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Syracuse University has announced a partnership with Green Flower, a leading cannabis education company, to offer new online programs aimed at educating individuals about the cannabis industry. The collaboration will provide six courses covering various aspects of the industry, including plant cultivation, product development, sales, law compliance, and medical use. These courses will be available online starting Monday, March 10, and are open to anyone aged 21 or older, regardless of whether they are current Syracuse University students.
The initiative comes as the cannabis industry continues to expand, with nearly 600 adult-use cannabis dispensaries operating in New York, about 30 of which are located in the central New York region. Green Flower CEO Max Simon emphasized the importance of these programs, stating that they offer a "choose your own adventure" approach, allowing students to explore different sectors of the industry.
The courses, which take approximately 16 weeks to complete, aim to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the growing cannabis market. According to Simon, the industry has been stigmatized for too long, and these programs help "plant the seeds for future careers."
As reported by WSYR-TV, the partnership aligns with recent efforts to reschedule marijuana at the federal level. In December 2025, President Donald Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite the process of rescheduling marijuana from Level I to Level III, although this process is still ongoing and may face legal challenges.
The collaboration between Syracuse University and Green Flower is part of a broader trend of educational institutions offering cannabis-related programs. The College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University has committed to providing flexible, workforce-aligned microcredentials, including the Cannabis Career Certificate programs.
Enrollment for these courses is open now, with the first cohort beginning on March 10. Interested individuals can learn more about the programs and register through the Syracuse University cannabis programs website.