Northwest Missouri State University in partnership with Green Flower presents
The Business of Cannabis Certificate
Your future in the industry starts here.
For anyone considering a career in cannabis, specialist knowledge is the key to unlocking the industry’s most exciting opportunities. The cannabis landscape is complex, ever changing and unique. This certificate will provide you with a clear understanding of the cannabis industry, how it got there and where it’s going.
Studying the Business of Cannabis, you’ll develop critical business skills like risk analysis, scaling operations and regulatory compliance. View cannabis—and your future in the industry—with a well-informed and entrepreneurial mindset.
Online study makes this course ideal for working professionals or anyone looking to access the most experienced educators and professionally designed cannabis coursework available anywhere. Work on each week’s instructor-led assignments at a time that suits you, as you build your expertise and earn a credible credential from a recognized university.
3 Courses
100% Online
Full Payment Option
*following initial $750 payment
Save my seat Option
$300 deposit
The Business of Cannabis Courses
Cannabis 101: History and Practice Across Industries
An in-depth introduction to cannabis, across history, culture and industry. Topics range from botany to business practices, including Cannabis Law and Policy, FDA regulation, and the many challenges that successful cannabis businesses face. Main topics covered in the course include:
- History of Cannabis
- Phytocannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
- Agriculture and Cultivation
- Enterprise
- Law and Policy
- Cannabis Medicine and Healthcare
- Careers in the Cannabis Industry
The Business of Cannabis I: Seed to Sale
Gain a broad understanding of how businesses innovate and adapt to industry trends. Includes fundamentals of cultivation, processing and extraction, manufacturing, lab setup and protocols, distribution, retail and delivery, and licensing, with an emphasis on business ethics. Main topics covered in the course include:,
- The Business of Cannabis Cultivation
- Processing and Manufacturing
- Lab Testing and Analytics
- Cannabis Distribution
- The Cannabis Retail Guide
- Cannabis Real Estate
- Obtaining Licensing in the Cannabis Industry
The Business of Cannabis II: Scaling Operations
Dive more deeply into sector-specific challenges in areas such as real estate, regulatory compliance, marketing, sales, accounting and finance, human resources, and innovation and investment. Students complete a business portfolio that includes project management materials, risk analysis, accounting and operations reports, and a case study analysis. Main topics covered in the course include:
- Industrial Hemp
- Regulatory Compliance
- Marketing in the Cannabis Industry
- Sales in the Cannabis Industry
- Accounting and Finance
- Human Resources
- Investment in the Cannabis Industry
Expert Cannabis Educators
Expert Cannabis Educators
The Business of Cannabis features expert instruction and interaction from top executives and entrepreneurs, board-certified doctors and lawyers, advanced professionals in engineering and agriculture, and policy makers.
The Highest Standards for Online Learning
Al Foreman
Partner & CIO of Tuatara Capital
An expert in private equity and corporate finance leveraging 20 years of leadership experience from Tuatara Capital, Highbridge, J.P Morgan, and CitiBank.
Avis Bulbulyan
CEO of SIVA Enterprises
Former President of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force and leading authority in the industry with deep insight into the nuances, regulations, and trends of the cannabis business.
Simone Cimiluca-Radzins, CPA
CEO of Kalogia
A global cannabis business expert leveraging her experience in financial and business management from PwC, Nike, and Fox Entertainment.
Cannabis Creates New Careers and Skill Demands
In 2022, Missouri added 6,958 cannabis jobs, making it the state with the biggest job gain in the United States.
Source: Vangst Jobs Report 2023
Based on the state’s population, a mature Missouri market should see annual revenue in the $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion range.
Source: Vangst Jobs Report 2023
The state’s adult-use stores opened in February 2023. The additional customer base could double annual sales revenue and create up to 5,000 jobs over the coming year.
Source: Vangst Jobs Report 2023
In 2022, there were over 417,000 full-time employees in the cannabis industry in the United States.
Source: Vangst Jobs Report 2023

Your Schedule

Employer Network Access

Official University Certificate
Keep in Touch
Not ready to enroll? Sign up to stay in the loop about Northwest Missouri State’s cannabis certificates and upcoming enrollment dates.
I consent to receiving emails from Northwest Missouri State University and their partner Green Flower about special offers and other products or services. I can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link found at the bottom of each email.