In February, Western Illinois University (WIU) announced the creation of two cannabis minors: cannabis production and cannabis and culture.
The 18-19 credit hour programs are set to begin in the fall of 2020. The university developed the minors in response to the rising interest in cannabis that has only grown since adult-use became legal in the state in January.
Andy Baker, director of the university's School of Agriculture, told NBC5 Chicago that faculty members are working to establish partnerships with hemp producers and those in the recreational and medical marijuana businesses.
“There's certainly enough hemp producers in the state that [students] could get experience working in the field,'' he said.
The second minor, cannabis and culture, is an interdisciplinary minor offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and includes courses such as Cannabis Culture, Religion & Drugs, Contemporary Moral Problems, History of Drugs, Introduction to Public Policy and Ethno-botany. An online version of the minor is also under review.
"This interdisciplinary minor lays the foundation for understanding the socio-cultural, historical and politics of cannabis use in the U.S. and around the globe," said WIU Interim Provost Billy Clow in a university press release. "We're thrilled to be able to provide our students with new, progressive academic programs such as the new minors in cannabis and culture and cannabis production."
"This new minor will provide our students with educational opportunities that examine numerous aspects of the cannabis trade," added Sarah Haynes, a liberal arts and sciences professor and co-creator of the minors. "And our new minor is distinct within the state of Illinois. No other public or private institution in the state offers a minor of this type that addresses the cultural aspects of the cannabis industry and its global use."
