Overview
The commercial cannabis industry is growing rapidly, and companies are looking for skilled workers to support the production of high-quality cannabis products.
This 18-week program gives you the foundational industry-required knowledge and skills to cultivate medical and adult-use cannabis for the regulated market.
You will learn the fundamental botany and cultivation methods within a controlled environment, as well as processing techniques required for optimal production and yield. Data collection skills to support regulatory compliance and quality assurance are central to the safe and legal production and packaging of cannabis products.
Work experience
- Work placement is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
- Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
- Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
- Many employers have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which can impact your work experience course. It is your responsibility to understand and be prepared to meet employer vaccination requirements before beginning your placement.
- For more information visit Work Experience Opportunities.
Choose NSCC
- You learn in specialized growing and processing facilities, and carry out projects that provide opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills.
- Small class sizes provide you with lots of one-on-one interaction, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to apply your learning, ask questions and share learning.
- You have many opportunities to network with industry specialists, on- and off-campus, through guest speakers and field trips.
Other info
- Note: You may be exposed to substances that affect people with food allergies and/or sensitivities.
Tuition
Tuition amounts are for the 2022-23 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional. 2023-24 tuition will be announced in the late Spring.
Tuition (Domestic):
$1,810
Tuition (International):
$5,845
Tuition, fees and program costs
In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.
View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
CANN 1050 - Industry Relations
This occupational level course is designed to support student professional development while reinforcing program outcomes. This course includes topics such as employee chain of command and workplace culture. The course will be delivered using guest lectures, field trips, and networking activities with industry professionals, such as licensed producers, equipment manufacturers, and cannabis consultants.
CANN 1150 - Introduction to Cannabis
This occupational level course is designed support cannabis cultivation starting from the seed to Topics will include Cannabis history, medicinal benefits, terminology, anatomy, propagation and reproduction, germination, phenotype, and managing stock plants 'mothers', as it applies to the regulated industry in Canada.
CANN 1200 - Commercial Cultivation Practice
This occupational level course is designed to focus on best practices in the cultivation of plants that are grown under Canadian regulations. This course includes topics such as materials and equipment, fertigation systems, growing mediums, nutrients, lighting and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
CANN 1350 - Quality Assurance and Regulations
This occupational level course is designed to examine Quality Assurance, Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Regulations pertaining to Cannabis cultivation and consumable products in Canada. Topics include quality control, sanitation, biosecurity and biosafety, storage, labelling, destruction, operational procedures, record keeping and the Pharmaceutical Industry (Good Manufacturing Practices; GMP).
HPRA 1019 - Horticulture Science I
This course will introduce learners to the science of horticulture, analyzing plant and soil relationships in the natural environment and increasing their knowledge of the interactions of these relationships by examining sustainable horticulture practices.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.
