A lot goes into creating and running a cannabis business. It’s why one California company is partnering with colleges and universities, including the University of Arizona, to offer cannabis education.

Max Simon is the CEO of California-based Green Flower, which offers cannabis education programs. UA is a partner and offers three certificates, all online.

“And so our programs are designed to train people into the business of cannabis, medical cannabis, as well as cannabis compliance through the University of Arizona,” he says.

Each course takes six months to complete. And it’s open to anybody over the age of 18, from consumers to those working in the industry.

“It’s not just the people at the retail level,” explains Simon. “It’s the cultivators who are growing these plants and making sure that they’re growing them safely and compliantly. It’s all the manufacturers who are using all sorts of solvents and chemicals and processes to create these different kinds of consumable products.”

Gateway Community College, which is part of the Maricopa County Community College District, also offers one six-month and three nine-week certificate programs.

“The reason why I think people are drawn to the cannabis industry is that there is a vastly larger set of opportunities for people to participate than most people realize. And whether that’s in an agriculture-side or a manufacturing-side or a retail-side or all of the services, whether that be marketing or sales or finance or accounting,” Simon said.

Simons says there are 22,000 people working in the cannabis industry in Arizona.

UA’s cannabis classes start this week.

EDITOR’S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.