How Missouri’s Academic Institutions Are Nurturing the Next Generation of Cannabis Professionals
Karina Hernandez has always felt at home among greenery, her fingers deep in soil. Even after earning a biology degree, she returned to academia, enrolling in horticulture courses at St. Louis Community College at Meramec—Missouri’s most extensive horticulture program.
To her astonishment, the course offerings included classes on hemp and cannabis cultivation. On the inaugural day of her cannabis introductory course, Hernandez and her peers discussed their motives for enrolling. “It’s a burgeoning field, and it feels great to be a pioneer,” Hernandez explained, “As long as I don’t have to work in an office setting—which is a sentiment many here share.”
Such student enthusiasm is possibly why Missouri has seen a surge in college cannabis certificate programs. Most of these are online, but some, like Meramec’s, offer practical training using hemp plants. This semester marked the launch of Missouri’s first-ever bachelor’s degree in cannabis and natural medicinals at Truman State University in Kirksville.
The burgeoning cannabis industry in Missouri, racking up approximately $120 million in sales each month, has also led to significant job growth. Since legalization, the state has seen a surge of nearly 8,000 licensed marijuana employees, totaling 17,615, as per a state report issued in August.
Stacy Godlewski, who manages Saint Louis University’s online certificate program in cannabis science and operations, confirms this trend. “Companies continually reach out to me in search of potential employees, and students often secure jobs in the industry even before completing the program,” Godlewski said.
Such programs are gaining popularity fast. The standout feature of these courses is the roster of industry professionals who teach them. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of career options in the field, as they learn directly from the experts.
Newly introduced this semester is Metropolitan Community College’s program, in collaboration with California’s Green Flower, offering three different certificates. What differentiates Truman and St. Louis Community College’s programs is the hands-on experience with live hemp plants, a key aspect emphasized by Patrick Vogan, an assistant professor of horticulture.
Pending state approval, St. Louis Community College aims to solidify its standing with an endorsement from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Truman State University’s Tim Walston, the dean of science and mathematics, also touched on the program’s broader scope. Aside from cannabis, the curriculum will cover other natural medicinals like essential oils and plant-based medicine, offering students a well-rounded foundation.
Thus, for those interested in the scientific, cultural, and legal nuances of natural medicinals, these programs offer more than just a ticket into a booming industry; they provide a pathway to meaningful careers.
