Institute for Cannabis Research
Institute for Cannabis Research
The Rowan University Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, & Workforce Development (RPWD) is a multi-disciplinary institute that provides expertise and guidance for policymakers, health care professionals, pharmaceutical industries, government agencies, and businesses as it relates to the legalization of cannabis. See below our three cannabis-focused Centers as all as curricular offerings in areas of Cannabinoid Chemistry, Cannabis Commercialization, Socio-behavioral Impacts and Enforcement of Cannabis Policies, as well as a Cannabis Apprenticeship program.
Center for Cannabinoid Science & Therapeutics
Our research laboratories are equipped with advanced instrumentation required to study the chemical composition of the hundreds of cannabinoid molecules associated with cannabis.
Center for Cannabis Workforce Development
In all areas of focus, outreach and education are an integral part of the mission. Through our curriculum and extracurricular programs, our students are able to obtain credentials and experience to enhance the workforce of New Jersey in cannabis-related industries.
Socio-Behavioral, Security & Law Enforcement Cannabis Center
The faculty associated with the institute are available to assist government and public policy officials in navigating the changing legal landscape of cannabis regulation through research, policy analysis, legislative reviews, and law enforcement audits.
Cannabis Education at Rowan University
Rowan University offers an expansive range of cannabis-focused programs, equipping students and professionals with specialized skills for the cannabis industry through rigorous academic pathways to explore all facets of this growing field, including credit-bearing Certificate options at both undergraduate and graduate levels, which can also count toward requirements for some degree programs.
Cannabinoid Chemistry addresses the pressing need for scientists trained in analyzing cannabinoids, a major class of active molecules in cannabis. This program prepares students to meet the growing demand for expertise as legalization and therapeutic applications expand nationwide.
Cannabis Commercialization provides essential insights into the business landscape of cannabis, focusing on market strategy, operational sustainability, and best practices for managing growth in this dynamic sector. Students gain the skills to navigate evolving market trends and regulatory requirements.
Socio-Behavioral and Legal Studies examines the regulatory, social, and legal dimensions of cannabis, from policy development to understanding its broader societal impacts. This program equips students to address the complex legal and social challenges facing the industry.
Complementing these academic areas, Rowan University’s Cannabis Apprenticeship Training Program is a fully virtual, industry-driven initiative for the retail sector. This comprehensive program supports both employers and employees with targeted training in compliance, safety, and customer service, providing a clear pathway for career growth in cannabis retail.
Chemistry/Biochemistry Programs - Cannabinoid Chemistry
Cannabinoids are a major class of pharmacologically active molecules found in cannabis, commonly known as marijuana. With increased nationwide trends toward legalization and prescription of medical marijuana, development of cannabis related therapies, and legalization of recreational marijuana (including in the State of NJ), there is a pressing need for scientists trained in the analysis of cannabinoid containing materials. These needs are highlighted in a recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. We offer certificates of undergraduate and graduate studies.
Business Programs - Cannabis Commercialization
The rapidly evolving cannabis industry is anticipated to become a multi-billion dollar economic driver across the USA – and beyond. Career opportunities related to cannabis are vast, and cross-over talent is in high demand. Plant-touching verticals such as cultivation, extraction, manufacturing and/or retail need experts from other industries to adapt, extend, and expand best practices into the highly regulated cannabis market.
School of Professional Studies Programs - Cannabis Studies
Rowan University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) is offering two Certificate Programs for learners wishing to gain a better understanding of the socio-behavioral, and legal impact and enforcement of medical and recreational cannabis. The certificates are in both undergraduate and graduate programs and they serve learners seeking careers in the Cannabis industry, cultivation, customer services, education/guidance, compliance, and legal and social regulations.
Cannabis Apprenticeship Training Program
Rowan University’s Cannabis Apprenticeship Training Program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to support New Jersey’s expanding cannabis industry by providing comprehensive, industry-specific training for the retail sector. This fully virtual program offers substantial benefits to both employers and employees, addressing the critical need for skilled professionals in a fast-growing, regulated market.
For employers, the program helps streamline the onboarding and professional development of new hires, offering a structured online curriculum that covers key competencies in customer service, compliance, safety, and product handling—areas essential for maintaining regulatory standards and enhancing customer satisfaction. By enrolling employees in this program, employers can cultivate a workforce that is not only knowledgeable in best practices but also prepared to navigate the unique challenges of cannabis retail.
Employees in the program gain advanced job skills and hands-on knowledge through online instruction by subject matter experts with over five years of experience in the regulated cannabis sector. With 2,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 144 hours of virtual coursework, apprentices acquire specialized knowledge in cash control, inventory management, packaging requirements, and cannabis-specific health and safety protocols. This combination of theoretical and practical training ensures participants achieve retail mastery and prepares them for long-term career growth in the cannabis industry. Upon completion, apprentices receive a certificate from Rowan University, further enhancing their credentials and marketability in the cannabis field.
The program is funded through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and is supported by a robust consortium of partners dedicated to workforce development, including Rowan College of South Jersey, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, the Gloucester County Workforce Development Board, and Loud Wellness. Together, these organizations have created a pioneering curriculum that aligns with the needs of a modern cannabis retail workforce.
Enrollment for the next virtual training session is open to new hires and employees who have been with their employer since June 2024. The session will run from January 6 to May 15, 2025, providing participants with a streamlined pathway to expertise in this regulated sector.
