By 2022, the cannabis industry is projected to create over 500,000 jobs
THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY ONLY GAINED MOMENTUM DURING THE PANDEMIC AND JOB GROWTH IN THE LEGAL CANNABIS MARKET IS OUTPACING OTHER OCCUPATIONS BY 250%
College of Innovation and Solutions
CANNABIS BUSINESS
Fast tracking graduates for a wide range of careers both in, and adjacent to, this progressive new industry
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Those seeking employment as future managers, supervisors, investors, and business development leaders within the local or national cannabis industry should participate in our baccalaureate of science in cannabis business program. The program tailors the basics of business management principles to specific cannabis business functions and operations.
Students in this program study the state, federal, provincial, and international established and developing cannabis laws. The course offerings are carefully curated to provide graduates with the skills to plan, develop, and operate a cannabis business within legal constraints. Students study the history of cannabis, examine the complexities of this new market, and explore the variety of ways to engage in cannabis business. These cannabis-specific courses, along with the common professional business core courses, provide students with the knowledge, training, and practical experience required to become successful business professionals.
The program advisors encourage but do not require, students to take elective courses in the certificate program in Cannabis Production, the associate program in Cannabis Science, or the bachelor’s program in Cannabis Chemistry to augment their skills in safety and testing. With an increased focus on good manufacturing practices, mold and toxicity testing, and strict compliance, students that combine cannabis business and cannabis chemistry are setting themselves up to participate competitively in a booming market.
For those interested in pursuing cannabis higher education credits without completing a full degree, LSSU offers a certificate in cannabis production. This option is lucrative for professionals in other industries that are seeking to transfer their skill sets into the cannabis market. Participants in the certificate program range from recent high school graduates to individuals transitioning after decades in another career or industry.
GOALS
Courses in these programs focus on preparation that will allow participants to be able to…
- Explain and analyze the history of cannabis criminalization and legalization and its effects on employment, policy, and the economy
- Prepare a business canvas, pitch deck, and marketing plan for startup cannabis businesses
- Explain, analyze, and compare and contrast state, federal, provincial, and international laws related to growing, distributing, and selling, cannabis product
- Take action steps to avoid common pitfalls businesses in this industry encounter
- Navigate strict marketing and advertising challenges the industry currently faces
- Operate, manage, and/or otherwise contribute to cannabis retail locations
- Serve as knowledge budtenders and corporate officers for cannabis businesses
- Participate in ancillary businesses that participate in the cannabis market
- Advocate for policy reform
- Ethically and professionally contribute to the cannabis market
- Network with local and national industry players who have delivered guest lectures in the cannabis business and cannabis chemistry courses
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
B.S. Cannabis Business
Common Professional Core (45 credits minimum)
ACTG 132 Principles of Accounting I (4)
ACTG 133 Principles of Accounting II (4)
BUSN 121 Introduction to Business (3)
BUSN 211 Business Statistics (3)
BUSN 231 Business Communications (3)
BUSN 350 Business Law I (3)
BUSN 403 Business, Government and Society (3)
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
FINC 341 Managerial Finance (4)
MGMT 280 Introduction to Management Information Systems (3)
MGMT 360 Management Concepts and Applications (3)
MGMT 371 Operations and Business Analytics (3)
MRKT 281 Marketing Principles and Strategy (3)
Major Requirements (47 credits)
BIOL 104 Survey of General Biology (4)
BIOL 235 Introduction to Protected Horticulture (3)
BUSN 101 Freshmen Seminar (1)
BUSN 308 Managing Cultural Differences (3)
CBUS 122 Survey of Cannabis Business (2)
CBUS 203 Cannabis Economics (3)
CBUS 305 Business of Cannabis Cultivation (3)
CBUS 360 Cannabis Law and Policy (1)
CBUS 389 Cannabis Entrepreneurship (3)
CBUS 466 Cannabis Business Policy (3)
MRKT 283 Principles of Selling (3)
MRKT 381 Consumer Behavior (3)
MRKT 383 Digital Marketing (3)
MRKT 384 Social Media Marketing (3)
MRKT 386 Mobile Marketing (3)
MATH 111 College Algebra (3)
SOCY 420 Sociology of Cannabis (3)
Free Electives
General Education (34-36 credits)
Complete the General Education Requirements
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.50 or higher. A gpa of 2.50 or higher is also required in your Major, and a gpa of 2.00 is required in your General Education Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there jobs?
Yes! The cannabis industry is set to out-pace both healthcare and technology jobs, with projected growth at 22% annually. Not only will you have a business degree (LSSU business graduates have over 94% job placement), you will also have the education and experience to work in a new and quickly expanding field.
Can I transfer into this program?
Yes!
Do I have to be a Michigan resident to enroll in this program?
No. In fact, LSSU offers in-state tuition to everyone!
Can I complete this degree online?
Several courses for this degree are offered online, so students can start their education at LSSU at any time. However, at this time not every required course for the degree is offered online.
Skills Needed in a Highly Regulated Field
LSSU is strategically positioning itself to the forefront of this emerging market, preparing the next generation of cannabis scientists and business leaders.
“With one of the leading legal cannabis markets in the country, Michigan is the prime location to prepare yourself for a career in the competitive and ever-changing cannabis industry. Our courses challenge students to understand complex laws and find solutions to unanswered questions. Unlike many other industries, the rules for cannabis businesses are frequently unknown and subject to change. To find success in this industry, students must develop hard and soft business skills. As one of the first universities in the country to offer full degree programs for cannabis education, LSSU is dedicated to helping students achieve aggressive goals. My primary goal is to produce conscientious, ethical, and motivated professionals that can participate in the cannabis space in ways that have yet to be done.”
$62,500
Average Starting Salary (Vangst 2018 Salary Guide)
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Provisioning center manager or assistant manager
- Cannabis company human resource professional
- Advanced Budtender
- Accountant with focus on serving cannabis companies
- Business Analyst for cannabis business or parallel industry
- Business Development Director/Manager
- Compliance Manager
- Content Strategy Manager
- Dispensary Agent
- Industry Business Consultant
- Lobbyist
- Licensee
- Market Research Analyst
- Marketing Manager
- Mergers and Acquisitions Director
- Operations Analyst
- Process and Compliance Manager
- Sales Representative
- Social Media Manager/Coordinator
- Regulator
- Cannabis Business Investor
WHY NOW?
- With the legalization of cannabis in both Canada and Michigan, there is a growing need for business leaders who have a firm understanding of the laws and policies inherent in this industry
- Total cannabis sales now exceed the National Basketball Association’s annual U.S. revenue and, by 2024, could surpass Americans’ annual spending on craft beer
- Michigan has become the third-largest state cannabis industry
- The industry could grow from $9.2 billion to $47.3 billion in North America over the next decade
- In Canada, they are estimating at least 1,700 open positions, and as many as 125,000 jobs
- The latest reports from last spring project job growth in the cannabis industry to be 15% per year
WHY LSSU?
Our business programs have a proven record of preparing graduates for meaningful employment. The core courses in this program provide that same core foundation in business. This Cannabis Business degree will focus on the differences between standard business practices and the additional requirements involved with cannabis enterprises.
Our professors are trained professionals with various accolades, memberships, and degrees. See more about the Lukenda School of Business professors here.
The Cannabis Business and Cannabis Chemistry programs share an advisory board. LSSU educators carefully selected the advisory board members who serve to identify market trends, pain points, and develop new course offerings.
