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Begin your cannabis career with MSU Denver’s Cannabis 101 course
A cannabis course designed for beginners
Cannabis 101 is an online cannabis course that will give students a robust look into the cannabis industry in Colorado. Whether you’re new to the cannabis industry or are looking to expand your knowledge for career advancement or to start your own cannabis business, this course provides a well-rounded foundation in cannabis history, regulations, and applications. Explore the evolution of cannabis from a local, national, and global perspective while gaining a deep understanding of the differences between the medical and recreational use of cannabis. From cannabis cultivation to distribution, you’ll learn the key legal and regulatory aspects that shape the cannabis industry today.
No prior cannabis industry experience needed
Designed by faculty at MSU Denver, this university-caliber course will expand your knowledge of the industry in preparation for cannabis career advancement, getting into the business of cannabis, personal education, and more.
Self-paced, flexible online course
Unlike other programs, Cannabis 101 is online and self-paced, allowing you to balance your personal life while continuing your cannabis education.
Course information
This course will give the student an overview of the recreational and medical cannabis industry in Colorado. What goes on in a cannabis dispensary, and the various products sold as a result of cannabis agriculture, will be explored. Legal aspects of both medical and recreational cannabis cultivation, distribution, and possession will be covered. Participants will learn about the guidelines for both consumption and cannabis compliance in the industry with the sale of cannabis and related products. Cannabis and CBD in the kitchen will be discussed. Industry leaders will be available for specialized lectures.
Cannabis 101 runs September 2 – November 2, 2025. Students must register by September 9. The eight-week course is entirely online and self-paced. You can complete the course anytime within the eight weeks the course is available.
The tuition for this course is $475, with a $35 transaction fee. No textbooks are required.
1) Understand cannabis history from a local, national, and international perspective.
2) Recognize and explain the differences in medical and recreational cannabis.
3) Distinguish between various food and cooking applications with a variety of cannabis-related products.
4) Clarify sources and uses of cannabis, CBD, and hemp products through cannabis research.
5) Understand the regulatory requirements both within the State and through the FDA that are required for the sale or use of cannabis or CBD products.
6) Explore various legal aspects in cannabis, including cultivation, distribution, sales, packaging and possession, and use.
7) Demonstrate proficiency in understanding intoxication components and learn the legal impact on cannabis tourists and out-of-state employment contracts.
You may request to receive a digital badge for that will be embedded with the competencies learned. This badge can be added to your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or even share it with your current or future employer.
Meet your Cannabis 101 instructor
Shannon Donnelly, cannabis expert
Shannon Donnelly is an affiliate professor of Cannabis in the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She developed a curriculum and started teaching Cannabis classes and courses like Cannabis 101 at the University in January 2022.
Donnelly is recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Weed by Green Entrepreneurs and a Power Player by Merry Jane. She collaborates with like-minded entrepreneurs to use her 14 years of experience in successful business re-design to create impactful, inclusive, diverse, sustainable, and profitable solutions for the industry.
In 2007, she started her career in Cannabis retail management and has been an influential part of its growth. Donnelly is well known for her hands-on, idea-driven, and insightful approach to business design. As a cannabis specialist, she has worked with executive teams across legalized retail and medical facilities to rebuild operations, cannabis management practices, and training programs in both dispensaries and product manufacturing.
Working across these areas has provided her with a unique perspective of the legal cannabis industry; working with over 20,000 customers and clients has given her an incredible insight into what customers want and need. In addition to consulting work and teaching courses at MSU Denver, she channels her passion into other industry ventures to share the value of botanical product applications. In 2014, she created Health Honeys to make quality CBD products accessible to women and offer them a safe place to experience the natural relief, ease, and restorative properties of botanical ingredients for comprehensive health.
Donnelly received her bachelor’s degree from MSU Denver in land use with a concentration in environment and resources.
