Syracuse University Announces Cannabis Industry Certificate Program

Syracuse University is partnering with cannabis education provider Green Flower on an industry certificate program, which will include three eight-week, fully online classes. The program will cover the Business of Cannabis, Agriculture and Horticulture, Law and Policy, and Healthcare and Medicine.

The announcement comes about a month after lawmakers passed, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed, cannabis legalization reforms.

Michael Frasciello, dean of University College, said the “new market-sensitive certificates” represent the university’s “role in supporting growth-oriented economic initiatives in New York state.”

University College is the academic college of continuing education and professional studies at Syracuse University. These certificates are meant to complement existing credentials and advance the knowledge and practice of cannabis for professionals across multiple sectors, the University said in a press release.

Green Flower has also partnered with Florida Atlantic University on a six-month, non-credit certificate program. Its other academic partners include Northern Michigan University, the University of California at Riverside, the University of San Diego, Mount Aloysius College, Northwest Missouri State University, Western Washington University and St. Joseph’s University according to a University Business report.

“We saw the commitment by the university of expanding offerings for working adults and lifelong learners as an obvious sign that the university wants to serve all types of students in every stage of their growth and careers.” – Daniel Kalef, Green Flower vice president of higher education, in a statement.

“With the new legalization of cannabis in New York and neighboring states, cannabis knowledge and education will be in high demand and extremely popular as people begin to navigate the legal cannabis landscape and find ways to be a part of the predicted record growth,” he said.