The Cannabis industry is growing as fast as the plants, but what exactly is cannabis? What’s the difference between CBD and THC? Cannabis isn’t new, but its legal and medical status is.
The Office of Community Outreach at Spoon River College has scheduled cannabis industry workshops at all four Spoon River College locations, and they are ideal for those looking to increase their general knowledge about this ancient plant.
The workshops are being sponsored by Nature’s Grace and Wellness, LLC, and are a prelude to a bigger venture between the college and the local licensed cannabis cultivator. The family owned business has invested $100,000 to assist with the development of a cannabis curriculum and certificate program that will be rolled out by the college’s Office of Community Outreach in the spring of 2022.
“Nature’s Grace is committed to not only furthering education regarding the blossoming cannabis industry within our community, but also assisting SRC with preparing students for a multitude of employment opportunities within this fast-growing segment,” said Tim O’Hern, who is one of the owners and serves as the chief operating officer and general counsel for the business. Their cultivation and production facility located near Vermont, IL. currently employs over 180 individuals across a wide variety of skill sets and disciplines.
The workshops will cover the history of the cannabis plant, basic cultivation and harvesting techniques, the difference between CBD and THC, benefits of using CBD products, and professions in the fast-growing cannabis industry. They are scheduled as follows:
October 21: SRC Rushville Center, 706 Maple Ave, 6-8pm
October 26: SRC Canton Campus, Centers Lower Level, 23235 N County 22, 6-8pm
November 4: SRC Havana Center, 324 E Randolph, 6-8pm
November 9: SRC Macomb Outreach Center, 2500 E Jackson, 6-8pm
The program is being presented by Thomas Vogel, SRC biology faculty member whose area of expertise is plant anatomy and physiology, propagation, genetics and evolution, Cannabis sativa and science education.
Joining Vogel will be special guest speakers from Nature’s Grace and Wellness, Stoney Branch Ag Ventures, local dispensaries, and CBD stores.
“The SRC Office of Community Outreach is excited about the opportunity to provide training for such a growing industry,” said Velvet Powell, director of Community Outreach at Spoon River College. “We look forward to working with Nature’s Grace and other local cannabis producers and businesses.”
There is no fee to attend the workshops, but advance registration is required. A light meal is included beginning at 5:45 p.m. Registration can be done online at https://src.augusoft.net or by calling the Macomb Office of Community Outreach at 309-833-6031.
