The University of New Mexico’s Communication and Journalism Department will offer a Cannabis and Communication course for the 2019 spring semester. Cannabis and Communication, CJ 293, will give students the opportunity to learn about communication of health and medical issues surrounding cannabis.

The course will address cannabis with a multitude of communication topics such as interpersonal communication, political communication, journalism, and entertainment media. 

“Marijuana is an important, controversial and emerging topic in the U.S. and globally," said Associate Professor Tamar Ginossar, who will be teaching the course. "Our goal is to introduce UNM students in all majors to the department and the fields of communication and journalism by engaging them in exploring some of the many different communicative dimensions of marijuana.”

“For example, we will examine elements of intercultural communication, coverage of marijuana in the news as well as new media — digital/social — as a political issue, and from a health communication perspective.”

Notably, UNM is one of the few colleges in the U.S. who offer cannabis courses.

“The class is unique and innovative, and it offers UNM students the opportunity to engage with communication theories and perspectives on a relevant and emerging topic,” added Ginossar. “Although some universities are including cannabis-related courses in their curricula, to our knowledge this is the first time that a university is providing a course that examines cannabis through an introductory communication course that is open to all students and is relevant to all majors.

Enrollment for this course is limited to 120 students. The course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–3:15 p.m. on main campus, in Mitchell Hall, for three-credit hours. 

For more information contact Tamar Ginossar at ginossar@unm.edu.