With the growing popularity of medicinal cannabis and legal hemp-based products such as CBD oils and creams, colleges and universities are seeing the wisdom of preparing students for this burgeoning industry.
Medical cannabis is now legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia, and recreational usage is permitted in 11 states. Because of these changing mores and the continuing destigmatization of cannabis, colleges and universities are seeing new opportunities for education.
The U.S. cannabis market, if legalized, could be worth $28 billion today and $41 billion by 2028 “on a pre-tax basis,” according to an analyst from Barclays. If taxed at the same level as tobacco, a $41 billion cannabis market could be worth nearly $28 billion in tax revenues.
Schools across the country, including Doane University in Nebraska, Minot State University, the University of Denver, Vanderbilt Law School, and the University of California, Davis, are offering a variety of cannabis-focused four-year undergraduate degree programs, certification classes and even graduate degrees. Course topics include medical research, legal issues, dispensary operations and more.
Read more at universitybusiness.com