Photo Caption: Kalamazoo Valley Community College has added another online course to its cannabis workforce training offerings (Photo credit: Shutterstock).

Expanding on its popular workforce cannabis training program, Kalamazoo Valley Community College recently announced that it will offer an online medical cannabis education course.

Through a unique partnership with Medical Cannabis Mentor, a leader in online medical cannabis education, Kalamazoo Valley will offer Cannabis Therapeutics 2022, an in-depth, foundational self-paced course for healthcare providers, dispensary personnel and patients. Kalamazoo Valley is Medical Cannabis Mentor’s first community college partner.

“Through conversations with community members and patients, we learned there was a lack of formal and easily accessible education for understanding the various therapeutic components of cannabis,” said Craig Jbara, vice president for strategic and business development at Kalamazoo Valley. “We believe it is important to promote accurate information and, if appropriate, provide an opportunity for improved quality of life in our community.”

The college began offering the self-paced, online training Oct. 24. The certificate program costs $299 and should take between eight to 10 hours to complete.

“There is so much confusion about what medical cannabis is and how to use it,” said Medical Cannabis Mentor and Founder and CEO Joe Dolce. “That’s why our mission is ‘Education Before Medication.’ The goal is to separate myth from fact and to bring professionals and patients up to speed quickly. Our materials are based on the latest research and data from the world’s leading scientists and clinicians.”

After the successful completion of the virtual training units, participants will earn a certificate of completion from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Medical Cannabis Mentors.

Medical Cannabis Mentor online programs are evidence-based and have been vetted and approved by healthcare professions and health agencies, such as New York’s Department of Health.

Fastest growing industry
Cannabis Therapeutics 2022 is the fourth cannabis education course the college offers. Earlier this year, the college announced the addition of three cannabis certificates designed to provide job skills training for those interested in a cannabis-related career.

According to Business Wire, cannabis is the fastest growing industry in America. To address the critical need for workers in the industry, Kalamazoo Valley partnered with Green Flower, a leader in cannabis education, to offer these in-demand programs.

“The cannabis industry is creating thousands of career opportunities in Michigan and yet, nationally, a significant shortage of qualified professionals exists,” said Jbara. “These programs are designed to give participants the foundational knowledge needed to work in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry. Similar training programs across the country have proven to be very successful for employers.”

California-based Green Flower is a leader in cannabis education and currently works with 15 universities, colleges and community colleges in 14 states.

“Green Flower is honored to be partnering with Kalamazoo Valley Community College to offer our three cannabis industry training courses,” said Daniel Kalef, vice president of higher education for Green Flower. “We saw the commitment by the college to help working adults find ways to become highly qualified to work in cannabis retail, manufacturing and agriculture environments.”

The virtual training program provides participants with the advanced job skills and knowledge needed to excel in the industry.

“Like other highly regulated industries, the need to have expertise in material handling, quality control, patient care, security, transportation, horticulture and more is vital to the success of all aspects of the industry and these are all skills people will learn in these courses,” Kalef said.

Three different certifications are available: Advanced Provisioning Center Associate, Cultivation Technician and Manufacturing Agent.

Each eight-week certificate program costs $900. For employers sending more than five participants or for individuals wishing to self-pay and take more than one program, a $100 discount is offered. All three programs are Kalamazoo Promise eligible. After the successful completion of the virtual training units and a final exam, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, as well as a national certification from Green Flower.

To date, nearly 100 people have completed one of Valley’s other three cannabis workforce training certifications.

For more information, visit www.kvcc.edu/cannabis.

ABOUT KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Established in 1966, Kalamazoo Valley Community College offers certificate programs in more than 50 areas of study and associate degrees in 60 others. These include business, healthcare, human and public service, and technical occupations, culinary arts, and brewing training. The college has four Kalamazoo, Michigan locations, including the Texas Township Campus, the Groves Campus, the Arcadia Commons Campus, and the Bronson Healthy Living Campus. Classes are available during the day, evening, online, and weekends.