University of Lynchburg to offer ‘Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine’ certificate program

LYNCHBURG, Va (WFXR) — The University of Lynchburg announced a new partnership this week that will offer a “Cannabis healthcare and medicine certificate.” It’s a “not-for-credit” class meant to educate people on the medicinal impact of marijuana.

“We know that the cannabis industry has had exponential growth recently across the nation and in the commonwealth, so we want to help ensure that practitioners and dispensaries have the right information as they’re working with dispensaries and their patients,” said the school’s executive director of the Professional Development Institute, John Zinn.

To do this– the university is partnering with “Green Flower” a company that aims to teach people about cannabis and end the stigma– especially around medicinal use.

“Half the people that walk in there are going to be over the age of 50 and looking to solve a problem, not getting high,” said Chief Growth Officer, Daniel Kalef.

As more and more people turn to cannabis as medicine, Kalef says medical professionals need to know how it works.

Roanoke College introduces new Cannabis Studies Program

“And if a doctor or a nurse or nurse practitioner or a therapist don’t really understand what cannabis does in the human body then they’re gonna be not really understanding how to help their patients,” said Kalef.

Zinn says people use medicinal cannabis for pain management, sleep, cancer, and even some autoimmune diseases.

“So we just want to help our graduates and others in the area understand the background of cannabis and recognize that it may be a choice,” said Zinn.

Because cannabis is not federally legal, the course does not count for any credits but serves as a professional development resource for those interested in learning more.

The first cohort will begin May 6, but Zinn says there will be more courses starting on an ongoing basis. More information can be found on the University of Lynchburg website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.