Online Cannabis Studies Certificate

The Online Cannabis Studies Certificate Program is paused while under review.

Please check back at a later date to register. 

The Cannabis Studies Certificate

This certificate was developed to address a growing demand by people interested in entering Cannabis industry as growers, medical cannabis providers, or individuals involved with business and/or legal aspects of the industry. The courses created for the Cannabis Studies Certificate program were developed by Stockton faculty and industry leaders to address a growing demand by people interested in entering the cannabis industry.

The courses are designed to be entirely online and self-paced, and to provide an introduction to one of the most rapidly growing industries. 

 

Customize your certificate by selecting 6 of the 8 courses offered. This allows you to build a certificate program that is compatible with your needs. Course selection will be made when registering for the full Certificate Program above.

All courses are also available on an individual basis.

Individual Course Descriptions and Registration

  1. Environmental Issues and Sustainability

    This course was developed by Jack Palis, an industry leader in environmental business consulting and emerging issues. Palis developed this course to provide a better understanding as to why environmental issues and sustainability play a major role in the cannabis industry.

    Topics Covered:
    History and Evolution of Environmental Protection and Sustainability
    Environmental Regulation in NJ and the United States
    Environmental Issues for Starting and Operating a Cannabis Business
    Management and Best Practices
    Elements and Principles of Sustainability, Strategy
    Forward Focus on Social, Generational, and Personal Interconnections

    Online/ Self-paced

  2. Cannabis Communications: Exploring Perspectives and Messaging

    To be prepared for a career in this growing industry, it is important to understand how our views are shaped by communications about cannabis from various sources. This course will explore cannabis communications through a historical lens as well as identify how influences like education, media, religion, and entertainment contribute to messaging, ultimately affecting attitudes and beliefs about cannabis. Regardless of the role or specialization within the field, all cannabis professionals can benefit from an examination of messaging around the topic of cannabis.

    Online/ Self-paced

  3. Social Justice and Cannabis

    Rob Mejia developed this course to provide a better understanding about why social justice is important within the cannabis industry. Discover ways that the industry can be fair, inclusive, and appreciate the different approaches that states are taking to implement social justice policy.

    Topics Covered:
    History of Cannabis
    Race and Cannabis 
    Criminal Justice Reform
    Economic Opportunity
    Environmental Policies for Different States 

    Online/ Self-paced

  4. Risk Management and Insurance for Cannabis Businesses

    Developed by industry professionals Karen Adamsbaum and Jack Palis, this course is intended for anyone planning, starting, growing, scaling, or working in a cannabis or related business.  Everyone in a company has a role to play in managing the business’ risks.

    Topics Covered:
    Risk management is and how is it utilized in business
    The risk management process and the key elements 
    How risk management applies to different activities and stages of a company’s growth and expansion
    Options available to manage, control and transfer risk
    Insurance options and how to get the most out of your policies
    Loss event and how to file a claim
    How to manage your insurance program

    Online/ Self-paced

  5. The Cannabis Industry: Understanding the Opportunities

    This 7-module course introduces learners to the opportunities for employment in the cannabis industry.

    Topics Covered:
    Cannabis Basics
    Growing and Cultivation
    Extraction and processing           
    Retail and Medical Dispensary
    Hospitality, Marketing, and Communications
    Other opportunities and looking ahead

    Online/ Self-paced

  6. Cannabis Cultivation

    This course will provide information on basic cultivation practices and general knowledge of the cannabis plant including cultivation techniques, cannabis harvest, and cannabis drying and storage.

    Topics Covered:
    Seeds and Seedlings      
    Vegetative growth
    Clones and Cloning         
    Cannabis Flowering
    Before Harvest
    Harvest and Drying
    Grow Rooms

    Online/ Self-paced

  7. Introduction to Business

    The Introduction to Business course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of starting and operating a business from the proper formation mechanisms and structures to effective management, operation and financial reporting. (This course is not cannabis specific.)

    Online/ Self-paced

  8. NRF Retail Industry Fundamentals

    The NRF Retail Industry Fundamentals course focuses on customer service and the sales process. It will prepare you to take the NRF Retail Industry Fundamentals national certification exam which is included in the course. (This course is not cannabis specific.)

