Want a job in the cannabis industry? Elmira College launches certificate programs
Looking to get into New York state’s growing cannabis industry?
Elmira College can help.
The college on Tuesday announced the addition of three cannabis programs designed to provide skills training for careers in the new industry.
The courses are non-credit, certificate programs. Certificates will be offered in advanced dispensary associate skills training, cannabis extraction and product development, and cultivation. Elmira College partnered with Green Flower, an industry leader in cannabis education, to offer the courses.
“With the surge in the cannabis industry in New York, skilled professionals are, and will continue to be, needed,” said Dr. Patricia Ireland, Elmira College provost. “This non-credit, professional program extends the reach of EC's existing medicinal plant chemistry concentration, by offering opportunities beyond a four-year degree for those looking to enter the industry or those who are currently in the industry and want to expand their skills and knowledge.”
How long are the cannabis courses?
Elmira College said each certificate program takes nine weeks to complete. The courses are offered fully online, with no formal start date. Students can register and begin courses at any time.
Instruction is offered online by expert faculty members vetted and selected by Green Flower, according to the college. Graduates who earn their certificates will have access to Green Flower's employer network.
More: Court allows more cannabis dispensaries in NY, but black-market weed still big threat
Chemung County New business opening in former Shepherd's Food Market: Meet the Pine City Post
How much do the cannabis courses cost?
The cannabis courses cost $800 and are now open for enrollment. Elmira College is offering a $50 discount to students who register by June 16 using the ELMIRA50 discount code.
Corning What's new on Market Street? Corning native's business plots growth across Finger Lakes
What is Green Flower?
Green Flower was founded in 2014 in California. The company has partnered with colleges and universities across the country, including Syracuse University and the University of San Diego.
Green Flower says it “provides customized learning and compliance solutions for cannabis businesses of all sizes, and equips individuals with the skills and credentials necessary to make an impact in the modern cannabis industry.”
What is the state of the cannabis industry?
New York state legalized cannabis in 2021, and retail dispensaries have begun to open over the last several months. Dispensaries are currently open in Ithaca and Binghamton, with another in the works in Corning.
Jobs are also available at cultivators across the state.
“As a highly-regulated industry, the need for expertise in all of these areas of cannabis is vital for the future workforce and the businesses who will employ them,” said Daniel Kalef, Green Flower’s vice president of higher education. “We applaud college leadership for taking a significant and groundbreaking step in offering ways for people to train for careers in the fastest growing industry in New York and the country.”
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Cannabis classes offered at Elmira College: What certificate includes
