This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
Published on November 30, 2019, a university in Michigan has introduced an unusual degree program that focuses on the comprehensive study of marijuana.
The Northern Michigan University's program is a four-year degree that combines chemistry, biology, botany, horticulture, marketing, and finance to provide students with a thorough understanding of the plant and its uses.
According to Brandon Canfield, an associate chemistry professor at the university, students in the program do not grow marijuana plants but instead study other plants with medicinal value that are legal to cultivate.
The university officials stated that the program fills a need, given that 29 states in the US have legalized medical marijuana, including eight states where recreational use is also permitted.
They added that marijuana cannot be ignored and that it is essential to understand its effects and uses.
The university hopes that the degree program will spark interest in the comprehensive study of marijuana, leading to the debunking of myths surrounding the plant.
Already, there is ongoing debate about the impact of marijuana on fertility, with conflicting research findings suggesting that it either enhances or reduces fertility.
Brandon Canfield noted, 'We cannot pretend that marijuana is not part of our lives; it is, and many states have legalized its use.'
While several states in the US have legalized marijuana, the Kenyan government has yet to provide a clear stance on the matter, with calls for its legalization continuing to grow.
