1. Cannabis cultivation workshops to start in March 2019
2. University of Guelph to expand cannabis expertise
3. Workshops to provide up-to-date knowledge in changing industry
University of Guelph, in partnership with consultancy Cannabis Compliance Inc. (CCI), will expand its horticultural education in 2019 to meet new demand by professionals seeking specialized marijuana cultivation knowledge, as more people join Canada’s newest industry and navigate its evolving regulations.
Starting in March, the University of Guelph and CCI will offer cannabis workshops to graduates and professionals, they said.
“Curriculum that is up-to-date and specific to the real needs of the industry is in short supply. This industry changes so quickly with new emerging regulations or innovations that it is imperative that the curriculum evolves to meet those changes,” said Shannon Kloet, CCI’s director of Training Services.
“We just had to pivot to incorporate the new Cannabis Act and will have to change again to meet the upcoming introduction of edibles.”
The University of Guelph has a keen interest in the topic and is trying to raise $20-million to create the Guelph Centre for Cannabis Research that will focus on aspects including genetics, production, and health benefits for both humans and animals.
“We have a number of faculty members who do research with licensed producers, for at least the last four or five years, so we have expertise in terms of production issues,” said Professor Rene Van Acker, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College of the University of Guelph.
“In many ways, we see it as an extension of horticulture. I think the short course options make sense to us in terms of how we can, in the immediate term, best serve the industry.”
The University of Guelph is one of Canada’s first institutions to dedicate research to cannabis production including breeding, producing, processing and storage of cannabis.
“We will share our knowledge and support as they work through the licensing process and provide co-branded workshops to students while their facility is being built, keeping them abreast of industry standards,” Ms. Kloet said.
“CCI’s core business is understanding and interpreting the regulations so a partnership like this one ensures that we are on top of those changes and ensures that they are integrated in a timely manner.”