchers about what they can and cannot do to advance knowledge and understanding in this area.
Ultimately, it makes sense for colleges to continue developing cannabis studies programs, especially when there is high demand from both students and the industry itself.