Master of Business Administration Concentration: Cannabis Commercialization
Master of Business Administration Concentration: Cannabis Commercialization
Cannabis Commercialization Concentration in Rowan's MBA
Join one of the most flexible and customizable MBA programs in the country to hone your skills in specific targeted areas of business – or explore building knowledge across sectors – to expand your insights and set yourself apart from the competition.
An MBA Concentration in Cannabis Commercialization is an ideal option for those that want to expand their career options in or adjacent to the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. The rapidly evolving cannabis industry is anticipated to become a multi-billion dollar economic driver across the USA - and beyond. Career opportunities related to cannabis are vast, and cross-over talent is in high demand. Plant-touching verticals such as cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, and/or retail need experts from other industries to adapt, extend, and expand best practices into the highly regulated cannabis market. There is strong and growing demand for ancillary businesses complementing and serving the cannabis industry, with potential career pathways in services such as accounting and tax, finance and banking, data analysis, marketing and branding, supply chain, and human resources.
Whether you are drawn to Plant Touching or Ancillary Cannabis Business career pathways - or want to explore options in both categories - you can tailor the Cannabis Commercialization Concentration to support your career goals.
MBA Curriculum Requirements and Options
All Rowan MBA students pursue the same 18 credits to satisfy core requirements of the 36-credit curriculum. Rowan MBA students also enjoy the freedom of customizing 18 credits to meet career pursuits. The flexible, customized 18 credits are pursued via six 3-credit courses: two areas of Concentration or one area of Concentration and three elective courses.
Rowan MBA students can choose two related Concentrations to build significant depth, two distinct Concentrations to build breadth, or even choose one Concentration and three elective courses across disciplines to gain a wide view from varying perspectives.
Cannabis Commercialization Concentration Coursework
Rowan MBA students select 3 courses (9 credits) to satisfy pursuit of a Cannabis Commercialization Concentration. Two courses are required: Evolution of the Cannabis Industry and Business Model Innovation in Cannabis. One elective course is chosen to tailor toward achieving your career goals. The same set of courses can be used for the Cannabis Commercialization Graduate Certificate (COGS), which can be used as a stackable credential toward earning an MBA with a Cannabis Commercialization Concentration. See below for details on required and elective courses, and click on course titles to review descriptions.
Required Core Coursework - Course codes, Titles and Descriptions
ENT 06520 - Evolution of the Cannabis Industry (3 s.h./credits) – Fall 2022 Online
ENT 06520 - Evolution of the Cannabis Industry (3 s.h./credits) – Fall 2022 Online
This industry analysis course forces students to develop a deep understanding of the cannabis industry, its history, competitive dynamics, opportunities for innovation, and the current business landscape. A historical overview will address the origins of cannabis, 19th century legal uses, early prohibition, counterculture, the war on drugs, state medical legalization, new approaches to adult use, and current and potential future federal laws. An overview of the cannabis plant will review hemp vs. marijuana as well as products, ingestion methods, and the Endocannabinoid system. An overview of laws and regulations will include federal vs. state vs. local, complexities in the system, and provisions relating to medical vs. adult use (recreational). Social equity will be focused on from perspectives including the lasting effects of the war on drugs, reinvesting in communities disproportionately impacted, and racial and social justice. Key points on cultivation will be reviewed such as plant science, facilities, financials, and regulatory compliance. Definitions and examples of business types in categories of plant-touching vs. ancillary will be addressed. Drivers of demand will be examined such as medical and adult (recreational) use, health and wellness, current and projected demographics, and genetics of plant strains. Analysis of the economics of cannabis will be analyzed including markets across the industry, potential economic impact, public policy implications, and financial barriers to entry. Considerations for retail in cannabis will include products, in-store experiences, in person retail and tech-based platforms for ordering and delivery, and social consumption via lounges, concerts, and other public venues.
ENT 06521 - Business Model Innovation in Cannabis (3 s.h./credits) – Spring 2023 Online
ENT 06521 - Business Model Innovation in Cannabis (3 s.h./credits) – Spring 2023 Online
Students in this course will explore business model innovations that are applicable across industries, and will also delve into concepts and constructs that are unique to the highly regulated and rapidly evolving cannabis industry. In exploring contemporary business models and corporate structure, students will learn about common patterns and how to systematically understand, design, and implement a game-changing business model--or analyze and renovate an old one. Key elements for business model innovation across all industries to be analyzed include customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partners, and cost structure. Student will learn how to identify, create, and deliver value for existing and future customers, as well as extract value for a corporate venture in a sustainable manner. Fundamentals of new venture financing will be considered, such as capital structures for new ventures (e.g. debt vs. equity), term sheets and how to negotiate them, and early-stage vs. later-stage financing. Cannabis-specific business model implications will be explored in depth as well. This includes trademarks and IP, marketing and branding, multi-state operators (MSOs) vs. standalone businesses, challenges and benefits of vertical integration, costs for licensing and compliance, and rules and regulations regarding plant-touching vs. ancillary business. Students will also learn about the most challenging financial hurdles for plant-touching cannabis entrepreneurs and operators: banking (given that most national institutions are not willing to support due to federal illegality) and IRS 280E Tax Code (no deductions or credits are allowed for federally controlled substances).
