Minnesota’s Retail Cannabis Industry Sees Growth in Educational Opportunities
As Minnesota’s recreational cannabis industry continues to take shape, colleges across the state are stepping up to provide professional cannabis education to equip the workforce. St. Cloud State University (SCSU) has become the first school in Minnesota to offer non-credit professional cannabis programs, partnering with Green Flower, a leading cannabis education platform.
The university’s programs focus on high-demand areas such as cultivation, business, medicine, compliance, and product development. According to Green Flower’s CEO, Max Simon, formal education is crucial in the cannabis industry, which is heavily regulated and competitive. The programs aim to provide students with trustworthy and credible education to navigate the complex issues in the industry.
Since launching its cannabis studies program in 2023, SCSU has seen hundreds of students enroll in its certificate and workforce training programs. The university has reported that over 380 individuals have enrolled in its six-month certificate programs or nine-week workforce training programs.
Green Flower has also partnered with St. Paul College and Minnesota State Community and Technical College, powering cannabis education at dozens of schools across the country. Simon emphasized that the company has seen significant opportunities created as new markets grow in new states.
The next class at SCSU is set to begin on July 8, and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has announced that the next general retail lottery will be held on July 22. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, colleges like SCSU are playing a crucial role in preparing a workforce equipped with specialized knowledge to meet the industry’s demands.
