High-minded education: Universities offer cannabis certifications

Jeremiah Poff

December 26, 05:00 AM December 26, 05:00 AM

At least 19 universities have partnered with a cannabis business education group to provide students interested in the high-minded field with specialized certificates.

This month, Louisiana State University became the latest public higher education institution to partner with the organization Green Flower to provide a cannabis education certificate. The program is exclusively online, and the eight courses can be completed in as little as six months.

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“We’re so excited about this partnership with LSU to offer these four certificate programs in medical cannabis. We have one that’s specifically for healthcare practitioners, we have a business of cannabis program, we have an agricultural program, and we have a compliance and risk management program,” Max Simon, the CEO of Green Flower, said, according to WAFB.

Green Flower partners with a number of other institutions to "provide cannabis education that will help prepare you for a rewarding cannabis career."

Other schools working with the organization include the University of San Diego, the University of Arizona, Syracuse University, Florida Atlantic University, and Mount Aloysius College.

"Whether you already work in the industry and want to level up your job skills, or you want to transition into a cannabis career, these programs will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this fast-evolving industry," the Green Flower website says.

The LSU program begins next month and promises to provide students with skills useful in the cannabis industry, including "cultivation, business, compliance, distribution, manufacturing," and other areas.

"Cannabis skills are in demand," the LSU website says. "The cannabis industry is creating thousands of exciting career opportunities in Louisiana and nationally, yet a significant shortage of qualified professionals exists. Louisiana State University now offers the highest quality non-credit university certificates with focused instruction from top experts in the cannabis industry."