You can now major (or minor) in cannabis in college.
Years ago, “I majored in cannabis” meant you smoked a lot of weed. Today it means something very different: colleges are training students to become professionals in a multi-billion-dollar, highly regulated industry.
The spark? Jobs. Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in America. Vangst, the country’s biggest weed jobs platform, teamed with Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics to track 444,455 full-time cannabis jobs by the end of 2024.
To put this in perspective, cannabis jobs now outnumber dentists, pharmacists, and bakers. That’s not smoke; that’s data.
- Dentists and Dental Hygienists – 424,085
- Pharmacists – 335,100
- Physical Therapists – 267,200
- Bakers – 231,890
- Veterinarians – 130,415
Keep in mind that these numbers do not include cannabis ancillary or support jobs such as security camera installation, website design, and accounting. These industries often treat cannabis companies as just one client on a roster.
To meet demand, colleges first rolled out courses in cultivation, then science, then business. A few schools offer interdisciplinary degrees, too.
Here is a list of some institutions that were pioneers in granting cannabis degrees:
- Northern Michigan University – Medicinal Plant Chemistry (2017)
- Stockton University (NJ) – Minor in Cannabis Studies (2018)
- Lake Superior State University – Cannabis Chemistry, Cannabis Business (2019)
- Colorado State University (Pueblo) – Cannabis Biology & Chemistry (2020)
In Virginia, Roanoke College has joined the wave of cannabis education. The liberal arts school now offers two degree tracks—Cannabis Science and Social Justice and Policy Issues—along with a four-course minor.
D.B. Poli, Director of their Cannabis Studies Program, put it this way: “Creating an academic discipline shapes generations who never lived through prohibition. Academia makes sure cannabis history, law, and culture are recorded and re-examined. That’s the value.”
Although cannabis degrees vary in scope, the most common cannabis courses offered are:
- Introduction to Medical Cannabis – the 101 of plant medicine.
- Cannabis Law and Policy – an examination of ever-shifting state, federal, and international regulations.
- Cannabis Cultivation and Horticulture – get your hands dirty in the service of healthy plants.
- Cannabis Extraction and Product Development – where innovative science meets concentrates.
- Cannabis Business and Entrepreneurship – turn weed into wealth.
Students who are earning or have earned cannabis degrees in college depict their experience in the following ways:
Dylan Cockerill, who will be the first graduate from Stockton University’s Hemp & Cannabis Business Management degree program, said, “My mother was enthusiastic and supportive about my ambition to pursue a career in cannabis. I envision a future where anyone across the country can pursue education or a career in the cannabis industry without being stigmatized or belittled.”
Alex Eckman explained, “Before enrolling at LSSU, I spent a few years working hands-on in cannabis production facilities, but the Cannabis Chemistry degree gave me the scientific foundation to back up that experience with actual analytical rigor. It deepened my understanding of core chemistry principles and the use of analytical tools, while also connecting me with peers, mentors, and administrators who opened various doors across the industry. That combination of technical skill and relationships continues to shape my career today.”
Current Stockton University cannabis student Lilly Dempsey remarked, “Cannabis is the missing puzzle piece to my purpose. I get to chase my passion, pioneer in New Jersey’s scene, and inspire other women to embrace their voice. De-stigmatizing the plant and creating educated consumers is essential. Learn endlessly. Chase your passion. Advocate for cannabis.”
While these students are forging new paths at traditional universities, not all high-level cannabis education happens on campus. Community colleges, adult ed programs, and certificate courses offer shorter, focused training. Private schools like Oaksterdam teach cultivation, business, and compliance skills. These programs often cover material that complements what students learn in degree programs.
More cannabis degrees are coming. Colleges need students. The industry needs talent. The plant needs advocates.
The classroom doors are open, and a new generation of cannabis professionals is walking through.
For the first time, you can say with a straight face: I majored in cannabis.
Photo by Charles DeLoye on Unsplash
