PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – A unique set of courses is in high demand at UW-Platteville this semester. The university is offering online cannabis education certificate programs for students interested in all aspects of the industry.

Through a partnership with Green Flower, a national cannabis curriculum provider, UW-Platteville offers classes on a variety of topics related to the industry, including the business of cannabis, cannabis healthcare and medicine as well as an agricultural course that teaches students how to grow the plant commercially.

“Because cannabis is fairly stigmatized and also is a brand new industry, most people don’t really understand what those roles are,” Green Flower CEO Max Simon said. “They don’t understand the opportunities, and they certainly don’t realize there’s this exciting new career path in front of them.”

Though growing cannabis is not legal in Wisconsin, Simon said people can gain firsthand experience by practicing with hemp or similar plants.

“We really fundamentally feel that no matter what the legalization status is, if this is something you’re interested in, there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved now,” Simon said. “You might be surprised that being early to get educated also allows you to be early to take advantage of the opportunities in the business.”

Despite the negative stigma surrounding cannabis, Simon said demand for courses is high across all 60 schools Green Flower works with across the country, including UW-Platteville.

“We’re living in a new era, and it’s a new era where cannabis is becoming legalized,” Simon said. “It’s increasingly accepted and it’s becoming a career path people are really excited about, and so it’s probably time to take it seriously.”

Though Gov. Tony Evers has called for cannabis legalization in Wisconsin in the past, those efforts have not been successful.

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