Adult-use cannabis is a massive market that will continue to grow over the next decade. The industry’s growth means more job opportunities and career paths for individuals ready to fill those roles. One of the best ways to prepare for a job in the cannabis industry is to earn a cannabis certification by attending a workshop or class at a cannabis college.
You may be asking yourself, “are all weed colleges and cannabis certifications the same?” Let’s pick apart that question below.
What is a Cannabis College?
Simply put, a cannabis college is a higher-education establishment where you can learn about cannabis and related topics.
Depending on the specific institution, you can earn degrees or certifications by completing a course at a weed college.
Some non-cannabis-specific schools and universities have begun offering classes on cannabis. For example, some medical programs now offer courses on medical cannabis. Additionally, many emerging colleges and universities focus specifically on weed, from horticulture to the business behind the industry.
Are Cannabis Certifications Important?
In a word, yes! Some jobs require applicants to have specific certifications, but even for positions that don’t need them, earning certificates can help you stand out from other applicants and help you excel in your new career.
Why are Marijuana Certifications Important?
First and foremost, earning a cannabis certification will help you dive deep into learning about a given topic. At Oaksterdam, we believe that more knowledge is always a good thing, whether you’re working towards a career in the cannabis industry or just want to get informed.
Cannabis certifications are also tangible proof of your expertise in a given subject. It’s one thing to know a lot about a topic like budtending, but it’s another to have a certificate from a respected institution backing up your knowledge.
Finally, cannabis certifications can help you excel in your career or further studies. Obtaining a weed certification can help prepare you for future education or employment.
Weed Certification vs. Cannabis License
Though they sound similar, there are a few differences between weed certificates and cannabis licenses.
Certificates are awarded by a school or university. These certificates prove that you took — and passed — a class or course of study. Having it in writing legitimizes your experience and is often invaluable for applying to jobs or further education programs.
Licenses and permits, however, are awarded by a government agency. Individuals and businesses must apply for these licenses and follow specific eligibility protocols. Marijuana licenses allow companies to operate legally and must often be renewed regularly.
Can You go to College for Weed?
Yes! More and more colleges and universities across the country are beginning to offer classes and sometimes even degree programs on cannabis and related topics. There are also several institutions like Oaksterdam University dedicated solely to cannabis education.
What Kinds of Cannabis Courses Can I Take?
Cannabis is a large, exciting industry, and curious students can take classes on virtually any aspect of the wide world of cannabis.
Some of the most popular categories of cannabis-related classes are business, budtending, horticulture and extraction. In cannabis business classes, you will learn how the industry works behind the scenes and gain knowledge about what it takes to operate a cannabis business in today’s legal landscape. Budtending classes will teach you how to be a world-class budtender, with information about responsible consumption, cultivars, and effects. In cannabis horticulture classes, you will learn about the botany behind the cannabis plant, including how to grow, tend, and breed high-quality cannabis. If you’re science-minded, in cannabis extraction courses, you can learn how to safely work in a laboratory setting, developing one of the industry’s fastest-growing product categories.
What Kinds of Cannabis Degrees Can I Get?
Cannabis courses take several different forms. You can take classes to earn a certification to further your career, work toward a more extensive program of study and eventually earn a degree, or just enroll because you’re curious about cannabis and all it can offer.
Oaksterdam offers various cannabis degrees, certifications, classes and programs. With self-guided and live courses available in subjects throughout the cannabis industry, Oaksterdam has something for every kind of student.
How Can I Go to Cannabis School?
Classes at Oaksterdam University are open to everyone, whether you are a professional looking to deepen your knowledge, a student hoping to break into the industry or a curious cannabis consumer.
Browse our course catalog and contact us today to learn more about how you can jumpstart your cannabis career with a certification from Oaksterdam University.
