Durham College is now the first college in Ontario to create cannabis-centered professional development courses and integrate cannabis content into its existing programs. This move is pursuant to a memorandum of understanding that the post-secondary school signed with GrowWise Health Limited, a medical cannabis education service.

According to Debbie Johnston, dean of the Durham College School of Continuing Education, the main reason why the school is doing this is to help address the increasing demand for skilled professionals who will support the rapidly growing medical cannabis industry in Canada.

Johnston noted that there is great employment potential in the cannabis industry, and this potential is expected to grow steadily in the next few years. She said that they want to get students ready to move into this industry and get the good jobs.

Medical cannabis in the country is already a C$130-million industry, with more than 50,000 registered patients currently.

Johnston also observed that focus has mainly been on the production aspect of the industry, and pointed out that the industry is composed of complex organizations that also need professionals possessing skills and keen business acumen. This, she added, is where the job opportunities lie.

What is the course really about?

Durham College launched its first cannabis course in November last year. It was a two-day intensive course on Medical Cannabis Fundamentals for Business Professionals, and they conducted it in collaboration with GrowWise Health.

This course tackles legal and regulatory considerations, clinical concepts, ethical issues, and quality control and cultivation fundamentals.

The next course that Durham College will offer is going to focus on health-care providers, including therapists, social services workers, and nurses who want to expand their knowledge on medical cannabis as well as the new regulatory framework.

Johnston said that offering these cannabis courses in a continuing education setting would give working people the opportunity to conveniently add cannabis knowledge to their particular skill set.

People who complete a cannabis continuing education course are going to receive a badge as well as an electronic credential they can add to their online resume, LinkdIn page, or social media page.

MOU with GrowWise

Under the MOU, GrowWise Health will be acting as the subject matter expert.

The MOU will also allow the school to offer the students work placements with certain partners in the cannabis industry as well as identify applied research opportunities.

Adam Saperia, GrowWise president, said that their company provides education on medical cannabis to both patients and physicians, sort of like “filling a pharmacist’s role.” According to him, GrowWise educators worked with thousands of patients, explaining different cannabis strains, dosing, different methods of cannabis consumption, safety, and side effects.

He also added that there are a lot of questions, and people who use weed for recreational purposes do not get the kind of knowledge that the company provides.

About Durham College

Durham has campuses in Whitby and Oshawa, in Ontario, as well as a learning site in Pickering. It offers more than 12,000 full-time post-secondary students and apprenticeship students access to eight apprenticeship and more than 140 full-time programs in different disciplines. These programs will enable students to develop the skills they need to meet the demands of the present job market.

About GrowWise Health

Based in Toronto, GrowWise Health Limited provides both patients and healthcare providers complimentary personalized education to enable them to make informed choices and decisions about medical cannabis treatments.