Cannabis Commercialization Concentration Elective Coursework
Choose one Elective from the following options (3 credits):
The Cannabis Commercialization Concentration approaches the cannabis industry from an interdisciplinary perspective. Given the critical connections to the sciences and social causes, each student has the opportunity to choose one elective course to align with their own specific interests and career goals related to the cannabis industry. While some of the elective options focus directly on cannabis, other courses explore concepts and knowledge bases that are relevant to and in-demand for the cannabis industry.
Cannabis-focused Elective Coursework
CANN 03501 - Cannabis Legislation, Regulations, and Policy Evaluation
CANN 03501 - Cannabis Legislation, Regulations, and Policy Evaluation (3 s.h.)
This course will examine the legislative, regulatory, and policy landscapes for the cultivation, manufacture, and retail sale of cannabis in the legal market. While an emphasis will be on New Jersey regulations, statutes, and policies, students will also gain a clear understanding of federal policies, laws and regulations that govern the legal cannabis industry, and how these policies impact compliance. Furthermore, the medicinal use of cannabis, public safety, and how the various policies interact and impact institutions, workplaces, and social equity will be explored. Additionally, various federal, state, local and industry-wide cannabis compliance topics will be outlined and discussed in this course.
CANN 03502 - Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalization in Work, Leisure, and Settings
CANN 03502 - Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalization in Work, Leisure, and Settings (3 s.h.)
The problems, nature, and effects of cannabis legalization and/or decriminalization within and across workplace settings and institutions such as families, leisure facilities, schools/higher education institutions, health care facilities/hospitals, transportation hubs, police departments, jails, and prisons will be explored. The course will emphasize the use of cannabis in social and institutional contexts, the legal implications of cannabis use within institutions, and approaches for counteracting and avoiding cannabis use including, community and testing programs, and policies will be examined. Social control and programmatic approaches in the context of promoting a safe and productive environment and a part of regulatory compliance will be discussed.
CANN 03503 - Cannabis Research, Program Evaluation, and Policy Development
CANN 03503 - Cannabis Research, Program Evaluation, and Policy Development (3 s.h.)
This course offers an applied approach to systematically collect and analyze data on the performance of programs and policies with a focus on determining whether a particular program or policy is achieving its goals. In this course, students will examine evaluation designs to better understand different programmatic and research assumptions to assist in program development and policymaking in the field of cannabis and the cannabis industry.
CHEM 09530 - Advanced Chemical Analysis of Cannabinoids
CHEM 09530 - Advanced Chemical Analysis of Cannabinoids (3 s.h.)
This course is an introduction to the various aspects of chemical analysis that are used for the characterization of cannabinoid content in a variety of natural and commercial products. The focus will be on extraction, spectroscopic (including IR, UV/Vis, and mass spectrometry), and chromatographic techniques (gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, preparative chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography), specifically related to their use for cannabinoid analysis, residual solvent measurements, and pesticide detection. For RCB students seeking the MBA Concentration or COGS in Cannabis - this course will require you to complete a “self-directed bootcamp” with approximately 10 hours of advance work so that you are prepared with an appropriate foundation prior to beginning the course; you will be provided with appropriate material for review (e.g., readings, videos, audio files, etc.) but you must commit to pursuing this content independently (e.g. no faculty oversight or feedback).
Complementary Elective Coursework
CJ 09529 - Community Justice
CJ 09529 - Community Justice (3 s.h.)
This course will examine how the community can work with police, courts, and correctional agencies to prevent crime and rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders. It will examine the effect on implementing community programs of the organizational environment and effective recruitment, screening, and training of community members. Techniques such as participatory management, collaboration, problem solving, and mediation will be examined. Students also will learn to critically assess and design evaluations of community programs.
CJ 09532 - Race, Ethnicity, Class and Justice
CJ 09532 - Race, Ethnicity, Class, and Justice (3 s.h.)
This graduate course will include an in-depth study of race, ethnicity and class, and their evolving impact upon the U.S. criminal justice system, as well as the system's impact on minorities, the poor, and their communities. A major focus of this course will be a critical examination and analysis of how race, ethnicity, and class have impacted the nature, content, and quality of justice that is rendered within the nation. One major purpose of our study is to provide students with an opportunity to gain sophisticated understanding of the inequities that minorities experience within our system of justice and in the wider community. Students will learn to critically assess significant research concerning race, ethnicity and class and the criminal justice system, and understand the practical applications of this research.
