PIT offering a degree in Cannabis Studies
The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology has gone to pot.
The Nether Providence college has established a Cannabis Studies program and with it is offering two associate degrees - one in Cannabis Business and another in Cannabis Health Therapy. They’re even offering a free information session at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.
PIT said statistics for the cannabis workforce showed a 445 percent increase last year with 410,000 jobs anticipated to be added to the sector in 2021.
The program is head by Lou Giannotti. A trained pharmacist, Gianotti most recently served as director of operations for Holistic Industries, known by its brand name of Liberty Cannabis. Also having served as director of dispensary operations, he worked with health care providers and the community.
“Research has proven that medical marijuana is an effective medical treatment for a variety of ailments,” he said. “The demand for people who are educated and passionate about this industry is extremely strong. There are career opportunities for dispensary management, security personnel, horticultural professionals, transportation specialists and many other yet to be determined areas of this growing business. PIT recognizes this need and will provide highly qualified individuals to fill these positions”.
The Health Therapy module focuses on medicinal marijuana, particularly in its relief in palliative care. PIT states there are 23 diagnoses in Pennsylvania that allow for medical cannabis.
Cannabis can be used to alleviate pain in chronic conditions, such as cancer, and in effects from cancer and Parkinson’s disease. It has also seen impacts in reducing spasms in those with multiple sclerosis.
How it works is there are chemicals in cannabis called cannabinoids. The body has cannabinoid receptors throughout it as seen in the Endocannabinoid System. These cannabinoid receptors are found in the brain, organs, connective tissue, glands and immune cells and their primary purpose is to maintain homeostasis within the body, regardless of external factors.
In the Cannabis Business program, students are prepared to start their own cannabis-related business or work for a dispensary or grow operation. In either the Cannabis Business or Cannabis Health Therapy units, graduates can transfer credits upon completion to a university to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree.
Students in this business program will be exposed to a variety of business models, from small to large. They will also examine the science, botany, marketing and accounting parts associated with a cannabis-related business.
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s next semester begins Oct. 5.
To register for the cannabis information session, please visit https://w w w.eventbrite.com/e/
cannabis-degree-info-sessiontickets-115754427609. Speakers will include medicla professionals working in the cannabis industry, students and instructors of PIT’s Cannabis Studies program and Gianotti.