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LSSU Cannabis Chemistry program
“The students enrolling in the LSSU cannabis programs come from all walks of life. We have veterans, traditional students, returning students, transfers, tribal members, grandparents, and parents,” says cannabis business attorney and professor, Koral Fritz. “The diverse perspectives these students contribute make LSSU a better place for learning and fostering tough conversations about a stigmatized industry.”
Students participating in LSSU's cannabis programs also have ample opportunities to continue learning outside of the classroom. The student-run Cannabis Studies Club hosts educational and social events, conducts workshops, and engages with industry leaders. Course programming also includes field visits, tours, and guest lectures. Additionally, the cannabis programs have their very own living-learning community that is new for the 2021-2022 academic year.
By offering in-demand industry-focused cannabis degrees, Lake State continues to create a pathway for a socially and economically diverse student body to enter a dynamic workforce in a leading industry.
Located near Lake Superior in the international city of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Lake Superior State University is ideal for students that thrive in small classes. LSSU's supportive, personalized, and welcoming atmosphere particularly benefits first-generation college students. A bonus for LSSU students is the university's proximity to numerous outdoor recreation areas, including hiking trails, boat launches, and the Soo Locks.
Visit the LSSU Admissions webpage to apply today and to learn more about the Cannabis Business degree, Cannabis Chemistry degree, and the Cannabis Production Certificate.
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LSSU also offers a 12-credit certificate in cannabis production that combines a science-focused curriculum with fundamental business classes. Professionals seeking to transition their skill sets into the cannabis industry can use the certificate as an entry point. Remote learning students can complete the certificate utilizing online learning with a single trip to the LSSU campus to conduct required lab work.
Dr. Rod Hanley
President of Lake Superior State University
LSSU’s Cannabis Chemistry degree, the first program of its kind in the US, is also the first cannabis degree approved by the American Chemical Society. Students in this program undertake a broad range of chemistry coursework and research while training with faculty and state-of-the-art instrumentation.
Dr. Steven Johnson, Dean for the College of Science and the Environment, noted that "One of our first objectives was to establish an advisory board for the Cannabis Chemistry program, including representatives from the compliance, production, and processing realms. It has helped steer our coursework and curriculum to ensure that graduates are equipped with the appropriate skill sets to emerge as leaders in the area."
Cannabis Chemistry students have access to cannabis-focused coursework beginning their first year, in addition to foundational courses in chemistry and biology. The curriculum becomes more focused on cannabis and instrumentation as the students progress. The laboratory work, which is paramount in a student’s training, takes place in the unique LSSU Cannabis Center of Excellence (CoE).
In 2019, LSSU partnered with Agilent Technologies, Inc. to form the LSSU CoE, which houses $3M in cutting-edge analytical instrumentation. Additionally, LSSU has installed a state-of-the-art processing laboratory and is establishing an experimental hemp growth facility within the Cannabis CoE.
“Access to the same instrumentation graduates will encounter in the workforce is a must. Our students have access to instruments that otherwise might not be accessible at a larger university or even available at other primarily undergraduate institutions,” said Professor Ben Southwell.
In addition to launching the first cannabis chemistry program in the nation, Lake State is also the first university to offer two cannabis chemistry scholarships. Recently, LSSU announced that Steadfast Labs, a cannabis testing facility in Hazel Park, Michigan, is funding an annual $1,200 scholarship for students pursuing a cannabis chemistry degree. Another Michigan company, Wheelhouse Cannabis Co., has also provided an endowed annual scholarship fund of $25,000 held in perpetuity that results in an additional $1,200 award each year for a deserving cannabis chemistry major.
LSSU's cannabis programs are supported by industry partnerships and strengthened by the diversity of a tight-knit student and faculty community. Both business and science degrees prepare graduates to contribute original ideas and solutions to a developing market. Students are primed to serve as lab technicians, researchers, managers, compliance officers, lobbyists, and entrepreneurs when they graduate from LSSU's cannabis programs. The knowledge students gain while pursuing a B.S. in Cannabis Business and/or Cannabis Chemistry also positions graduates to assume roles in the ancillary businesses that support cannabis.
In collaboration with industry leaders and experts LSSU’s programs address real world issues and case studies. The courses are rigorous and include experiential learning components that prepare students for today’s market while helping them anticipate change and adapt when required.
Lake Superior State University, a public university in Michigan whose vision focuses on providing innovation-driven, transformative education that drives social mobility, is the first university in the state to embrace cannabis in higher education, offering students the opportunity to earn a B.S. in Cannabis Chemistry and/or Cannabis Business.
As decriminalization and legalization efforts continue to spread, LSSU is preparing students with the practical skills to advance one of the country's newest industries. With cannabis jobs set to out-pace careers in both healthcare and technology, the economy requires workers with a specialized education that can effectively navigate a highly regulated market. Michigan currently has a billion-dollar cannabis market that at the end of 2020 supported over 18,000 jobs, with 9,000 of those jobs created in 2020 alone. Projections estimate that the local market could employ 28,000 people statewide by year's end. Nationally, as of January 2021, legal cannabis supported 321,000 full-time jobs.
