Minnesota's growing cannabis industry is an opportunity for college students.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College offers three, nine-week certificate programs focused on careers within the cannabis industry.
"A lot of students are interested in the cultivation specialist role or training," says College President Dr. Carrie Brimhall. "But we also have students that are looking at product development, retail, marketing, other areas of the field that would be different skill sets within the industry."
Around 350 students have enrolled in the 'bite-size' cannabis programs over the last year with many seeing the nine-week commitment as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
"So we really look at ways to get students from A to B as quickly as possible and B is a place where we can pay our bills, where we have family-sustaining wages, where we can start to understand our skill set and believe in ourselves," explains Brimhall.
Even thought the market has seen significant delays and complications, creating a dynamic and, at times, uncertain environment, the state's expanding cannabis industry is on the verge of some rapid growth following the 2023 legalization of marijuana use by the State Legislature. Officials expect a $1.5 billion market in the state in the next four years.
Brimhall says many are just hoping to get a foot in the door.
"You might just be interested in understanding the industry in different ways, but the steps, safety, health benefits, those are the things we're hearing mostly from students, is they think it's one thing and then they get into it and realize it's much more complex and nuanced than perhaps they thought when they started the nine week program," she adds.
Programs being offered include cannabis cultivation, retail, and extraction/product development. Over the past year, nearly 350 students have enrolled in Minnesota State Community and Technical College's programs.
Brimhall says their partnership with leading cannabis educator, Green Flower, is proving to be invaluable, especially when adjusting to the rapidly changing industry.
"They're already developing, and have developed, new courses that we haven't offered this year that will be on our schedule for next year," says Brimhall. "So they keep a pulse on it as well as, of course. That's what we do as well but it's really just, you know, what do we need to know? We listen to a lot of industry experts."
The next round of classes begin September 3rd.