DENVER — Metropolitan State University of Denver is launching two new cannabis certificate programs to create a pipeline of new employees and restore the state's reputation as the "Silicon Valley of Cannabis."
The school says it will be the first higher education institution in the nation to offer current students and industry professionals a comprehensive view of cannabis hospitality.
“We saw a need for supply chain education in the cannabis industry ending with responsible vending and consumption,” said MSU Associate Professor of Cannabis Shannon Donnelly. “Here in Colorado, we are the forefront of cannabis legalization, as well as new cannabis license types like cannabis hospitality.”
The university will offer an entry-level Cannabis Hospitality Specialist Certificate and a more advanced Cannabis Hospitality Manager Certificate. Both certificates will be offered to degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students, with classes to begin this fall.
“Bringing together the idea that we want to educate our students on how to enter this industry as well as being in Denver, we knew it was the time to launch these new certificates,” Donnelly said. “I really see students being able to get a director of cultivation job after this or working as an infuser or even starting their own cannabis business.”
The announcement was part of the school’s inaugural The Green Frontier Conference, where more than 12 industry leaders participated in panel discussions, business seminars and cooking demonstrations. MSU Denver introduced the formation of state and international advisory boards that will provide recommendations to the University and collaborate on joint initiatives and curriculum.
“We are adding 3 new classes around cannabis as part of this certificate,” Donnelly said. “Cannabis in a global economy, cannabis laws and regulations, new course talking about intoxication and responsible sale in a hospitality industry.”
According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, tax revenues are slipping in the cannabis industry. In 2023, sales were at $1.3 billion compared to 2021 when sales peaked at $2.2 billion in sales. Donnelly said even though the state numbers are dropping, the national and global cannabis industries are booming.
“Even though there’s been a dip here in Colorado, we still are hiring for cannabis employees,” Donnelly said. “So, if a student gets one of these certificates, it will help them be more competitive in that job market and also help the industry thrive more because we will be instilling professional values.”
Luke Mantych graduated from MSU Denver with a degree in craft beer and pub operations in December. He now works as a bartender for a high-end dining group called The Workbench, where they incorporate cannabis hospitality through their dining experiences.
Mantych was part of a culinary demonstration teaching students about cannabis and foods during the conference.
“It’s very exciting to see that this school is launching certificates,” Mantych said. “I went here for beer, which is already kind of out there, and then I was able to take a lot of cannabis courses here while I was getting my degree, and I think it’s really cool to be a part of an organization that supports changing things and moving forward.”
According to the school, it takes a year to earn each certificate and students earn 15 credit hours per certificate toward their college degree. Donnelly said she just wants students to know that there’s a place for them in the industry.
“We are legalizing cannabis consumption lounges,” Donnelly said. “So [we] want to dive in and provide more cannabis education and be in a place where cannabis and consumption hospitality is going to be booming sometime soon.”
For more information about the certificates, visit MSU Denver's website.
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