The Cannabis Chemistry Degree
Lake Superior State University Leads the
Way for Careers in
Cannabis Chemistry
and Business
Lake Superior State University
LSSU Cannabis Business program
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4,500
9,000
13,500
18,000
22,500
27,000
28,000
Projected number of local cannabis jobs by year's end
$0
$14,400
$28,800
$43,200
$57,600
$72,000
Salary for an entry-level cannabis chemist
We stand at the forefront of student learning and development in cannabis education. Our cannabis chemistry and cannabis business programs have become a catalyst for many initiatives at LSSU. We are preparing the next generation of leaders to find ground-breaking solutions for issues related to compliance, diversity, and sustainability
In the cannabis industry.
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Cannabis Chemistry Program
Cannabis Business Program
Lake Superior State
University is making waves
with its cutting-edge
cannabis programs.
The business of cannabis is rife with complex, novel issues and hurdles that require professionals to think critically, maximize resources, and pivot on short notice. All cannabis businesses require management and staff that are adept at problem-solving and are well-versed in the changing legal landscape. Students majoring in cannabis business at LSSU develop the skills to tackle unanswered problems and pursue aggressive goals.
Incoming cannabis business students begin their substantive coursework by diving into the history of cannabis worldwide. An exploration of the origins and prior uses of cannabis provides students with the foundational knowledge to explain and analyze the evolution of cannabis use and regulation. Students then learn the national and international laws that control how cannabis businesses can and cannot operate.
In this work, students must draft ballot initiatives, social equity plans, and ordinances for municipalities to zone cannabis businesses. Class discussions evaluate student’s comprehension of legal precedent and require active learning.
As students progress, the advanced courses focus on retail operations, supply chain management, finances, and developing business plans. Students work closely with program advisors and business faculty to prepare a comprehensive business canvas, pitch deck, and marketing plan for creating a cannabis start-up. This work requires students to compare and contrast various techniques for growing, harvesting, and distributing cannabis while determining how to monetize and scale a business. The coursework highlights barriers to market entry, such as licensing fees, social injustice, and capital requirements.
Students are encouraged to complete an internship in the cannabis field to bolster their education and to jump-start career development. LSSU has established relationships with community partners that are eager to work with students. Cannabis business students also complete core business courses as part of their degree and are encouraged to take classes in the Cannabis Chemistry program to gain a more holistic understanding of the industry from safety and testing to marketing and management. This interdisciplinary approach to business is a signature of the Lukenda School of Business. Lake State’s small class sizes provide the ideal learning environment for frank discussions, group work, and collective problem solving, which are all critical components of successful, inclusive business.
The Cannabis Business Degree
The Certificate in Cannabis Production
A Career in Cannabis is for Everyone
"LSSU has worked diligently to establish working relationships with several key industry partners, including Cambium Analytica, Lion Labs, and Classic Roots Farm, to name a few. These collaborative efforts allow for student access to internships, discipline experts, and research experiences specific to the field."
DR. Steven Johnson
Dean for the College of Science and the Environment
"LSSU has strategically positioned itself to be at the forefront of this emerging market, preparing the next generation of cannabis scientists and business leaders. Our Cannabis Business Advisory Board has been instrumental in ensuring that our program continues to prepare our graduates for changing industry needs."
Dr. Kimberly Muller
Dean of the College of Innovation and Solutions
“Preparing students for tomorrow is our goal. And with a projected annual growth rate of over 28%, and sales reaching $47 billion in the next decade, LSSU Cannabis Business graduates will have the skills and knowledge to take the lead in this emerging industry.”
Ralf Williams
LSSU Lukenda School of Business Professor
LSSU’s Cannabis Chemistry degree, the first program of its kind in the US, is also the first cannabis degree approved by the American Chemical Society. Students in this program undertake a broad range of chemistry coursework and research while training with faculty and state-of-the-art instrumentation.
Professor Ben Southwell noted that "One of our first objectives was to establish an advisory board for the Cannabis Chemistry program, including representatives from the compliance, production, and processing realms. It has helped steer our coursework and curriculum to ensure that graduates are equipped with the appropriate skill sets to emerge as leaders in the area."
Cannabis Chemistry students have access to cannabis-focused coursework beginning their first year, in addition to foundational courses in chemistry and biology. The curriculum becomes more focused on cannabis and instrumentation as the students progress. The laboratory work, which is paramount in a student’s training, takes place in the unique LSSU Cannabis Center of Excellence (CoE).
The business of cannabis is rife with complex, novel issues and hurdles that require professionals to think critically, maximize resources, and pivot on short notice. All cannabis businesses require management and staff that are adept at problem-solving and are well-versed in the changing legal landscape. Students majoring in cannabis business at LSSU develop the skills to tackle unanswered problems and pursue aggressive goals.
Incoming cannabis business students begin their substantive coursework by diving into the history of cannabis worldwide. An exploration of the origins and prior uses of cannabis provides students with the foundational knowledge to explain and analyze the evolution of cannabis use and regulation. Students then learn the national and international laws that control how cannabis businesses can and cannot operate.
In this work, students must draft ballot initiatives, social equity plans, and ordinances for municipalities to zone cannabis businesses. Class discussions evaluate student’s comprehension of legal precedent and require active learning.
