Now , Two Missouri Community Colleges Offer Cannabis Education Courses
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Missouri
Cannabis Jobs Surge
Now , Two Missouri Community Colleges Offer Cannabis Education Courses
The Missouri cannabis industry now employs nearly 17,000 workers , and job growth continues to surge . Currently , 54 cultivation , 78 manufacturing , and 199 dispensary businesses are open for business throughout Missouri . In addition , 144 new microbusiness licenses will be awarded beginning October 4 , and those new businesses will also hire employees . It ’ s the perfect time for job seekers to explore education and training .
Missouri ’ s medical and adult use cumulative marijuana sales were reported at $ 1,234.7 Billion ( October 2020 thru June 2023 ), and total sales for June 2023 alone reached $ 121.2 Million . That monthly sales figure is typical for combined medical and adult use sales . Data shows Missouri marijuana sales are topping $ 4 million a day .
The demand for jobs has not gone unnoticed by community colleges . Kansas City ’ s Metropolitan Community College ( MCC ) is stepping forward to educate tomorrow ’ s workforce for Missouri ’ s newest billion-dollar industry , with classes beginning this fall .
Increasingly schools acknowledge that this industry needs well-trained workers — the job data proves it . MCC officials say it will be the first college in the Kansas City metro to offer cannabis certification training online through its Green Flower cannabis education program partnership for three not-for-credit online classes to offer certificates .
MCC offers cannabis industry certifications for Cannabis Cultivation Specialists , Cannabis Retail Specialists , and Cannabis Extraction and Product Development Specialists . The courses are not for college credit . Each nine-week course costs $ 750 and is 100 % online . Students will receive course certificates — which are attractive to employers seeking employees who are highly trained and educated . Highly trained employees are something the industry has been lacking until now .
Q : How much time should I expect to devote to the program ? A : Students should expect to dedicate around six hours per week to complete coursework in this nine-week program .
Q : What are the start dates for the programs ? A : The programs are self-paced , and you can register and begin the courses at any time . Once you complete your registration , you ’ ll receive an email with course access .
Q : Are scholarships or financial aid available for the cannabis programs ? A : These programs are currently not eligible for federal aid ; however , a payment plan is offered .
For anyone looking to enter this field , this is your opportunity to learn from leading experts in the cannabis industry and take your career to the next level by joining the ranks of other successful cannabis professionals ! To learn more about MCC ’ s Cannabis Education and Training , visit https :// mcckc . edu / cannabis or call 816.604.1000 .
St . Louis Community College to Offer Cultivation Classes — Hands-On Learning
St . Louis Community College at Meramec ( STLCC ) is also offering three in-person , for-credit cannabis education courses . The STLCC offerings include :
● An introductory lecture
● A cultivation course on growing techniques with a lab component
● A lab methods course on extraction techniques .
The courses have space for 24-30 students and typically fill up fast .
Beginning fall of 2023 , it will be the firsttime St . Louis Community College at Meramec offers a course that focuses on the production and study of cannabis .
“ St . Louis Community College at Meramec is very excited to be at the forefront of education in this new industry ,” said Meramec campus president Feleccia Moore-Davis , Ph . D . “ It ’ s clear which direction things are heading in the cannabis industry . When it comes to preparing students for the workforce , we want to be ahead of other institutions . It really comes down to ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs and industries that are in demand .”
The horticulture department at STLCC- Meramec is expecting approval from the State of Missouri Department of Higher Education to offer a certificate of specialization in cannabis and hemp production , according to horticulture program coordinator Jerry Pence . The certificate will help connect students to jobs in the industry .
What sets the STLCC courses apart from others in the area ?
“ I believe we are on the forefront as far as the hands-on components go and as far as having students work with the actual hemp plant in their labs ,” Pence said . “ I know that some ( other programs ) use tomato plants and have online components to their courses .”
Many of its students in the class already work in the industry and look for ways to refine and add to their skill sets . Other students have no experience cultivating cannabis and want to learn to help get them employed in the industry .
The time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester . To learn more about the program and enroll , visit https :// stlcc . edu / news / 2023 / new-cannabis-program . aspx .
For current job postings , visit MoCannTrade at www . mocanntrade . org ( see News and Resources and then Jobs Board ). You can also contact a dispensary near you and inquire about job openings .
34 September 2023 See Army veteran succeeds in the cannabis workforce on page 40 . �