OVERVIEW
QVCC’s Cannabis Studies program creates an opportunity for students to learn about the United States’ fastest growing bumper crop. The Cannabis Studies program explores the legal challenges confronting cannabis farming, production, and consumer use; cannabis cultivation techniques and cannabinoid/THC extraction processes; the farming economics of land, labor, and capital; governmental regulations and laws affecting small business, as well as issues relating to social justice and criminal justice; and developing opportunities in western and alternative medicines and therapies. The 18-credit Cannabis Studies certificate includes classes in alternative medicine, entrepreneurship, and communications.
Interested students should register for the following courses:
- LGL* 170 Cannabis Law and Policy (Spring & Fall)
- BBG* 101 Intro to Business (Fall)
- BMG* 204 Managerial Communication (Fall)
- HLT* 121 Survey of Alternative Healthcare (Spring & Fall)
- HRT* 113 Horticulture of Cannabis (Spring & Fall)
- BES* 218 Entrepreneurship (Spring)
Please see QVCC course offerings
Career Outlook
There are a variety of career paths you can take in the cannabis industry. The median pay in the cannabis industry is 11 percent above the median U.S. salary of $52,863.
Cannabis Jobs in Cultivation and Growing
Working for a cannabis cultivator puts you at the beginning of the supply chain. You’ll be helping to grow the cannabis that will eventually be used by patients and consumers. Some of the most popular cultivation jobs include:
- Master Grower
- Cultivation Supervisor or Assistant Grower
- Trimmer
- Cultivation Site Worker
Cannabis Jobs in Testing
Testing labs are an important part of the cannabis supply chain, particularly in states where testing is legally required. Following are some common jobs you could find at testing facilities:
- Laboratory Analysts
- Laboratory Technicians
- Lab Manager
- Quality Control Inspector
Cannabis Jobs in Processing and Manufacturing
Cannabis jobs in processing and manufacturing facilities are involved in turning raw cannabis from cultivators into products that can be sold in dispensaries or retail stores. Some of the jobs you can find in processing and manufacturing are:
- Extractor