Marijuana Business Magazine August 2019

August 2019 | mjbizdaily.com 77 ‘Higher ed’ As marijuana businesses prosper in states where the plant is legal, a growing number of universities and colleges are offering courses that will help prepare students for careers in cannabis. These institutions can serve as a talent pool for cannabis companies that are seeking early career professionals. Northern Michigan University is among the few schools to offer a four-year degree in the cannabis industry. Graduates of the program will receive a bachelor’s degree in medicinal plant chemistry. Other schools, such as the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), offer certificate programs. Still others, such as the University of Denver (DU), offer courses in cannabis—but no degree or certificate—through their business schools. And in June, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy unveiled what is being billed as the nation’s first graduate degree in medical cannabis. COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA CSN, which has campuses in Las Vegas and Henderson, offers three classes through its Division of Workforce and Economic Development, a self- supporting arm of the college designed to help meet the needs of the area’s businesses, as well as adult students seeking education opportunities, new skills and career advancement. Cannabis 101 focuses on the folklore, history and science behind marijuana. Green Collar Jobs presents an overview of the business, regulations, security and customer service involved in working in the marijuana industry. And Dispensary Customer Service teaches students about various products and how to serve customers. “We’re here for businesses, and if we see a need for employees and we can help fill that niche, we’re going to do that,” said Lillian Babcock, community and personal enrichment coordinator for CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development. UNIVERSITY OF DENVER DU’s Daniels College of Business doesn’t offer a certificate or degree in the marijuana field, but in spring 2017, it was the first school accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business to offer a Business of Marijuana course. The course examines different business aspects of the industry, including management, accounting and finance, marketing and ethics. The course combines relevant analysis of the industry with a range of guest speakers who are involved in the marijuana industry. “Getting a chance to ask questions of leaders in the industry has been the most impactful for students,” said Paul Seaborn, the assistant professor in the business school’s Department of Management who created the course. This year’s course culminated in students presenting plans for businesses in the cannabis industry. One group proposed recycling used soil, another proposed a spa that would offer consumption of THC and CBD on-site as well as treatments with infused products. There was a proposal for a company that would make CBD-infused energy bars and a consulting service that would provide analysis and due diligence services for venture capitalists and investors interested in marijuana companies. Students outlined their ideas, presented statistics about the industry that were relevant to their proposals and answered questions from judges currently working in the industry: • Julie Berliner, founder and CEO at Denver-based edibles maker Sweet Grass Kitchen. • Mark Grindeland, co-founder and CEO of Denver- based edibles company Coda Signature. • Carter Davidson, vice president at Denver-based recruitment firm Vangst. Seaborn, who is leaving DU to take a position the University of Virginia, said he’s been pushing school officials to offer certification and degrees in cannabis. However, because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the university is uncomfortable with offering a degree, according to Seaborn. “Having a course is one level of engagement, but going to the next level is something they’re not ready for,” he said. NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY As an independent state school, Northern Michigan University in Marquette was able to start its degree in medicinal plant chemistry during fall 2017 because the administration and board of trustees agreed it would be beneficial. The major proved to be popular, with enrollment increasing from about 20 students the first year to 225 students in 2018. The first students to join the program will graduate next spring. “When Snoop Dogg tweets about our program and we’re on national news shows, it’s bound to be popular,” said Derek Hall, the university’s chief marketing officer. “This is a very serious chemistry degree. We try to emphasize that these are chemists who are part of the industry.” – Margaret Jackson