Medical cannabis is a quickly growing industry, and trained experts are critical to the safe and responsible use of cannabis for medical patients. Oakton wants to help you break into this expanding industry with a Cannabis Dispensary and Patient Care Specialist certificate. This certificate will prepare you to work in a licensed cannabis dispensary, where you will provide cannabis patients with education and assist with dispensary operations in alignment with state and federal laws. Our program will give you the skills to interact with and educate cannabis clients in a regulated environment, as well as the foundational knowledge to pursue additional careers in the cannabis industry.
This certificate program is the first college-credit career certificate for the fast-growing medical cannabis industry to be offered by a community college. The program provides training for entry-level employment in the medical cannabis health field, as well as continued professional development and training for current dispensary professionals who require continuing education.
Students seeking employment in cannabis dispensaries and cultivation centers must be 21 years or older and comply with regulations regarding a criminal background check. Dispensary employees will need to meet the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR) requirements to acquire an Agent Card. This certificate can be completed in one semester.
Certificate Program
Our 12-credit-hour Cannabis Dispensary and Patient Care Specialist certificate can be completed in one semester. View the certificate pathway and explore what you'll be learning in your course
Explore Related Programs
Oakton offers a number of other cannabis-related certificates and training programs. We have also entered into an articulation agreement with Northern Michigan University to help you transition seamlessly into its Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Plant Chemistry.
“Oakton is taking my career to the next level with the cannabis program. Over the next decade, cannabis is going to reach more people. And I want to be a part of what happens in that field
A'mon Homes
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