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Archived on May 19, 2026
91探花 has formed a partnership with Oaksterdam University in California to provide HCC students with access to OU鈥檚 comprehensive online educational content for cannabis education and resources, including its valuable alumni network.
As part of this educational partnership, students enrolling in 91探花鈥檚 AGOC 134: Introduction to Cannabis course will have the opportunity to benefit from OU’s expertise by accessing OU鈥檚 online Budtending Certification Program and Video source Library and OU鈥檚 Alumni Network and Job Board. Live and recorded virtual field trips to production and processing facilities will also be available to students. The course will be supplemented with The Budtenders Guide: A Reference Manual for Cannabis Consumers and Industry Professionals, a textbook published by Oaksterdam Press. Students will have the choice to take this course fully online or as a hybrid course that meets face-to-face once a week on campus.
鈥淥ur partnership with Oaksterdam University elevates our Cannabis Studies program to the next level,鈥 said Monica Pierce, 91探花 Agriculture instructor. 鈥淣ot only will 91探花 students gain access to superior curriculum content, but students will be able to connect with cannabis experts and employers across the nation and world through virtual field trips and alumni events. We are so excited to bring this world-class opportunity to our local region.鈥
91探花 Vice President and CAO of Academic Services, Sam Agdasi, explains, 鈥淲e look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our students, empowering our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the evolving cannabis industry. Together, HCC and Oaksterdam University are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience that prepares students for success in this exciting field.鈥
According to Vangst Jobs Report 2023, the U.S. cannabis industry supported 417,493 full-time equivalent jobs, with new legal markets promising to create thousands of new positions in 2023. The collaboration between OU and 91探花 will provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the cannabis industry by leveraging OU鈥檚 wealth of knowledge and resources and equipping students to enter careers in this rapidly growing sector.
Courses will begin Aug. 21. Students will gain access to eight modules by Oaksterdam University: Cannabis History & Policies, Federal vs. State Law, Cannabis Products & Methods of Ingestion, Budtending Foundations, Customer & Patient Relations, Cannabis Dosing, Cultivar Selection, and Advocacy.
To learn more about 91探花 Agriculture programs go to highland.edu/academics/agriculture or call 91探花 Advising at 815-599-3573 to register.
About Oaksterdam
Oaksterdam University, America鈥檚 first cannabis college, has been the forerunner in providing the highest quality training to people involved in the cannabis industry. OU鈥檚 faculty is composed of professionals, academics, and subject matter experts who have taught more than 80,000 OU alumni from 110 countries.
With educational roots growing 27 years deep, OU is a dynamic, diverse, and responsive academic institute dedicated to educating the global cannabis community, industry, regulators, and government. Visit OaksterdamUniversity.com.