The University of Mississippi is expanding its academic offerings with the introduction of a master’s program in medical cannabis and dietary supplements. This two-year online program, scheduled to begin in Fall 2024 under the School of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s oversight, is designed to facilitate learning in the growing fields of dietary supplements and medical cannabis. As marijuana legalization gains momentum across states, academic institutions nationwide are innovating their curricula to foster learning and professional development opportunities in this booming sector. The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy pioneered this trend in 2019 by introducing a master’s degree in medical cannabis science and therapeutics. Today, a multitude of community colleges and universities offer various levels of degrees and courses in this domain, with further expansion anticipated. David Colby, Director of Online Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences Department, pointed out the exceptional demand met by Ole Miss’s medical cannabis and dietary supplements master’s program. The program is designed to offer specialized training for individuals seeking career growth in dietary supplements, encompassing herbal products, or medical cannabis. Unlike similar programs, the Ole Miss curriculum focuses more on product design than the application of cannabis products, thus not primarily concentrating on ailments and treatment. “Our emphasis is on equipping students with the skills necessary for success in the industry,” Colby underscored. Leveraging the University of Mississippi’s expertise, he added, “We’re a national leader in dietary supplements and medical cannabis, looking forward to developing a comprehensive curriculum to benefit our students.” The program operates independently from the university’s on-campus growing facility, focusing on educating and training aspiring industry professionals. It also targets individuals already part of the dietary supplements or medical cannabis industries aiming for career progression. Colby anticipates a primary enrolment from those already partially or fully employed in the industry, seeking career growth. This master’s program is structured to focus on dietary supplements in the first year and medical marijuana in the second, covering 30 credit hours. Both sections will follow a similar trajectory of historical context and practical application. The second-year medical cannabis component will delve into policy and law, formulation and manufacturing, standardization and chemistry, pharmacy and toxicology, and plant genomics. Hayley Prescott, Instructional Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Sciences, will instruct the first-year dietary supplements courses, aiming for a robust educational foundation for the workforce. Prescott’s classes intend to dispel misconceptions about dietary and herbal supplements, fostering critical thinking skills among industry participants, thereby nurturing a more informed consumer base. The legalization of medical cannabis in Mississippi since 2022 has led to a surge in the field’s interest. Colby highlighted that the pharmacy school’s medical marijuana courses see swift enrolment, with up to 50 students waitlisted for a single course. This master’s degree forms the initial phase of an extensive curriculum focusing on natural products and medical cannabis, addressing the escalating nationwide interest and demand. Amid this growth, numerous institutions are introducing cannabis programs to meet industry requirements. As per the Washington Post, nearly 321,000 Americans were employed in the legal cannabis industry in 2021. Considering that half of Americans admit to having tried marijuana at some point and 17% claim regular usage, the need for an educated workforce in the industry becomes clear. As the Gallup annual Consumption Habits survey reported, “As marijuana has become more accessible to Americans and legal in an increasing number of states, their reports of use and experimentation have increased as well.”

There are several other universities that offer cannabis-related programs, such as degrees, certificates, or courses. Here are some examples:

Lake Superior State University in Michigan offers a bachelor’s degree in Cannabis Chemistry, which focuses on the quantitative analysis of cannabis-related compounds and contaminants1.

Northern Michigan University in Michigan offers a bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Plant Chemistry, which covers the cultivation, extraction, and analysis of medicinal plants, including cannabis1.

Minot State University in North Dakota offers a bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Plant Chemistry, which also includes courses on hops and brewing, in addition to cannabis1.

City College of San Francisco in California offers an associate degree in Cannabis Studies, which explores the history, culture, and policy of cannabis, as well as its medical and recreational uses2.

Learn more:

1. leafly.com

2. leafly.com

3. msn.com

4. yahoo.com

5. hightimes.com