Cannabis Studies
Associate in Arts
Program Details
The Cannabis Studies AA degree is grounded in Social and Behavioral Sciences, with a multi-disciplinary approach including sociology, biological psychology, and anthropology. Coursework focuses on both theoretical and applied perspectives surrounding cannabis and its use. It provides a unique examination of the constructions of cannabis as a product, a psychoactive substance, a behavior, and a form of deviance. It incorporates an applied approach through the lens of the business of cannabis. It also uses a social justice framework to analyze public policy, rhetoric, and health. Cannabis Studies is a gateway degree for students seeking transfer in related disciplines, specifically Anthropology, Psychology (and neuroscience), Sociology (and Social Work), Public Health and Criminal Justice. Cannabis is on a trajectory to be a multi-billion dollar industry before 2030. An Associate Degree in Cannabis Studies can lead to good jobs in the industry. According to a 2019 Whitney Economics Cannabis Jobs report, the cannabis industry is the largest single job creator in the country. In 2019, the cannabis workforce grew by 44%, creating more than 64,000 jobs in all areas of the industry. This degree requires 19 units in the major in addition to other graduation requirements.
Cannabis Studies Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026.
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral degree, Master's degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 51,130
- High salary: 164,650
- Average salary: 84290
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Master's degree, Doctoral degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 47,040
- High salary: 194,530
- Average salary: 80190
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Bachelor's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 68,860
- High salary: 227,590
- Average salary: 136550
All Careers in Cannabis Studies (12)
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Bachelor's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Managers | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 136,550 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Sociologists | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Rising | 101,690 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Stable | 84,290 |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Stable | 82,540 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Master's degree, Doctoral degree | Stable | 80,190 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | Some college, Bachelor's degree | Stable | 60,560 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 58,040 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Analyze the current public health perspective on the issue of substance use versus abuse, including broad political, social and economic factors related to cannabis.
- Demonstrate reasonable knowledge about the historical context of cannabis, particularly relative to discriminatory drug policies in the U.S.
- Explain a spectrum of human behaviors in terms of their corresponding physiological processes, particularly relative to the use of legal and illegal substances.
- Explain the function of the five plant growth regulators on plant growth and cell function, particularly cannabis.
- Identify and apply appropriate sociological theoretical approaches to an analysis of cannabis use.
