Cleveland Cannabis College

A Northeast Ohio native has opened Cleveland Cannabis College to offer educational courses about medical marijuana to people who want to work for cultivation facilities, product manufacturers and dispensaries.

(Courtesy of Cleveland Cannabis College)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Marijuana conferences and workshops have been cropping up across the state since before Ohio legalized the drug for medical use last year.

But a Northeast Ohio native has opened the state's first brick-and-mortar center to offer more in-depth training about the plant and the industry.

The Cleveland Cannabis College will offer courses in horticulture, law, history and other areas this fall, after the state has finalized details about Ohio's medical marijuana program.

Founder Richard Pine said the school is geared toward people who want to work as medical marijuana growers or in dispensaries, but courses are offered to anyone who wants to learn more about the plant and its applications.

"Ohio's really setting the bar for the laws in medical marijuana -- they're treating it like a medicine unlike some states out west," Pine said. "What we aim to do is share the scientific facts about cannabis with as many people as possible."

Pine, 28, grew up in Broadview Heights and attended Kent State University. After graduation, he moved to Georgia but returned to Ohio after state lawmakers legalized medical marijuana last year.

Ohio law allows people to use and buy marijuana if recommended to them by a doctor for one of 20 qualifying medical conditions. Smoking weed or growing it at home are not allowed under the law.

Details of the program, including requirements for businesses and their employees, are still being drafted by state regulators, but must be finalized by September.

Pine became interested in medical marijuana after having back surgery following a car accident. He found it relieved his pain better than opioids he was prescribed. He wants to eventually offer a course for doctors that meets the state requirements for continuing education.

Tuition costs $1,000 per six-week class or $5,200 for the full program totaling 135 hours of instruction. Pine said students will be connected with internships and job opportunities, and the school guarantees job placement within six months for full-time students.

Cleveland Cannabis College has begun offering a weekend introductory course that covers several topics for $250.

Marijuana remains illegal federally, so financial aid won't apply.

Classes are taught in space leased in a standard office building. There are no marijuana plants or paraphernalia; that isn't allowed under state law.

Pine said he received some complaints that a picture of a cannabis leaf was visible through the first floor window.

Pine invited those offended to take an introductory class for free.

"We want to educate them that this is not a bunch of dirty hippies running around smoking bongs and listening to Bob Marley," Pine said.

Cleveland Cannabis College will hold an open house and free networking event from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at 5755 Granger Rd., Independence.