Rider University, a private college in New Jersey, will offer a cannabis studies certificate program in the fall semester which will be open to anyone interested in a cannabis industry program with no prerequisites or previous degrees required.
The program, 100% online, will include courses on accounting and finance, communications and marketing, sales, management, public policy, law, and research and development, Dr. Victor Thompson, chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology, said in a press release. Dr. Thompson added that the “certificate will prepare students for roles that go beyond the budtender.”
Dr. Sarah Trocchio, assistant professor of sociology and criminology, explained that college staff and faculty “want as many people as possible to have access to this program to help build their careers” in the cannabis industry.
“As cannabis legalization continues to expand, our students will be able to enter the field with the skills, experience and connections needed to succeed.” – Trocchio in a statement
In the fall 2020 semester, Trocchio led a special topics course called “Reefer Madness: From Panic to Profit” wherein she and the class conducted a survey of New Jersey residents regarding their attitudes about cannabis legalization, personal use, and social justice implications prior to that year’s election. That research will appear as a poster presentation during the CannX conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The program explores the biological, legal, ethical, business, and practical aspects of the cannabis industry through four courses and the capstone course is taught by an industry professional, which will allow students to gain experience and learn about future internship and job opportunities, the college said.
New Jersey legalized cannabis in 2018. Late last month, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) suggested that adult-use sales in the state could begin “within weeks.”
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End
