Tulsa Community College Launches Cannabis Industry Programs
- Tulsa Community College (TCC) has introduced new cannabis certificate programs in partnership with Green Flower to educate students on cannabis policies, plant science, industry knowledge, and compliance.
- The programs, designed to be online and virtual, aim to prepare students for entry-level cannabis jobs starting at $20 an hour, according to Dr. Pete Selden, TCC's VP for workforce development.
- Green Flower CEO Max Simon highlighted that there are over 425,000 cannabis industry workers nationwide, with significant growth in many states despite some contractions in others.
- In Oklahoma, cannabis industry licenses have dropped notably from July 2023 to July 2024 due to legislative efforts to tighten regulations on what was once a highly permissive program.
Tulsa Community College (TCC) has launched new cannabis certificate programs in partnership with cannabis education company Green Flower, KTUL reports. Dr. Pete Selden, TCC vice president for workforce development, told KTUL that the programs will help students “Learn about the policies around cannabis, plant science, more about the industry and compliance” and will give students “the ability to get into an entry-level job…starting at $20 an hour and then going up from there.”
“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 to KTUL
Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower, told KTUL that there are currently more than 425,000 cannabis industry workers nationwide.
“There’s been real significant growth in many states.” Simon said, “but there’s been some contraction in certain states.”
According to Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority data, as of June 2024, the number of total commercial licenses dropped significantly from July 2023 to July 2024 from 11,330 to 6,937. In all, as of July 2024, there are 3,645 licensed cultivators, 2,081 licensed dispensaries, and 1,092 licensed processors.
The industry’s contraction in the state comes as lawmakers have worked in recent years to rein in the program, which was once considered one of the most permissive in the country.