SUNY Canton will be offering a new course to help students understand issues related to the emerging cannabis market.

CannaBusiness Management (BSAD 399) will be offered in the fall 2019 semester as an online special topics course. SUNY Canton regularly offers courses on current and future business trends to complement its entrepreneurial-focused Management program.

“The regulatory changes in New York State and surrounding areas present an opportunity for SUNY Canton to be among the first colleges to develop coursework specifically related to the business of cannabis,” said Philip T. Neisser dean of the School of Business and Liberal Arts. “We will be among a very few accredited colleges to provide learning opportunities on this subject matter.”

The course was developed in response to changing New York State regulations as well as the national trend towards the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana.

“The recent legalization of cannabis and related products in several states has created employment opportunities for individuals who possess the skills to manage business practices within this highly specialized and controversial industry,” said Associate Professor Janice C. Robinson, who will be teaching the new course. “Medical and recreational marijuana use is becoming more prevalent as it becomes legalized at the state level, in Canada and in other nations worldwide.”

Robinson said the course syllabus includes themes on the current business environment, licensing and permits as well as accounting and investment. The course will also cover the controversy surrounding evolving marijuana markets.

SUNY Canton’s course will differ from courses offered at other colleges, as it will not cover topics related to growing marijuana or any horticulture-specific research.

Special topics courses are designed to address a timely subject before being offered on an ongoing basis. The college’s special topics courses vary from semester to semester and are offered through SUNY Canton Online, in addition to traditional, hybrid or flexible learning options.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s premier college for career-driven bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY’s leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 16 online degree programs. The college placed first in 14 categories in a SUNY-Wide Student Opinion Survey, most notably in career services, tutoring, library resources, and classroom facilities. The college’s 15 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference.

Tags: Janice Robinson, Philip Neisser