UNM, Green Flower Partner for Cannabis Education

With recreational marijuana now legal in New Mexico, UNM Continuing Education is launching a new set of courses to prepare workers for careers in a highly-regulated new field. State officials are predicting that the industry is expected to bring in at least $50 million in new revenue this year and more than 11,000 jobs. The University of New Mexico Continuing Education is partnering with cannabis education and training leader Green Flower, to offer non-credit online certificate programs beginning Nov. 15, 2021.

“The cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing new market opportunities in the country,” said Audrey Arnold, executive director of UNM Continuing Education. “As providers of professional development and career education, we want to provide the knowledge and skills that our community will need to be successful in this rapidly growing market. We are thrilled as well for this innovative partnership with Green Flower who can offer solid education in this industry and an affordable and realistic approach in training.”

The four program options include the Business of Cannabis; Cannabis Agriculture and Horticulture; Cannabis Law and Policy; and Cannabis Health Care and Medicine. Each program consists of three 8-week courses over a 6-month period and students can complete at their own pace within that timeframe.

Students receive online instruction in their chosen topic area from industry experts, vetted and selected by Green Flower. Upon completion, students will earn a certificate from UNM Continuing Education. Courses within the four program options will be a mix of instructor-student, student-student, reading, and general discussion/interaction. The cost of each program is $2950 and enrollment is open now.

“Green Flower is honored to be working with the University of New Mexico and in particular the school of Continuing Education,” ” said Daniel Kalef, Vice President of Higher Education at Green Flower. “Since the legislature of the State of New Mexico passed legal adult use cannabis this past March, we set out to find the perfect university with whom to partner and offer our programs. We could think of no better university in the state than the flagship university, UNM.”

“In working with the leaders of the continuing education school, 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,” ” said Kalef. “With new rules and licenses coming in the new year, we applaud the leadership of the university for their foresight in wanting to offer certificate programs designed to prepare people for careers in what is now the fastest growing job market in the country. We are thrilled to partner with UNM and are excited to begin offering these programs to the public this November.”

To learn more about attending, visit https://cannabiseducation.ce.unm.edu.