Please tell us about your professional background, including your current role in the cannabis industry.
I used to do nonprofit fundraising for arts and cultural institutions, most recently raising major gifts for an art museum in San Diego. The work was fulfilling, but I lost my passion for it. I needed a career change, and cannabis kept coming up as a pathway. I found an opportunity to be the first employee at a cannabis staffing and recruiting start-up. There, I placed hundreds of candidates in the industry and saw the transition of California becoming adult-use legal.
I then joined the team at The Arcview Group to focus on bigger picture issues in the industry. At Arcview, I’m the Director of Community, helping to run our Women’s Inclusion Network. I also work closely with our member-managed Fund, screen investment deal flow, participate in educational webinars, and help shape other programming resources.
What are your thoughts on the need for formal academic preparation in the cannabis space?
An educational base of cannabis knowledge is definitely needed in this ever-evolving and rapidly changing industry. When I was recruiting, only those who were in the legacy market had “experience.” Now that the industry is becoming more mainstream, akin to traditional consumer-goods, so much nuance and information needs to be addressed for those coming into it.
Why does the cannabis industry need graduates with degrees like this?
A lot of individuals have moved over from parallel traditional markets, such as fashion, and there’s a long ramp-up to understand all of the underlying issues in this specific industry. To have candidates with knowledge of the history, regulations, culture, and intricacies of cannabis will allow them to jump into positions more quickly, and not get left in the dust due to lack of understanding.
What are the opportunities that exist for graduates with a degree in the business of cannabis?
The opportunities are endless! The cannabis industry is creating new roles and opportunities every day, and this is the time to create your own path in it. From retail merchandising up to C-suite positions, there is a place for everyone in this business, and we welcome all those who have the passion!
LIM's BBA program in The Business of Cannabis is currently accepting first-year applications for the class entering in Fall 2022.
