By Kathleen Berger, Executive Producer for Science and Technology

 With many months of booming medical marijuana sales in Missouri and thousands of workers flocking to the industry, Saint Louis University identified a need for educating the workforce in this rapidly growing industry. Not only could full legalization be in Missouri’s future, but medical and recreational marijuana continues to be legalized in additional states. So, Saint Louis University is offering a cannabis science and operations undergraduate certificate online to help produce quality employees to meet the demand of this booming new industry. And SLU has expanded the program by offering a medical cannabis science and therapeutic management graduate certificate online.

“Just learning in an open setting is helping to reduce the stigma,” said Jamila Owens-Todd, adjunct instructor in the cannabis science and operations undergraduate program.

Legalized cannabis is expected to be an estimated $150 billion industry within the next three years. Stacy Godlewski is the director of Cannabis Science and Operations for the School of Professional Studies at Saint Louis University. Godlewski believes the program is needed.

“I want people who are passionate about medical cannabis and helping people get better, helping them move away from opioids. (I want) people who want to help their mom, their dad, their uncle, themselves. People who want to legitimize this industry is who I want in my program,” said Godlewski. “The undergraduate certificate is for people wanting to learn about the business side of things and the science- thescience and the operations. So, the fundamentals of cannabis extraction, cultivation, pharmacological properties of medical cannabis and then compliance and dispensing.”

Jeff Rowse is among the program’s first students to receive a certificate in cannabis science and operations. Since then, Rowse said he’s now thriving in the business. He’s building a name for himself at Feel State cannabis dispensary in Florissant. The certificate has opened doors for Rowse, allowing him to take a leadership role.

“It’s because of the knowledge that I’m able to present to patients on the sales floor,” said Rowse. “I just seem to be the go-to guy in the dispensary. Whenever there’s a cannabis question about anything, they come to me.”

SLU’s medical cannabis science and therapeutic management program prepares healthcare professionals to accurately inform their patients about the benefits of medical cannabis. It also aims to educate those who regularly interact with people who use medical cannabis to understand its effects and therapeutic benefits. An undergraduate degree in any discipline is required for enrollment in this graduate program.

“We have a focus and a need for doctors, nurses, educators, law enforcement, social workers in the medical cannabis science and therapeutic management program,” explained Godlewski. “Folks who work with people who self-medicate with medical cannabis, on a daily basis, for whatever their ailment may be. So that they can teach those folks about the therapeutic benefits. There’s a need for the doctors and nurses to understand the synergies between medical cannabis, CBD and any medications they’re on.”

“It’s important because it is now medical in the state. Any state where you have medical cannabis, I think it’s important for doctors to at least learn and understand the inner workings and the possibility of how this can be a great assistant to patients,” said Owens-Todd. “And learning does not necessarily mean that doctors become an advocate. I’m also understanding of a doctor saying ‘I don’t support it’. But if they learn more about it, then they can make an informed choice as opposed to just negating it because the information is lacking.”

By having an educational program SLU can offer to many different people, Godlewski said Saint Louis University is fulfilling its Jesuit mission.

“Are we giving good research? Are we having the industry experts teach that rigorous curriculum? Another part of the Jesuit mission is making education widely available to everybody, not just folks who can afford it,” said Godlewski.