With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio in 2024, sales of the product have topped more than $242 million, with more than 120 licensed recreational dispensaries across the state, according to a recent report from .
5X社区 has been prepared and ready to support those looking to work within this rapidly growing industry since legalization took effect. In December 2023, the university announced it would partner with Green Flower, an industry leader in cannabis education and training since 2014, to to prepare students for the emerging industry in the state. Kent State Lifelong Learning鈥檚 cannabis certificate programs, which began in January 2024, are open to the public for enrollment and offer focuses in four areas 鈥 business, healthcare, compliance and agriculture.
Since launching in January 2024, more than 200 students have enrolled in the online program.
As , many of those enrolled are working professionals looking to make career pivots later in life. In this regard, the asynchronous, online program is an added convenience for busy professionals. More than 60 students have completed the 24-week program since its launch.
鈥淎ll of the courses are asynchronous, meaning you take them online at your own pace, and you set up or you enroll in those individual courses, and they鈥檙e all online. So these are not traditional semester courses, they鈥檙e not traditional students on a campus,鈥 said Eric Mansfield, assistant vice president for content strategy and communications at Kent State.
According to the Vangst 2023 Jobs Report, which tracks cannabis industry trends by state and nationwide, Ohio鈥檚 legal cannabis industry grew by 24% in 2023 and created more than 1,300 new jobs in the state.