On Monday, Kent State University announced it will be launching six online Cannabis Career Certificate programs in partnership with Green Flower, a cannabis education company. 

The partnership aims to help meet workforce demands in Ohio's rapidly growing $3 billion cannabis industry, a news release states.

"Kent State is committed to offering high-quality, workforce-aligned education that meets the needs of emerging industries in Ohio," said Alicia Crowe, Ph.D., interim dean, Kent State University's College of Education, Health and Human Services. "Our partnership with Green Flower and this expanded suite of certificate programs give learners the practical knowledge and credentials they need to compete for in-demand roles in the rapidly evolving cannabis field."

Classes in Kent State's Cannabis Education program began in January 2024. To date, more than 270 students have enrolled in the courses offered in the university's online cannabis education program, according to the release.

The first cohort for the new suite of certificate programs at Kent State begins Jan. 13, 2026, with additional start dates available every eight weeks.

The new courses give students a path toward becoming a Cannabis Associate, Cannabis Cultivation Specialist, Cannabis Product Development Specialist, Cannabis Retail and Sales Specialist, Cannabis Compliance Specialist and a Medical Cannabis Specialist. All of the new courses can be completed in 8-16 weeks.

With a certificate from the courses, students will be granted access to the Cannabis Career Resource Center to aid in continuing education, employer access and an exclusive LinkedIn community.

According to the Vangst 2023 Jobs Report, which tracks cannabis industry trends by state and nationwide, Ohio's legal cannabis industry has created more than 1,300 new jobs since 2023.

"These new Cannabis Career Certificates are built to match exactly what employers are hiring for in each sector of the cannabis industry," said Max Simon, CEO and founder of Green Flower.

Green Flower Inc., based in California, believes "the cannabis industry has enormous potential to make a positive impact on our society; as a health and wellness tool, job-creation engine, agricultural renaissance, entrepreneurial boom, disruptor of pharma, alcohol, and tobacco, social justice movement, and much more."