PHOENIX — Metro Phoenix students who have the munchies for knowledge have something fresh on the menu: GateWay Community College is launching six new online Cannabis Career Certificate programs.

The college, part of the Maricopa Community College system, first introduced cannabis business training in 2020.

Its latest rollout significantly broadens that foundation with updated curricula, lower pricing and instruction from more than 50 industry professionals.

What are the six new cannabis career certificate programs?

The cheapest of the six new programs costs $850. It’s an eight-week program that students can take to earn a Cannabis Associate Certificate. It teaches students about cannabis policy, plant science, industry sectors, compliance and more.

By the end, students will be ready for entry-level roles across the industry.

The other five programs take place over 16 weeks and cost $2,200 each.

• Cannabis Cultivation Specialist Certificate: Students are prepared for cultivation roles across indoor, outdoor and greenhouse environments.
• Cannabis Product Development Specialist Certificate: Students learn how to develop cannabis products from extraction to finished goods, such as edibles, concentrates, drinks and more.
• Cannabis Retail & Sales Specialist Certificate: Students gain product knowledges, sales skills and best practices for dispensary and brand sales jobs.
• Cannabis Compliance Specialist Certificate: Students learn how to manage compliance across retail, manufacturing and cultivation operations.
• Medical Cannabis Specialist Certificate: Students are prepared for roles in dispensaries, clinics and other settings that serve medical patients.

Why are there six new cannabis career certificate programs?

The programs were developed in partnership with Green Flower, a company college officials describe as a leader in cannabis education.

Max Simon, Green Flower’s CEO and founder, said the certificates also come with extensive career support through the company’s Cannabis Career Resource Center, aimed at helping students enter or advance in the growing cannabis industry.

“These new Cannabis Career Certificates are built to match exactly what employers are hiring for in each sector of the cannabis industry,” Simon said in a recent announcement.