    Online/ Self-paced

 

 FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Cannabis Studies Minor different from the Cannabis Studies Certificate?

Cannabis Studies Minor courses are credit bearing. You must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Stockton University to be considered for these courses.

The Cannabis Studies Certificate program is non-credit bearing. You may take the class if you are an adult learner looking to enhance your knowledge of the cannabis industry. 

 

Are the Cannabis Studies Certificate classes online?

Yes. the Cannabis Studies Certificate classes are online. They are not offered face-to-face.

 

Are the classes self-paced?

Yes, the Cannabis Studies Certificate classes are self-paced. This means that you will be working through the program on your own and at your own pace.

 

Can the Cannabis Studies Certificate program classes be taken individually, or do you have to register for all of them?

You can take one or all of the classes within the Cannabis Studies Certificate program.

 

Who should take this certificate program?

Anyone who is in or aspires to become a part of the cannabis industry, or anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of the industry.

 

Will financial aid cover the cost of the program?

No, financial aid will not cover the program because it is noncredit bearing.

 

What is the application process?

There is not an application process. You may register at anytime by clicking the register button. If you have questions, contact our office at ContinuingStudies@Stockton.edu.

 

What happens after I complete the program?

After you complete the program you will receive an individual certificate of completion for each of the topics. You will also receive a certificate of completion for Cannabis Studies.

 

Is there an internship?

No, there are no internships available with the Cannabis Studies Certificate at this time.

 

What is the job market like?

The job market is strong and ever changing. Websites like glassdoor.com are a good resource.

 

Do I need a degree to take the Cannabis Studies Certificate?

No. You do not need a degree to take the program.  It is recommended to have some experience with online platforms, but it is not essential.

 

Is there a payment plan available?

We do not offer a payment plan. If you are interested in completing the program and are unable to pay for the certificate at one time, contact our office at ContinuingStudies@Stockton.edu.

 

When do classes start?

Once you receive your login credentials, you can start the program at any time.

 

How long does the certificate program take?

You are provided 8 months to complete the program.

Have you heard about CHRIS? Read about the Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative at Stockton.

Course Creator Bios

Rob Mejia

Rob Mejia, Teaching Specialist, Stockton University, Cannabis Studies

Rob Mejia is a full time Cannabis Teaching Specialist at Stockton University and President of Our Community Harvest: A Minority Owned Cannabis Education Company. At Stockton University he helped launch CHRIS -the Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative at Stockton- as a hemp and non-medical research hub and cannabis education center.

His cannabis authorship includes The Essential CannabisBook: A Field Guide for the Curious, The Essential Cannabis Journal: Personal Notes from the Field and numerous articles including bi-monthly articles for NJ Cannabis Insider called “Prof Mejia’s Weed Corner.”

In recognition of his cannabis advocacy and education efforts, he is the recipient of the Inaugural Excellence in Cannabis Education Award for the state of New Jersey.

https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2022/05/nj-cannabis-business-awards-2022-excellence-in-education-winner-revealed.html

 

Angela Speakman

 

When it comes to cannabis, South Jersey native Angela Speakman wholeheartedly believes in two things: all responsible cannabis use furthers wellness and access to education is the key to addressing cannabis misinformation and stigma. Influenced by her wide-reaching and varied professional experience as a communications strategist, especially in the public service, nonprofit, and higher education sectors as well as her advanced degree in Writing Arts, Angela operates from the principle that investment in strategic communication planning strengthens every aspect of any organization’s operations and success.

Angela’s highly developed communication skill sets are enhanced by her 10+ years in teaching communications at the college level as well as her Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certification. In 2022, she created the “Cannabis and Communications: Exploring Perspectives and Messaging'' course for the Stockton University Cannabis Studies Certificate program.

Angela is an adjunct faculty member of the communications department at Rowan University and a member of the Lead New Jersey class of 2019. She is also the co-host of the cannabis history and mystery podcast “Use This As You See Fit: The Diary of Mari.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaspeakmancommunicationsprof

Questions?

For more information email continuingstudies@stockton.edu or call 609-652-4227.

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