The cannabis industry is growing. Institutions of higher learning and other research organizations are now investing in the sector. University students who are interested in learning about the nascent industry and potentially developing a career in the industry will soon have a chance to do that. Two top US universities plan to offer cannabis degrees.
An official announced on February 10 that the art of growing cannabis would become a minor subject available at Western Illinois University in the fall. The institution’s school of agriculture in Macomb will offer the course acting on interest from the officials in such a class before adult-use marijuana became legal in January 2020.
The minor in cannabis production will need 18 to 19 credit hours and extra coursework provided by Western Illinois’ department of biological sciences. Andy Baker, the school of agriculture director, said that faculty members are still working on partnerships with hemp producers. They are also partnering with entities in recreational and medical marijuana businesses. Baker stated:
“There are certainly enough hemp producers in the state that (students) could get experience working in the field. There’s going to be some opportunities, and we’re still developing those relationships.”
Bakers said that he expects class sizes of 20 to 30 students, together with graduating marijuana growers. Currently, a new cannabis regulation bureau has been set up in the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Thus, new employment opportunities will come up in the state.
The recreational marijuana sales totalled almost $40 million in Illinois in the first month, as confirmed by state officials.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University plans to launch the program this fall at its Pueblo campus that is located almost 115 miles (185 kilometres) south of Denver. The Cannabis, Chemistry, and Biology program would focus on the science needed to work in the cannabis field. It will revolve around natural products and analytical chemistry, as explained by the officials.
David Lehmpuhl, College of Science and Mathematics dean, commented:
“It’s a rigorous degree geared toward the increasing demand coming about because of the cannabis industry. Hemp and marijuana have come to the forefront in a lot of economic sectors in the country. We’re not pro-cannabis or anti-cannabis. What we’re about will be the science, and training students to look at that science.”
The new curriculum would be the same as a double-majoring in biology and chemistry, as explained by the institution’s officials. Reportedly, the natural product coursework will place students in a lab setting. They will learn about the genetics of cannabis and many other plants together with extra courses in biochemistry, neurobiology, and genetics.
Also, the analytical chemistry coursework will place students in a lab setting. In this class, they will learn about the chemical compounds, including determining the type of cannabidiol concentration needed in a product. The lab is now licensed to grow industrial hemp, and the students may work with CBD.
The Colorado State University system will set up a new research center on the Fort Collins campus. It will be dedicated to studying cannabinoids this spring.
