175
The Fine Print
Spiro Sertsis, CPA, CMA
@SpiroSertsis
content, but also guest speakers who have shared their insights with our students in each course that we’ve run to date. In addition, GrowWise Health takes part in the free public question-and-answer sessions we’ve been holding this year to help people better understand medical cannabis and to help reduce the social stigma associated with its use. Along with all this, GrowWise Health provides selected placement opportunities for our post-secondary students, so that they have the chance to gain first-hand experience working in the industry.
CCIM: For those that are not aware of GrowWise Health, part of Emblem’s educational service, provides physicians with the latest medical and scientific aspects of cannabis treatment and best practices related to patient treatment; this program currently offered at Durham College is for business professionals… are there plans to offer a more medically focused course at the college in the near future?
DC: Durham College is currently exploring the opportunity to develop a course specifically for healthcare providers. I anticipate that we will have some exciting news on this front later in the year.
CCIM: Does the college plan on any horticulturally focused cannabis related programs as well, similar to Niagara College and Dalhousie University?
DC: Durham College has adopted an approach to cannabis education that is very different from those of other colleges. In the School of Continuing Education, we are specifically focused on the non-horticultural aspects of the cannabis industry – primarily business and healthcare. However, it is very important to note that other academic schools within our college are incorporating cannabis studies into a variety of existing post-secondary programs, at both the diploma and graduate certificate levels. For example, quality assurance and regulatory components are being added to our Chemical Laboratory Technology - Pharmaceutical and Food Science program. Courses within our Supply Chain and Operations Management – Business Administration program will include information on the cannabis supply chain. Cannabis case studies will be added to various courses in law and ethics and content relating to cannabis legalization is being incorporated into courses in our Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program and Social Service Worker, Developmental Services Worker and Child and Youth Care programs. With all that said, we are also considering future opportunities in other program areas, including – potentially – horticulture.