BURLINGTON — Vermont State University (VTSU) is the Educational Partner for the 2026 Vermont Cannabis Convention, the university announced. The partnership connects the state’s largest cannabis industry gathering with the state’s most established academic pathway into cannabis careers, VTSU’s Cannabis Studies Certificate Program.

The Cannabis Studies Certificate program is a 12-credit interdisciplinary program that introduces students to the cultural, economic, legal, and scientific dimensions of cannabis, and includes hands-on experience in cultivation, research, and commercial operations. Students also complete the Cannabis Employee ID Card Compliance Training required for anyone working in the Vermont cannabis sector. This blend of academic study, practical skills, and mandated certification positions VTSU as a key resource for preparing Vermonters to enter cannabis careers.

Founded in 2018 by the New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN) and Vermont-based entrepreneurs, the Vermont Cannabis Convention has grown into the state’s largest cannabis industry gathering with more than 75 exhibitors and 30 speakers each year. As the Educational Partner, VTSU faculty are directly helping shape convention programming that reflects the needs of the industry and the students preparing to join it.

“It is an honor for VTSU’s Cannabis Studies Program to collaborate with NECANN’s 2026 Vermont Cannabis Convention as the Educational Partner,” said Dr. Phil Lamy, VTSU Cannabis Studies Program director. “Our goal is to organize a wide variety of panels, presentations, and hands-on workshops featuring cutting-edge cannabis professionals from New England and beyond. This unique partnership with the NECANN brand and Vermont’s leading cannabis convention producer expands VTSU’s mission to a wider professional audience.”

Convention Organizer, Eli Harrington, said bringing the industry and educators closer together provides real-time feedback for all parties.

“The workshops and speakers are a huge reason why people attend, and having a direct line with VTSU and their partners in the industry gives us the kind of feedback to know exactly what the Vermont cannabis workforce needs and what students and job-seekers need to know to fill those needs,” he said.

Thanks to an ongoing partnership with government and educational partners in Ghana, VTSU Cannabis Studies faculty will also host colleagues from Ghana’s cannabis industry as participants in panel and workshop discussions. Harrington said that the VTSU to industry pipeline is already active and believes the partnership will bring value to all attendees, from the home grower, to the consumer, to the more than 1,200 cannabis industry professionals in Vermont.

He added, “The beauty of Vermont and our cannabis industry is that at our core, we’re still a human-scale, grassroots community where you can connect with individuals in person and ask the expert speaker a question in the hallway or have a real discussion with panelists at their table about cultivation or genetics.”

Cannabis professionals and experts are invited to submit an application to be a speaker, and more information can be found at https://necann.com/speaker/. 

All other information about tickets, sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, and signing up as an exhibitor, can be found at https://necann.com/vermont/.