Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for cannabis, Northern Michigan University is offering a marijuana-focused degree — but stoners need not apply.

“Obviously, the program is new and different and it might speak to a certain crowd. But for a student to succeed, they’re going to have to be very dedicated and motivated,” Brandon Canfield, associate chemistry professor, told the Detroit Free Press of the medicinal plant chemistry Bachelor of Science degree.

“This is not an easy program. It’s a really intense, biology chemistry program,” Canfield added. He noted that while students won’t grow marijuana plants in the program, they do study similar plants with medicinal value.

The public university in the Great Lakes State launched the program for the fall 2017 semester, with about a dozen students currently enrolled. In addition to courses in chemistry, biology, botany and horticulture, students will also study marketing and finance, the paper reported.

“When they hear what my major is, there are a lot of people who say, ‘Wow, cool dude. You’re going to get a degree growing marijuana,'" said sophomore Alex Roth, a student of the program. “But it’s not an easy degree at all.”

While other colleges and universities offer classes or certificates in marijuana policy and law, Northern Michigan breaks ground to offer the first four-year degree dedicated to the science and business of growing marijuana.

Canfield was inspired to design the curriculum after attending the American Chemical Society’s annual meeting last year and hearing about the need for analytical chemists.

University officials believe that the program fills a growing need. To date, 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, including the eight states where marijuana is also permissible for recreational use, Fox 6 Now reports.

“Many of the states are legalizing different substances and they’re really looking for quality people to do the chemistry and the science,” university trustee James Haveman said to the Detroit Free Press. “And it’s the university’s responsibility to produce those kinds of students for those kinds of jobs.”

Evidently, Northern Michigan University’s chemistry department made a shrewd move in launching the program.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response from growing operations, dispensaries and other businesses who want to take on our students as interns,” Canfield said.

http://www.foxnews.com/lifesty...rijuana-studies.html

Few people actually realize just how big legal pot is. If states like Colorado are taking in hundreds of millions in taxes, what do you think the growers and processors are making? I know an HVAC supplier who is doing a brisk business with the small grow operations currently allowed in Michigan. Starting in December, large commercial medical marijuana growers can begin operation. There is a LOT of money to be made. And like any ag operation, they are going to need people who know what the hell they are doing to manage them.

There is going to be a huge demand for the knowledge gained in a program like this. I think in the long haul it will become a very lucrative vocation. I'll bet some of the grads with this degree will be making 6 figures in no time.

As Brad mentioned, there are huge dollars involved just in taxes alone.

Jim

You'll also want to Minor in Home Ec so you will know the proper way to bake the Brownies.

There are people out here in CO making millions of dollars. It will be lucrative field.

hopefully the feds will shut down this nonsense. And soon.

Let me help the Prof: "Today we will review civics and go over the Federal Controlled Substance Act, which classifies Cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, nationwide."

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
hopefully the feds will shut down this nonsense. And soon.

Let me help the Prof: "Today we will review civics and go over the Federal Controlled Substance Act, which classifies Cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, nationwide."

There's too much money at stake. Eventually, there will be a showdown between the states and the fed. States aren't going to give up this cash cow.

It's another mess of the Obama administration. Back when the first states tried this stunt, the administration said they would not enforce the applicable federal laws in those states. Another example of the Obama administration ignoring the rule of law. Idiots.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
hopefully the feds will shut down this nonsense. And soon.

Why?
It's just a class. Take a chill pill, man.

radioman, in the words of Bob Dylan, the times, they are a-changin'.

In the next decade or so, you will see the dominoes fall and you will see the Federal law amended.

When I go to the grocery store, it's very challenging to buy produce grown in the US. I used to love making pasta sauces but now rarely make it since most tomatoes are now sourced from Mexico.

If MJ becomes legal for sale in the US, why wouldn't it be the cash crop for other countries like Mexico just like all other produce? May be a stupid question because I don't know anything about MJ.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
radioman, in the words of Bob Dylan, the times, they are a-changin'.

In the next decade or so, you will see the dominoes fall and you will see the Federal law amended.

Dunno. Congress would need to, well, actually do something and pass something, and I don't see that happening for some reason. I could be wrong. At the very least it would take a different congress, which we will most likely have in a decade, so you are likely correct.

And in a few years...reports on health effects and loss of productivity from a stoned work force. Not to mention the safety hazards of impaired drivers.

Perhaps no better/worse than alcohol and lack of self control.

Perhaps....

Or maybe it will result in amazingly creative products and innovation which has been lackluster of late.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
Dunno. Congress would need to, well, actually do something and pass something, and I don't see that happening for some reason. I could be wrong. At the very least it would take a different congress, which we will most likely have in a decade, so you are likely correct.

During the period of Prohibition, supporters of the 18th Amendment proclaimed that no Constitutional amendment had ever been repealed.

And they were right, until the repeal of the 18th Amendment.

The government can't prevent people from smoking marijuana any more than they can prevent people from drinking alcohol. The tide is turning and Uncle Sam will eventually recognize all the tax dollars they're missing out on, as the states begin to rake it in.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
hopefully the feds will shut down this nonsense. And soon.

Let me help the Prof: "Today we will review civics and go over the Federal Controlled Substance Act, which classifies Cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, nationwide."

Hey radioman, I'm gonna go clean my new P226, but first, I'm gonna smoke a little bit of the devils lettuce. Tell me I'm naughty.

Anyone looked into buying franchise rights for Taco Bell in that area? Asking for a friend.

Wow, it sounds like a legit degree that could actually lead to employment. A person could do worse than get into a rapidly growing section of the economy.

quote:

Originally posted by ScorpionBoy:
There are people out here in CO making millions of dollars. It will be lucrative field.

Not just Colorado! All over the place. Years ago, when I was chasing narcotics, and I first came across "Hydro", it blew my mind. (No, not in the smoking, in the theory behind it)

Hydro- hydroponically grown cannabis... some stoner-geek that actually paid attention in their horticulture class grew some crazy potent weed in a bucket, and made a shit-ton more cash than his buddy selling ditch weed.

On the illegal side of the house, those stronger strands are selling way, WAY more than some crappy stuff. The customer knows who and where to get it. The science behind it now is huge! My friends that indulge explain to me all the different strands, the difference between Indica and Sativa... WOW!!!!

The Gov'mt is just looking at how to regulate and tax it in such a manner that the cost is comparable to Homie on the corner.

The problem is they are still unbankable. no federally regulated bank will touch these cash deposits and dispensaries and grow companies. Until it gets made federally legal there is still going to be this taint of illegality.