Learn About Cannabis: 7 College Minor Cannabis Degrees in the US

Are you aware that universities in the United States are already investing in preparing young adults for cannabis studies degrees? There are a few colleges that have already embraced this subject already, slowly but surely changing the way people normally think about cannabis. 

The ever-evolving nature of the cannabis industry presents a unique opportunity in a silver plate where educational institutions could potentially play a grand role for a breakthrough in this field by contributing to research, innovation, and educating future scientists.
 

More than a few universities are already embracing this shift by participating in the formal development of the cannabis industry. The goal is to provide valuable resources for students, intrinsically contributing to a broad understanding of cannabis that will pave the way for a progressive society. 

Think about the marvelous amount of knowledge they would be sharing—critical thinking, scientific inquiry, evidence-based decision-making… The sky is the limit!

College minors offer a range of benefits, from intellectual exploration to career advantages, personal growth, and customization of the academic journey each student follows. Minors help undergraduates develop a well-rounded education, acquire additional skills, and stand out in a competitive job market. While considering the significance of minors, let’s explore the prospect of pursuing a minor in cannabis studies.
 

Specializing in a secondary area is a chance to dive into the beginning of a line of expertise. Students are able to delve deeper into the subject they’re passionate about, even if it’s not their primary focus. Remember that this can be valuable when applying for jobs or furthering education in cannabis related fields!
 

And speaking about applying for jobs—it is widely known how hard it is to get one nowadays. However, having a minor in cannabis can increase career opportunities because it demonstrates a broader range of skills and knowledge. This will most certainly make graduates more versatile and adaptable in a competitive and ever-changing world, since it will open doors to career opportunities that require interdisciplinary expertise or a combination of skills from multiple fields. For example, a business administration major with a minor in cannabis studies can have a competitive edge when applying to a cannabis dispensary.

Furthermore, let us not forget the fact that having a minor in something that is interesting to a student can lead to personal and intellectual growth. Pursuing a minor in cannabis studies can be intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling, further developing critical thinking skills and engaging with different perspectives within the industry. Additionally, minors allow students to tailor their academic journey according to individual interest and career goals. Exploring a passion outside their primary field will only provide a curriculum that aligns their aspirations.
 

Finally, while college serves as a crucial period for academic growth, it is equally important to prioritize enjoyment and fun. Students don’t need a detailed justification to add cannabis studies as a minor; if it resonates with you, then it’s a valid choice. Ultimately, the decision to pursue any minor —including cannabis—should be guided by personal goals, aspirations and the desire of enjoying those four years to the fullest.

As it was mentioned earlier, pursuing a minor in cannabis allows cannabis enthusiasts to gain a set of skills and knowledge that will most certainly help them in the future. Without the pressure of dedicating four years to cannabis studies, a minor in that subject is a great way to academically explore the herb—in other words, this is where your hobby and a potential career meet.

University: Colorado State University-Pueblo

 Location: Pueblo, Colorado

 The Colorado State University-Pueblo offers all students an opportunity to incorporate the 22-credit Cannabis Studies Minor within their major. This degree features classes in psychology, sociology, and chemistry.

 A very important note is that students don’t need to have a medicine and science background, but for those who do, this public university allows an immersive Bachelor of the Sciences in Cannabis Biology and Chemistry. This degree is most certain to prepare students for laboratory-based career paths within the cannabis industry.

University: Medgar Evers College
 

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Did you know that Medgar Evers College is home to the first cannabis degree in the system of the City College of New York? This cannabis minor offers a great variety of classes where you will be able to choose from. Adding these minor studies to your major will provide you with great knowledge from areas such as science testing, science commercialization, and social & health impact.

University: Stockton University

 Location: Galloway Township, New Jersey

Stockton University is one of the 21 states that have legalized recreational marijuana. This public university offers a cannabis studies minor that consists of five courses, three of them being medical cannabis, cannabis law, and internship preparation. Their fourth course consists of an internship in a wide variety of areas such as cultivation, small business operations, patient research, etc. Finally, their fifth course is an elective where students can choose from the related general studies area.

University: SUNY Morrisville
 

Location: Morrisville, New York / Norwich, New York

 This multidisciplinary minor offers students to use hemp plants to study cultivation techniques, allowing them to cultivate and learn all year round in their specialized greenhouse, the Controlled Environmental Agriculture, also known as CEA.

Apart from the Cannabis Studies Minor, this public university also offers a Cannabis Industry Minor, Associates in Horticulture, and a Bachelor’s of Tech in Horticulture Business Management.

University: Syracuse University

Location: Syracuse, New York

The private research university of Syracuse offers an 18-credit online minor that provides a strong foundation of knowledge across the cannabis industry, which includes governing laws, plant science & extracts, medicinal properties, plant cultivation & harvesting, as well as business and employment opportunities.

University: Western Illinois University
 

Location: Macomb, Illinois
 

This interdisciplinary minor offers students a foundation for understanding the socio-cultural, historical, and politics of cannabis use in the United States and around the globe. Aside from studying the culture around cannabis, the public university of Western Illinois also focuses on cannabis production. While the latter focuses on biology-based studies, the former takes more of an anthropological approach.
 

This minor offers “an inclusive experience, drawing on a variety of backgrounds and modes of understanding, in addition to emphasizing how societal structures have affected drug legislation, business ownerships, and the current and future challenges anyone entering this industry is likely to face,” as stated by the university.

University: Grand Valley State University
 

Location: Allendale, Michigan
 

This face-to-face and online minor consists of 20 credits, available to currently enrolled undergraduate students. While the cannabis operations management minor prepares students to work in the retail cannabis industry, it is also an interdisciplinary program that focuses on social justice and safety issues related to cannabis use, the cannabis industry, and the role of community development and organization.