Tulsa Community College launches cannabis certificate programs amid industry uncertainty (KTUL)
TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — Tulsa Community College has launched new cannabis certificate programs aimed at helping students who want to work in Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry, offering training that can be completed in as little as eight to 16 weeks.
The online, virtual programs are designed to prepare students for specific roles in the cannabis workforce, with coursework shaped by employer input, according to Dr. Pete Selden, TCC’s vice president for workforce development.
“Employer-informed programs that are online, virtual for students that desire to get into the cannabis industry to be properly informed and trained on particular jobs in the industry,” Selden said.
Selden said the certificates are intended to help students land entry-level jobs and build from there. “Learn about the policies around cannabis, plant science, more about the industry and compliance, giving them the ability to get into an entry-level job we’ve seen positions that are starting at $20 an hour and then going up from there,” he said.
The launch comes as questions persist about how stable the cannabis industry is and what job opportunities in Oklahoma actually look like.
Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower, said the national cannabis workforce remains large, though growth has not been uniform across the country. “Currently there’s over 425,000 people working in the cannabis industry nationwide There’s been real significant growth in many states but there’s been some contraction in certain states” Simon said.
In Oklahoma, state data and industry reporting point to a more complicated landscape. A state-commissioned study released by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority found the market is oversupplied, with more product than patient demand. Reporting from Marijuana Business Daily, a cannabis trade publication, shows the number of licensed operators in Oklahoma has dropped significantly in recent years.
Even with those trends, the industry continues to bring in substantial revenue. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority reports medical marijuana sales in Oklahoma total hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
TCC and program leaders say specialized training can help students stand out as the industry shifts.
Max Simon said “When people are taking these programs the job placements are very high like any education it’s never guaranteed”.
