Bachelor of Science
Cannabis Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the booming business of legal cannabis trade — there’s more to it than you think.

Cannabis Entrepreneurship collides the worlds of science, business, economics and entrepreneurship together to evaluate the rapidly growing and evolving landscape of the cannabis industry. 

This rigorous Bachelor of Science (B.S.) spans the entire process of building a business within the cannabis industry. GPA requirements in high school sciences are considered in the application approval for this program; the program requires a GPA of 2.75 or higher. You’ll start with the foundations of entrepreneurship to learn how to create and launch your own business or work with an established company. From there, you’ll explore the process of developing your own non-psychoactive cannabis product (best known as CBD) from seed to distribution.*

There has long been a demand for a serious business program that explores the flourishing cannabis industry, and JWU has delivered. We’re here to prepare today’s students to be leaders in the industries of tomorrow — are you ready to join us?

*“Cannabis” refers to three plants known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis, and encompasses both marijuana and hemp. The main difference between marijuana and hemp is their THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) content, which is more than .3 percent in marijuana and .3 percent or less in hemp. Although many state laws have legalized both marijuana and hemp (including Rhode Island), marijuana remains an illegal Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. The university must comply with both federal and state law; therefore, the university strictly prohibits the distribution, growth, possession, processing, production, sale, and use of marijuana, with limited exceptions for research only insofar as permitted under all applicable laws. As such, students will not actually be working with cannabis but learning about the processes using similar plants, such as tomato, sundew, coleus and other plants that mimic the growth conditions of cannabis. Hemp is legal, albeit regulated; all uses of hemp must comply strictly with all applicable laws. 

Sample Cannabis Entrepreneurship Courses

• Cannabis Law
• Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management
• Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction
• Foundations in Chemistry
• The Applications of Plants and Fungi
• Pitching & Planning New Ventures
• Growth and Sustainability for Small Business
• Small Business Management: Cannabis Operations

Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:

Providence

In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.

For an explanation of the career outcomes rate and other information, visit JWU Student Consumer Information.

This program is available in Providence. Contact Admissions for more info.

Special Event: Open House

Campus is open for you! Take a student-led walking tour and meet with Admissions, Student Financial Services, Faculty, Residential Life and more. Learn more about academics and meet professors and the college dean, too.

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