Minnesota’s Growing Cannabis Industry Sees Surge in Educational Opportunities
As Minnesota’s recreational cannabis industry continues to take shape, colleges across the state are stepping up to provide students with the training and education they need to succeed in this emerging field. St. Cloud State University (SCSU) has taken the lead, becoming the first school in Minnesota to offer non-credit professional cannabis education.
SCSU’s cannabis programs, which were launched in 2023, have already seen hundreds of students enroll in their certificate and workforce training programs. The university’s partnership with Green Flower, a leading cannabis education platform, has provided students with a comprehensive education in high-demand areas such as cultivation, business, medicine, compliance, and product development.
“We believe SCSU offers the most comprehensive non-credit professional cannabis programs,” said a university spokesperson. “Our mission is to meet workforce demand by preparing educated professionals as the cannabis industry continues to evolve.”
Green Flower’s CEO, Max Simon, emphasized the importance of formal education in the cannabis industry, citing its complexity and heavily regulated nature. “Formal education is how people get that trustworthy and credible education to be able to navigate these difficult issues that are real in the cannabis industry,” he said.
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 grow, it’s clear that education will play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of professionals to succeed in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
