It’s hard not to notice that the course number for Northern Michigan University’s latest offering in its medicinal plant chemistry degree is “CH 420.”
Yet, Mark Paulsen, head of the school’s chemistry department, says the new degree track is not a major in marijuana, as some headlines screamed. Instead, the first-of-its-kind program is an interdisciplinary science degree with a focus on the chemistry of medicinal plants, specifically targeting the extracts of those plants and products people would consume.
“It’s not a cannabis degree, per se,” Paulsen says. “The focus is on training students to test these materials.”
But there is no denying that the faculty and staff at Northern Michigan University have their eyes on the needs of the fastest-growing industry in the country.
According to Paulsen, as part of the college’s strategic planning, department heads were asked to look for emerging trends in their fields. As laws have changed around the country, there has been a growing need for trained, professional chemists who can operate the machinery and conduct the tests required by each state that has legalized and regulated cannabis, either for recreational or medicinal use.
“Knowing that change was happening, faculty here at Northern Michigan going to chemistry conferences recognized there was a growing interest in cannabis chemistry,” Paulsen says.
Northern Michigan University’s new medical plant chemistry major is aimed at filling a need for chemists in cannabis testing labs around the country. Photos courtesy of Northern Michigan University.
Currently 30 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam have legalized medical marijuana, while eight states have passed legislation to allow commercial, recreational marijuana sales. Michigan, which legalized medical marijuana in 2008, is one of several states likely to put adult-use ballot measures before voters in 2018.
The medicinal plant chemistry major requires core chemistry courses in general, analytical and organic tracks, as well as plant biology and geographical sciences to give students exposure to the horticultural side of the industry.
But, according to Paulsen, the medicinal plant chemistry seminars are the heart of the program. The seminars feature outside experts discussing industry trends and issues, as well as creating connections for internships and other opportunities.
For their senior year, students will grow, harvest and process the medicinal plant of their choice and then analyze its extracts, oils and other bio-active compounds.
Students will not, however, be allowed to grow cannabis as the college is not an authorized cultivator. Instead, they will grow plants like basil or oregano, teas like chamomile, or traditional herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort.
Students in the program also have the choice between two tracks: entrepreneurial or analytical. The entrepreneurial track is designed for those who want to start their own lab or other business related to plant products. It will teach the basics of business and marketing.
The analytical track provides additional training in chemical analysis and is designed for students who want to work in a lab.
Paulsen says the response has been “overwhelmingly positive” from the administration, the board of trustees and students. Twelve students have declared for the program this year, but a much larger class is expected next fall as this year’s freshmen begin to select majors.
Paulsen says there is no concern about state and federal officials because students are not actually growing marijuana. The college expects legislators and regulators to be part of the seminars.
“We assume that as long as we’re not growing or processing cannabis then the federal government would have no problems with that,” he says.