Stockton University is making history this fall by introducing an undergraduate degree in cannabis studies, making it the first college or university in New Jersey to do so.
Located in Galloway with additional campuses in Atlantic City, Hammonton, Manahawkin, and Woodbine, Stockton University is offering the Bachelor of Science in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management degree. This program is an expansion of the university’s existing Cannabis Studies minor, which has already seen more than 70 graduates since its commencement in 2018.
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The core curriculum of the degree includes traditional business courses alongside specialized topics related to cannabis. Students will have the opportunity to explore subjects like cannabis cultivation, social justice and cannabis, and introduction to medical cannabis. They can also engage in hands-on learning experiences through field internships. Upon graduation, students can pursue various roles in labs, dispensaries, or within management, marketing, accounting, social media, or compliance departments for cannabis companies.
“There are numerous employment opportunities in the New Jersey job market, and cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country,” said Rob Mejia, an adjunct professor in cannabis education at Stockton. “With the industry expanding rapidly, professional job opportunities are increasing, offering competitive salaries and a wide range of career paths.”
In New Jersey, cannabis has been legal for medical use since 2010 and was legalized for recreational use in 2021. The medicinal benefits of cannabis include the prevention of seizures, cancer treatment, anxiety disorder management, and blood pressure regulation. On the recreational side, the edible cannabis industry in New Jersey is on the rise, with products like infused snacks and beverages gaining popularity.
Mejia emphasizes the importance of hemp, a non-psychoactive form of cannabis, which is utilized for various purposes such as CBD oil production, textile manufacturing, beauty products, and construction materials. According to Mejia, New Jersey is expected to reach over $1 billion in cannabis product sales this year.
While the cannabis business is thriving, Mejia acknowledges that there is still a stigma surrounding cannabis use. To combat this stigma, Mejia oversees an on-campus club called Cannabis Ospreys, which organizes guest speakers and charity events. As the degree program launches, Mejia anticipates an increase in club membership.
Although Stockton’s cannabis degree is the first of its kind in New Jersey, similar programs exist across the country at institutions like LIM College, Roanoke College, California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt, Lake Superior State University, and Colorado State University. Mejia collaborates with professors from these programs through an annual “national cannabis curriculum convening.”
In addition to Stockton, other universities in New Jersey offer cannabis-related certificates and degrees. Rutgers University and William Paterson University provide certificates, while Hudson County Community College offers a business administration degree with a cannabis studies focus. Stockton has an affiliation agreement with HCCC, allowing students to transfer from the cannabis associates program to complete a four-year degree in cannabis studies.
“Foreseeably, somebody could actually get an associate’s degree, a four-year degree, and then even an MBA in cannabis,” Mejia noted.
Outside of New Jersey, Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia offers cannabis studies certificates, and Thomas Jefferson University provides a Master of Science degree in medical cannabis science and business.
Mejia predicts that more universities will join the cannabis studies field due to the growing demand for trained workers. He hopes that Stockton’s program will set a precedent in the local industry and attract students seeking fulfilling careers in the cannabis sector.
“I’m hoping that we’ll get robust enrollment,” Mejia said. “A lot of the colleges and universities are really scrambling to get students… So we need to come up with programs that are going to attract students. And I think this one will. So my hope is that we have good and strong enrollment, and that the students get jobs immediately upon graduation, and that they contribute to the industry in a smart, ethical and social way.”