Learn About Cannabis: 5 Cannabis College Degrees in the US

LSSU, located in Michigan, knows cannabis chemistry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, outpacing even technology and healthcare jobs. The College of Science and Environment has offered this bachelor's degree since 2019, making it the first-degree program in the United States that focuses on the quantitative analysis of cannabis-related compounds (THC, CBD, terpenes, etc.)

Some of the program’s objectives are:

• Providing students with a solid foundation in chemistry courses like organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, and biochemistry.

  
  

• Developing techniques in cannabis extraction and separation.

  
  
• Equipping graduates with the necessary skills for future employment in the emerging cannabis industry—law, laboratory sciences, public health and safety, business applications, etc.

Do keep in mind that this degree concentrates on the chemistry of cannabis and the use of chemical analysis as a tool for health & safety, regulation, and law enforcement, meaning students won’t be growing cannabis plants at home.

This program is offered in both baccalaureate and associate degrees. Additionally, students may qualify for an American Chemical Society (ACS) degree as well.

Contrary to LSSU, SUNY Morrisville offers a specialty crops & cannabis production certificate program as well as a cannabis industry minor. This university is located in the state of New York.

Some of the highlights include:

• Using hemp plants to study cultivation techniques, which is very similar to the marijuana plant, but lacks the levels of THC that cause psychoactive effects.

  
  
• Cultivating and learning will take place all year-round, thanks to the indoor growing capabilities at the Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) Greenhouse.

This multidisciplinary minor offers students a unique opportunity to gain an extensive comprehension of the cannabis industry by integrating elements from agricultural science, horticulture, and business programs, as well as providing the flexibility for students to specialize in specific areas of interest The objective is to equip them with a diverse skill set so they can acquire a well-rounded education that prepares them for an industry that’s ever-evolving.

This bachelor's degree provides its students an understanding of basic chemical and biological principles that can be applied to the emerging field of cannabis science. An advantage is its location in southern Colorado, which provides strong agricultural expertise in producing cannabis and cannabis products.

The program consists of various concentration areas in which students can specialize in the field they have more interest, like hemp agriculture, analytical and natural products, plant chemistry, cannabis research, and more. Overall, the core studies will give them the tools to understand cannabis physiology and growth, as well as the pharmaceutical implications and the practical applications of the industry.

The increasing legitimacy and legality of medicinal plants have generated a great demand for the cannabis industry, where qualified personnel has great opportunities to excel in the field. This 4-year undergraduate degree prepares students in cannabis, herbal extract, natural product industries, analysis, distribution and business.

Like other universities, NMU believes there is a surge in business related to the cannabis economy, and the truth is there is a major gap in educational opportunities available to prepare people for this field. As the historical stigma associated with the herb starts to quickly vanish, the world needs to be ready. Educational and unbiased information needs to be granted; the industry demands it.

Some of the program highlights are the following:

• This degree combines rigorous coursework in chemistry and biology with research and hands-on instrumental analysis.

  
  
• Focus on entrepreneurship and laboratory accreditation, meaning that graduates will be qualified to perform analysis in a laboratory while also having the tools to build their own dispensary.

Along with the states previously mentioned, New Jersey is among the 37 that currently have legal medical cannabis. This minor allows students to specialize in any other major while studying medical cannabis, cannabis law, and internship preparation. Stockton University enables its students to be interdisciplinary professionals in the making, allowing them to choose the complementary degree they wish.

Additionally, there’s a new online cannabis studies certificate! This course consists of changing the stigma of cannabis through public relations, which serves as an add-on credential for those in PR or the cannabis industry.

Cannabis Industry. Lake Superior State University. Retrieved from https://www.lssu.edu/college-science-environment/school-science-medicine/cannabis-chemistry/#toggle-id-1

Cannabis Studies at SUNY Morrisville. SUNY Morrisville. Retrieved from https://www.morrisville.edu/cannabis

Cannabis Biology and Chemistry, BS. Colorado State University Pueblo. Retrieved from https://www.csupueblo.edu/cannabis-biology-and-chemistry-bs/index.html

Medicinal Plant Chemistry. NMU Chemistry. Retrieved from https://nmu.edu/chemistry/medicinal-plant-chemistry

Minor in Cannabis Studies. Stockton University. Retrieved from https://stockton.edu/general-studies/cannabis-studies.html