Last fall, Stockton University, in New Jersey, launched an interdisciplinary minor in cannabis studies. The public institution opted to keep its curriculum open to a range of applications for the plant.
"We decided to treat it as any other industry, and I think that opened up more venues for us," said Ekaterina Sedia, the program's coordinator and an associate professor of biology at Stockton.
She rattled off a few potential applications: hospitality majors going on to run a smoking lounge; business majors aspiring to operate a dispensary; environmental studies majors working to improve the energy efficiency of growing operations.
So far, 40 students have officially declared the minor, and the two courses on offer — Introduction to Medical Marijuana and Cannabis Law — have been full the two semesters they have been available. Those students come from a wide range of majors, she noted, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, economics, hospitality and tourism, and the health sciences.