The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the cannabis industry added 50,000 new jobs to the American economy last year, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. As such, cannabis has finally warranted a place in higher education with courses that are tailored specifically for those interested in pursuing a career in the marijuana sector.

According to the business outlet, a handful of schools recently unveiled their first cannabis courses. Here’s a glance at the newly minted offerings.

The University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy
Maryland University’s School of Pharmacy announced that it will offer a master’s degree program in medical cannabis. The two-year program will “provide students with the knowledge they need to support patients in the medical cannabis industry, add to existing research, and develop well-informed medical cannabis policy.” Students will be instructed on the basic science and clinical uses of the plant, in order to meet the increasing demand for medical cannabis. Graduates will be prepared to step into a clinical, scientific, or policy role within the field.

Cornell University
The New York-based Ivy League university will offer its first cannabis course this fall: Plant Science 4190, Cannabis: Biology, Society, and Industry. The upper-level lecture will explore the history and culture of the sector and will look to tackle some of the legal and horticultural issues facing the burgeoning industry. The goal of the course is to “stimulate new ideas” that will help the cannabis industry become a profitable, safe, and developed one, and to identify new opportunities for expansion and growth.

Doane University
Nebraska still bans both medical and recreational marijuana, but that won’t stop this private university in Crete from offering an online Professional Cannabis Certificate Program starting this fall. The program, titled “Cannabis Science and Industries: Seeds to Needs,” aims to be a foundation of knowledge for those looking to work as cultivators and processors, as well as those looking to work in more ancillary roles. Graduates will walk away with knowledge in areas like cannabis science; cultivation and processing; and regulations, safety, and compliance.

Interested in pursuing a career in cannabis? Explore our HerbForce division.