​California and Colorado, move over. Higher learning is coming to the American Northeast.

The New England School of Alternative Horticultural Studies, a Rhode Island-based medical marijuana training center, announced on Thursday the September launch of its basic medical marijuana training class in Warwick, R.I., which it said is the first professional medical marijuana training class in the northeastern United States.

Rhode Island state law allows registered patients or their caregivers to legally set up an indoor marijuana grow for medical purposes.

“Traditionally, someone who lives in the New England area and wants to take this type of MMJ training would have to travel to California or Colorado at their own expense,” said school founder Luis Hernandez. “This is in addition to the tuition costs which make the total cost for these classes quite steep for folks in the northeast United States.”

“Now, everyone here in the Northeast has access to professional marijuana training right in their own back yard,” Hernandez said.

The school will be distinguished by its strong sense of social responsibility, according to Hernandez.

No less than 20 percent of all class proceeds will be donated directly to causes such as AIDS and cancer research, cannabis law reform, and other worthwhile patient advocacy programs, according to school officials.

“Environmental and social responsibility are core values which we take very seriously around here,” Hernandez said.

The school also extends special discounts to low-income patients who can’t afford the full class tuition.

Incorporated into the curriculum will be state law, fire and electrical safety, ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct, in addition to the horticultural aspect of medical marijuana cultivation.