The cannabis and hemp industries have grown at a remarkable rate over the last decade, requiring the creation of comprehensive curricula to ensure proper workforce development. This discussion focuses on the educational initiatives employed at Cornell University to support industry growth and mitigate business failure in hemp-related fields. Our approach to curriculum design was tailored to meet the unique requirements for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as industry stakeholders. This includes the creation of in-person and robust online hemp programs that are data-driven and up to date with the rapidly growing field of scientific knowledge. In doing so, we aim to ensure that students and the public are equipped with the most recent insights from scientifically-sound resources to support responsible practices within the industry, while also aligning with the institution’s curriculum standards. The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) at Cornell University has been at the forefront of offering hemp-specific courses including Cannabis: Biology, Society and Industry, Hemp Breeding, Hemp Production, Hemp processing, and Chemistry and Pharmacology of Cannabis since 2019, with two of them also available through the online certificate program. Additionally, many professionals in the cannabis industry participated in the Cannabis Science and Hemp Sciences concentration for one year master’s degree program, Master of Professional Studies (MPS) at Cornell University, with approximately 30 students completing the degree in 2023. We will also highlight prior years' student expectations in order to suggest effective educational experiences and the challenges of this growing discipline in the absence of a comprehensive textbook. Through sharing insights, best practices, and case studies, this presentation aims to inspire dialogue and collaboration among educators, industry professionals, and legislators to advance the development of cannabis education within higher education institutions.
