BCC to Offer Cannabis Industry Certificate Program

Recreational marijuana business in The Berkshires is blooming, with stores sprouting up around the county.  With more retail stores on the horizon and growing facilities in the works, Berkshire Community College is offering a certificate course preparing students for the budding business.

According to BCC's website, the proposed Cannabis Certificate Program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to work professionally in the areas of cannabis cultivation, processing, preparation, retail, and outreach.

The course description says that students will be prepared by foundational courses in business, communication, biopsychology, and horticulture, and will receive specific training through cannabis related labs and lectures and an accompanying practicum at Berkshire Roots, BCC’s educational cannabis industry partner.

The program is planned for this fall's upcoming semester, although, according to The Berkshire Eagle, the program is still waiting on approval from the state's Department of Higher Education (HIGHER education; insert lame weed joke here).  However, the college says that students can still start with the required course load in September. BCC has also proposed offering a new horticulture and cannabis program in the Spring 2020 semester as well, although those course are contingent on the approval process.

The certificate course description goes on to say that students who graduate from the flagship program can find employment in Berkshire County as an assistant grower, cannabis consultant, cannabis retail associate or general manager, dispensary associate, agent or assistant manager, a patient advocate, and processing technician or trimmer among many other positions.

Prospective students who would like to know more are welcome to attend one of two information sessions which Berkshire Community College will be hosting. The first will be held at 1 p.m. today, Thursday the 22nd, the second at 6 p.m. Monday, August 26, both in Melville Room 317. Interested students will be able to enroll and learn more about financial aid opportunities at these informational sessions.  The last day to sign up for this specific program, as well as any other fall offerings, have until the first day of classes, September 3 to enroll.

Those interested are encourage to check the school's website or contact George Ambriz and Frank Schickor at gambriz@berkshirecc.edu and fschicko@berkshirecc.edu, respectively, or by calling them at 413- 236-1625 or 413-236-2105.