Western Washington University starts online Cannabis course for industry hopefuls
Western Washington University Launches Cannabis Product Development Certificate Program.
Want to break into the cannabis product industry? A new online certificate program at Western Washington University (WWU) is offering a course that teaches people how to develop and design cannabis gummies, chocolates, oils and more.
It’s the latest move to bolster cannabis education offerings through the university.
It’s called the Cannabis Product Development and Design certificate and allows the opportunity to “delve deep into the science of cannabis extraction, how to craft exceptional products that cater to a variety of preferences and needs and strategies for building a compelling cannabis brand,” according to the program’s website.
WWU is partnering with Green Flower, which partners with universities and colleges to offer cannabis curriculum to help train the emerging cannabis workforce.
“We’re teaching people how to make cannabis products,” said Green Flower CEO Max Simon. “That includes all sorts of different kinds of products from edibles to tinctures to topicals to concentrates and more.”
Simon said pot product manufacturing is a growing business with people seeking products not just for recreation, but for sleep, pain, depression and more.
“It brings a real form of legitimacy and trust and credibility especially to people who take these programs because you can really use the university’s credibility as a leverage point,” said Simon.
Simon said that legitimacy has the cannabis industry knocking on the door of the federal government. Right now, the federal government recognizes marijuana as a "Schedule I" drug, but the Biden administration is recommending marijuana be demoted to a "Schedule III" drug.
Rescheduling marijuana could open more avenues for research and allow businesses to bank more freely and openly.
“When you look at the industry today and you see it’s generating billions of dollars in revenue, it’ one of the fastest growing job markets and that its creating immense opportunity for people that work inside of the space to gain new responsibilities, it’s a really exciting industry to be a part of,” said Simon.
