Now that marijuana is legal in California, we might as well learn how to properly produce and distribute it. The City College of San Francisco is working with the Oakland-based marijuana trade school Oaksterdam University and the United Food and Commercial Workers union to develop new cannabis-focused course work.
School officials are still trying to determine if this new course work would be offered to school’s existing Pharmacology Technology department exclusively, or if marijuana-based classes would be made available to all students.
"Obviously, with the potential growth of this industry being substantial, particularly in California, we want to offer access to this growing industry," said Jeff Hamilton, a City College spokesperson told the San Francisco Examiner. "The school is planning to offer the program beginning in the spring 2018 semester."
CCSF just recently received its accreditation affirmed for the next seven years after having it revoked three years ago. (This news was a very big deal.) The addition of a marijuana-centered class schedule may boost the struggling school's popularity, as well as keep the institution in-line with San Francisco's efforts to stay on the cutting edge of the new legislation legalizing weed. The City is already working on amending regulations and permitting in light of the new law.
According to some estimates, the sale of marijuana in California could exceed $7 billion by 2020. That kind of big business will rely on a well-trained workforce in the very near future.
"City College is part of the fabric of San Francisco. It provides hope, community and opportunity to anyone who needs it," remarked City Attorney Dennis Herrera.
It will also soon provide a fully-accredited education in the cannabis arts.
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