For additional information on the apprenticeship program, contact Faith Kallert, Cannabis Apprenticeship Coordinator for UFCW Local 360, at kallert@rowan.edu or by phone or text at 856-476-7200.
Cannabis Resources and Information
Rowan Library Resources
Please view our carefully curated list of books, articles, journals, magazines and news sources to learn more about the business side of cannabis.
In the News:
Rowan’s Cannabis Institute – Research, Policy, and Workforce Development
Read more about Rowan's Cannabis Institute including its goals, projects, people involved, and more.
Cannabis Related Webinars
Cannabis Career Paths - Business Edition: Upcoming Webinar!
The rapidly evolving cannabis industry is projected to continue swift growth and expansion, career opportunities related to cannabis are vast, and cross-over talent is in high demand. What are some of the areas anticipated for the strongest growth, which types of roles and talent are most in demand by employers, and how can job candidates land ideal opportunities?
The Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University is partnering with thought leaders to share insights on what the highly regulated cannabis industry needs most from talent with business education, experience, and knowledge in this fast growing sector.
Join this upcoming webinar on June 21st, 2022 at 5pm. We will begin with moderated questions, then our panel of cannabis professionals will take questions from the audience.
Past Webinars
Law, Business, and Cannabis: Perspectives from Industry Experts
Law, Business, and Cannabis: Perspectives from Industry Experts
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Sponsored by Rowan's Graduate Programs in Business, the Law and Justice Studies Department, and the Rowan University Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, & Workforce Development (RPWD).
The cannabis industry is evolving at a rapid pace - and the impacts in NJ are expected to be enormous. Experts in this panel discussion will share insights on existing and anticipated challenges as regulations, markets, and social dynamics evolved in NJ. We will spend about half of the session in moderated question format, then spend the second half of the session in Q&A driven by audience interest.
Questions addressed include:
- What are some of the core issues related to advocacy, social equity, and policy reform?
- What research exists regarding crime rates in cities and states where medicinal and adult use cannabis has been legalized?
- How might accountants, marketers, bankers, realtors, be impacted by evolving regulations and legal implications?
- What are key requirements, skill sets, expertise, etc., needed to work in the cannabis industry?
- What are early trends for opportunities, plus uncertainties and challenges, regarding careers either directly in cannabis or in adjacent/supporting industries?
- How has the legalization of adult use or recreational cannabis affected crime rates in states that have already moved in this direction?
- Where will legal regulations from the industry come from, and who will be in charge of enforcement?
Guest Speakers:
- Chirali Patel, JD, BS Management, Cannabis Entrepreneur, Attorney at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PCl, and Co-Chair of Social Justice & Equity Subcommittee and Member of the Executive Board for the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee
- Gregg Hilzer, LLM, JD, BA PoliSci, Partner at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PC
- Tamieka Range, JD, BS Finance, Director of Government and Community Affairs at Cookies and Founder of Range Law Firm, LLC
- Hugh O'Beirne, JD, MA, Founder of Hawthorne Ave Strategies LLC and Director of the Cannabis Advisory Group
- Nichelle Pace, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Camden Business Association and President of Enchanting Media
Moderators:
- Jennifer Maden, Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Studies, Rohrer College of Business, Rowan University
- Kimberly A. Houser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Law and Justice Studies, Rowan University
The Business of Cannabis: Opportunities for the Garden State
Description
The cannabis industry is evolving at a rapid pace - and the NJ landscape is viewed as a very lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the USA and beyond. The market potential is estimated in billions of dollars. Adult-use cannabis in NJ could significantly boost tax revenue to fuel state investments, create thousands of jobs, and thus increase consumer buying capacity and support local businesses.
Join our Expert Webinar to hear from cannabis industry thought leaders who will share insights on NJ's emerging marketplace(s), accounting and tax issues, seed to sale operations, regulatory compliance realities, and core issues related to advocacy, social equity, and policy reform. We will discuss the trends, strategies, and challenges that underscore this dynamic, nascent, and evolving market.
Speakers include Hugh O'Beirne, Stacey Udell, Mackie Barch, Dasheeda Dawson, and Jennifer Drake.
Event moderated by Jennifer Maden, Eric Liguori, and Frank Ieradi.
Discussion topics include:
- How will the NJ cannabis industry and marketplace develop in light of the adult-use legislation?
- What are some of the challenges involved in implementation of the growing cannabis market(s)? Which are unique to NJ, and which are more general?
- Aside from securing a license to operate a plant-touching business, what are other ways for business professionals to cross-over their skillset (e.g., marketing, supply chain, accounting, etc.) into the legal cannabis industry? What are the biggest white space areas and opportunities?
- What are some of the unique aspects of trying to value cannabis business entities for various purposes such as M&A transactions, financial reporting, and accounting and taxes?
- Why is an understanding of the inherent and ubiquitous medicinal properties of cannabis important to new business development and/or seed-to-solution operational strategy within the industry?
- How might social justice and racial equity factor into business decisions?
- As we consider the impact of regulations on cannabis businesses, what are the ways that entrepreneurs and businesses can influence post-legalization policy reform to align with their consumer-driven business objectives?
- What does all of this mean for investors?
This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Rohrer College of Business Graduate Programs and the Rowan University Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy & Workforce Development.
Workshop on the Legal, Economic and Social Impact of New Jersey's Cannabis Legislation
Research Compliance
More information on research compliance in regards to the institute is available here.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions on Cannabis research topics.