The Cleveland School of Cannabis has opened an educational facility in Columbus for workers in the medical marijuana industry, the second of its kind in Ohio.
“If they want to add credentials and credibility to their prior knowledge they have in the cannabis realm, they could come attend classes here at Cleveland School of Cannabis,” says admissions officer Nate Bauman.
The classes teach students about growing marijuana, running a dispensary and learning how to use medical marijuana to help patients.
“Our first most popular program is horticulture program,” Bauman says. “And that teaches students if they’re looking to get into the cultivation facilities side of things. If a student has a green thumb, that’s right up their alley.”
Classes for each major take place at 3700 Corporate Drive on Columbus’ Northeast Side. They cost $6,500 per subject or $12,500 for an executive program that offers all three majors. Bauman says his company also offers grants and interest-free payment plans to help students pay for classes.
He would not reveal the number of students enrolled, but says classes are filling up quickly.
Each curriculum includes 156 class hours. Students who complete the courses will receive a state certificate, although it's not required to work in the medical pot industry.
Instructors come from various backgrounds including law, medical, business and horticulture. Bauman says opportunities also exist to get more hands-on skills.
“We do offer internships through Ohio Buckeye Relief and Ohio Patient’s Choice, we have partnerships with them, and students can apply for an opportunity to help with post-harvest," he says.
Graduates of the program can qualify for jobs as a grower, gardener, consultant, marketing and sales manager, nursing assistant and lab technician, among others. And the school’s private website, which currently has 700 postings in the medical marijuana industry, can help alumni find a job in or out of Ohio. Bauman says entry-level jobs pay about $15 an hour.
Ohio officials have been slow to open medical dispensaries around the state, since sales began in January. Currently just 19 are open, including one on Grandview Avenue.
Bauman says he can understand some delays.
“I have mixed feelings, but I rather them be slow and steady, then backtrack," he says.
