With the expanding legalization of recreational and medical cannabis nationwide has come an increased need for well-trained people to work in the highly-regulated, complex cannabis industry.

The legal cannabis industry already supports over 428,000 full-time jobs nationwide, and the industry is growing significantly faster than other industries. Arizona alone exceeded $1 billion in total annual cannabis sales in 2022.

The need for credible cannabis information extends beyond the cannabis industry itself - to health professionals, legal professionals, law enforcement, and many other professions affected by cannabis legalization.

About the University of Arizona Cannabis Certificate Program

The University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education non-credit Cannabis Certificate program is designed to meet the current and future cannabis industry workforce needs and position participants for professional success in this thriving industry.

Instructors are experts in the cannabis industry, including cannabis entrepreneurs, board-certified physicians, pharmacologists, attorneys and public policy specialists.

Participants can choose to earn a Certificate in the Business of Cannabis, Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine or Cannabis Compliance and Risk Management.

• The Business of Cannabis: For anyone considering a career in cannabis or hemp, specialist knowledge is the key to unlocking the industry’s most exciting opportunities. The cannabis landscape is complex, ever changing and unique. This certificate will provide you with a clear understanding of the cannabis industry, how it got there, and where it’s going.
• Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine: Cannabis medicine is a rapidly growing sector of the healthcare industry, yet trusted and credible information is hard to come by. For healthcare professionals seeking a career in cannabis medicine, or looking to add cannabis expertise to their existing practice, this course offers expert, in-depth instruction on the medical properties of cannabis.
• Cannabis Compliance and Risk Management: This program will prepare you to become an in-demand compliance professional within this fast-evolving cannabis industry. You will gain an understanding of the risks related to operating a commercial cannabis business and learn how to mitigate them with a proven Cannabis Risk Management Framework. You will also be prepared to take the Certified Commercial Cannabis Professional (CCCP) exam through the Association of Certified Commercial Cannabis Experts (ACCCE). A one-year ACCCE membership is also included.

Each Certificate includes three eight-week courses and can be completed in about six months.

Who Should Earn a Cannabis Certificate?

The Cannabis Certificates are designed for professionals in a variety of occupations.

• The Business of Cannabis: entrepreneurs, business professionals, operators and manufacturers
• Healthcare and Medicine: healthcare providers, allied health professionals, retail professionals, or manufacturers
• Compliance and Risk Management: entrepreneurs, business professionals, operators, manufacturers, legal professionals and others who are interested in the legal, compliance and risk management aspects of the industry

Learn More

Course Schedule and Format

Each non-credit Certificate starts with a Cannabis 101 course, introducing the history, culture and industry of cannabis. After completing Cannabis 101, participants complete two additional specialized courses to earn their non-credit Cannabis Certificate.

The courses are fully online and asynchronous, meaning you do not need to be online at a specific time to complete your coursework. There are weekly assignments and activities to keep you engaged and on-track to complete your Certificate. You will also develop a portfolio of case studies and projects that you can use to demonstrate your sector-specific cannabis knowledge.

You should expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to complete your coursework.

What Is Included in the Cannabis Certificate Program?

• Three eight-week online courses
• Completion of a portfolio of case studies and projects to demonstrate your cannabis industry knowledge
• A Certificate of Completion from University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education upon successful completion of the program
• Access to the GF Institute Employer Network upon successful completion of the program: includes a digital badge to display your credential, as well as membership to the GF Institute, the professional organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of professionalism, credibility, and equity in the cannabis industry
• Cannabis Compliance and Risk Management also includes a one-year Association of Certified Commercial Cannabis Experts (ACCCE) membership, which includes access to additional resources and training materials

Paying For Your Program

Payment plan options are available for qualifying participants. Payment plan options may include additional fees.

Questions?

For additional information, please contact Green Flower at cannabis-ce@arizona.edu.