Israel College Offers Medical Cannabis Bachelor’s Program

Israel’s Max Stern Yezreel Valley College will offer a bachelor’s degree program in medical cannabis starting next academic year – the first in the country to offer such a program, the Jerusalem Post reports. Third-year students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience at cannabis farms and production plants, and attend seminars with industry professionals.

Yezreel Valley College president Prof. Itzhak Harpaz compared the burgeoning cannabis industry with Israel’s cyber industry a decade ago.

“This industry is already characterized by many new ventures and technologies, and it is already clear that its economic potential can reach tens of billions of dollars. We are proud to be the first to develop an academic specialization in the field of medical cannabis. Considering the significant impact that this industry will have on the Israeli economy in the coming years, skilled professionals are required to enter the field of medical cannabis and progress alongside it.” – Harpaz, to the Post

Earlier this year, the government gave final approval to a plan for exporting medical cannabis. Officials estimate the exports could bring $1.09 billion into government coffers. In Israel, cultivation and export permits are granted by the Health Ministry and require law enforcement approval. Last year, the government announced a pilot program to make medical cannabis available in pharmacies.

Throughout the U.S. and Canada, several traditional institutions have announced various degree programs focused on the business and cultivation of cannabis and potential medical applications. Other organizations have launched cannabis-centric schools that focus exclusively on the industry.