Commercial Cannabis (Dip.) (30 credits)
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Program credit weight: 30
Program Description
The Diploma in Commercial Cannabis focuses on ethical, medical, and legal issues related to the commercial cannabis industry, cannabis medicinal chemistry, contaminants and product development, as well as theoretical and hands-on experience of production, breeding and disease management. The program includes an internship that involves solving a specific problem that the commercial cannabis industry is facing. The program will extend over 12 months.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (30 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FDSC 475 | Introduction to Cannabis and Cannabinoids. | 3 |
Introduction to Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The chemistry, metabolic pathways of formation, biological activity, and health benefits of phytochemicals in cannabis plants. Extraction, classification, and analysis of bioactive components in cannabis plants. | ||
| FDSC 476 | Contaminants in Cannabis. | 3 |
Contaminants in Cannabis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Basic concepts of various contaminants in cannabis. Sources, basic biology/chemistry, classification and testing, method validation and quality assurance procedures to avoid microbial/chemical contamination. | ||
| FDSC 477 | Introduction to Cannabis Product Design. | 3 |
Introduction to Cannabis Product Design. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental principles needed to develop new food products from conceptualization through design, formulation and production, as applied to cannabis products. The technical challenges associated with the formulation of cannabis-based products, as well as the considerations for an optimal formulation. | ||
| PLNT 470 | Cannabis Issues and Concerns. | 3 |
Cannabis Issues and Concerns. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Local, national and international perspectives on issues and concerns regarding cannabis, with a focus on legal, regulatory, ethical, health and safety aspects relevant to industry, government, academics and consumers. | ||
| PLNT 471 | Commercial Cannabis Production. | 4 |
Commercial Cannabis Production. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Botany of the cannabis plant. Climate control for production in controlled environment agriculture: management of temperature, humidity, light, air quality. Production methods and management of irrigation, fertilization, soil and substrates, pests. Propagation, growth, pruning, pinching, harvest, scheduling, processing, storage, quality control, optimal cultivation strategies. | ||
| PLNT 472 | Cannabis Genetics and Breeding. | 4 |
Cannabis Genetics and Breeding. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Cannabis genetic structure and available genomic resources for cannabis research. Introduction to high throughput genomic technologies for the improvement of cannabis cultivars and hybrids and tissue culture protocols. Origin and taxonomic classification of the cannabis genus. Principles and practices of cannabis breeding, including the importance of quantitative trait locus maps and methods of selection of important genetic traits. | ||
| PLNT 473 | Control of Cannabis Diseases. | 4 |
Control of Cannabis Diseases. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Diseases and pest management of cannabis grown under greenhouse and field settings. A systemic approach to descriptions of pests and diseases accompanied by an overview of biological, natural and management solutions to pests and cannabis diseases. Details on products and application methods that are in compliance with Health Canada. Practical laboratory sessions to identify various disease symptoms on cannabis plants and to recommend solutions. | ||
| PLNT 474 | Commercial Cannabis Internship. | 6 |
Commercial Cannabis Internship. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A 12-week internship with a licensed cannabis producer. Workshops in advance of the placement will review professionalism expected when working in industry and with controlled substances. Students will produce a small project or prepare a research paper as part of their internship. | ||