Bellarmine University partners with Green Flower to launch cannabis education programs

Bellarmine University has announced a new partnership with Green Flower to bring cannabis education certificate courses to the university. The courses are not credit courses, but are open to help educate anyone who is looking to get into the business of growing and selling cannabis. The partnership marks the first opportunity of its kind for Kentucky universities.

According to an article on Bellarmine University’s website, Dr. Mark Wiegand, who serves as the university’s vice president for academic affairs and provost, was quoted as saying of the partnership, "With the legal and regulatory framework for cannabis evolving in Kentucky, the time was right for Bellarmine to offer the Commonwealth a comprehensive set of courses on the topic. Helping Kentuckians access the most up-to-date knowledge and expertise in different aspects of this industry will ensure that our state is well-prepared to realize the full economic, workforce and consumer benefits associated with cannabis while assuring citizens that the products cultivated or sold in Kentucky comply with applicable standards and best practices.”

A law was just put into place in Kentucky that will allow for the prescribed medical marijuana usage, as well as the growing and selling of the same. It will be legal to do so beginning in January 2025, meaning those who take advantage of the offered six-month cannabis education classes will be prepared for the change to go into effect.

The certificate programs available are Agriculture and Cultivation, Cannabis Business, Compliance and Risk Management, and Healthcare and Medicine. Each program is an online, self-paced course. The cost for each certificate is just shy of $3,000.

Daniel Kalef, Chief Growth Officer at Green Flower, also was quoted with his comments about the partnership, saying, “Green Flower is honored to announce the launch of our partnership with Bellarmine University to offer education programs related to the newly approved legal cannabis industry. After much discussion and efforts on their part, we really got to know the team at the Center for Community and Professional Education, and their desire to find a solution to help people in Kentucky and beyond tap into career opportunities in the cannabis industry as it begins in the Commonwealth.”

Anyone who completes the online programs will receive credentials, access to networking events, and job postings within the industry.

For more information about Green Flower, visit its website.

More information about Bellarmine University can be found at its website.