LIM College Launches Cannabis Industry Bachelor’s Degree Program

New York’s LIM College on Tuesday announced the creation of its Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in cannabis which the college says is the first of its kind in the nation and set to launch during the fall 2022 semester.

Elizabeth S. Marcuse, president of LIM College, said that the college has monitored “the explosive job growth in the cannabis sector” and found “that employers are seeking skills and experience often possessed by fashion business professionals plus cannabis industry knowledge.”

Cannabis major courses will be taught by Chris Jones, the founder of Cannabis Xpress, and Marianne Cursetjee, CEO and co-founder of Alibi Cannabis. Development of the program included input from Penelope Nam-Stephen, chief commercial officer for Community Growth Partners, and Sarah Falvo, director of community for the Arcview Group, a financial and consulting services firm for the cannabis and hemp industry.

“This program is very timely because the rapidly-evolving cannabis industry currently needs entry-level executives who will view the industry through a professional and business-oriented lens. Having a well-qualified pipeline of talent in this heavily regulated and fragmented industry will help us progress more efficiently. It is also a wonderful opportunity for people to enter the cannabis space through a conventional academic path.” — Nam-Stephen in a press release

The college notes that last year the number of full-time jobs in the cannabis industry grew by 32% to 321,000, according to the Leafly Jobs Report.

The college, based in Manhattan, is currently accepting applications for the program.