DA 02510 - Visual Analytics
DA 02510 - Visual Analytics (3 s.h.)
DI 68501 - Intro to Diversity and Inclusion
DI 68501 - Intro to Diversity and Inclusion (3 s.h.)
This course will introduce students to the study of Diversity and Inclusion and the concepts of inclusion and exclusion through critically examining ascribed statuses, the roots and intractability of the exclusion of groups cast as subordinated, the concepts of privilege and disprivilege, and the different realities at the intersections of multiple minority group statuses. The course will prepare students to become change agents, able to contribute to the deinstitutionalizing of the "isms" in their educational, employment, and social network environments.
ENT 06505 - Entrepreneurship & Innovation
ENT 06505 - Entrepreneurship & Innovation (3 s.h.)
This course provides a broad framework for understanding the nature of entrepreneurship in multiple organizational settings. The course introduces students to the innovation and idea generation process and helps students apply an alternative way of "thinking" to assist in solving difficult issues for government, business, and the non-profit sector.
ENT 06601 - Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing for Change
ENT 06601 - Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing for Change (3 s.h.)
This course presents an overview of social entrepreneurship through the lens of effective altruism. Students will learn at a global level and how to approach and solve some of society's biggest challenges, as framed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Topics include defining and evaluating impact, building sustainable and scalable business models, and challenges including poverty, healthcare, childcare, disaster relief, sweatshops, and more.
FIN 04512 - Capital Budgeting
FIN 04512 - Capital Budgeting (3 s.h.)
HIST 05519 - Political and Social Movements in the U.S.
HIST 05519 - Political and Social Movements in the U.S. (3 s.h.)
MGT 06530 - Sustainable Commerce
MGT 06530 - Sustainable Commerce (3 s.h.)
MGT 06531 - Sustainability Assessment
MGT 06531 - Sustainability Assessment (3 s.h.)
MGT 06532 - Strategic Planning for Operating Managers
MGT 06532 - Strategic Planning for Operating Managers (3 s.h.)
This course prepares the operating manager for the responsibilities of performing strategic planning. The course will identify what goes into and how strategic planning is performed. Strategy formation and evaluation will be assisted by computer decision models and management games. The interrelationships of organizational units and pro-active management posture with respect to environmental forces will be stressed.
MGT 06532 - Topics in Sustainability Innovation and Problem Solving
MGT 06532 - Topics in Sustainability Innovation and Problem Solving (3 s.h.)
MGT 07600 - Predictive Analytics
MGT 07600 - Predictive Analytics (3 s.h.)
MKT 09575 - Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain Management
MKT 09575 - Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain Management (3 s.h.)
The course is a basic introduction to the field of logistics and supply chain management, including both defense logistics and commercial supply chain management. The objective of the course is to provide students a solid awareness and understanding of the processes and functions that comprise a supply chain. Students are required to complete a term project to demonstrate their understanding of logistics and supply chain issues. Case analysis and hands-on experience in this class will offer students the opportunity to broaden their horizon on the critical roles that the supply chain plays in this globalized and interdependent world.

Rowan University's Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, & Workforce Development
The Rowan University Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, & Workforce Development (RPWD) is a multi-disciplinary institute that provides expertise and guidance for policymakers, health care professionals, pharmaceutical industries, government agencies, and businesses as it relates to the legalization of cannabis.
The Institute (RPWD) has 3 areas of focus:
- Center for Cannabinoid Science & Therapeutics
- Socio-Behavioral, Security and Law Enforcement Cannabis Center
- Center for Workforce Development

Fostering cross-campus creativity, Rowan launches new School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Continuing a decades-long trend of expanding student opportunities, Rowan University has launched in 2022 the School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship within the Rohrer College of Business as an entity to further opportunities for professional start-ups and a cross-campus entrepreneurial mindset. The school is the first of its kind in NJ and one of just a few university-based schools of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. All Cannabis curriculum offerings in Business will be housed in the School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Interested in learning more about the MBA Concentration in Cannabis Commercialization? Please send us an email at GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu with any questions you may have.
We look forward to welcoming you into the Rowan MBA!
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Cannabis Career Paths - Business Edition
The rapidly evolving cannabis industry is projected to continue swift growth and expansion, career opportunities related to cannabis are vast, and cross-over talent is in high demand. What are some of the areas anticipated for the strongest growth, which types of roles and talent are most in demand by employers, and how can job candidates land ideal opportunities?
The Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University is partnering with thought leaders to share insights on what the highly regulated cannabis industry needs most from talent with business education, experience, and knowledge in this fast growing sector.
Join this upcoming webinar on June 21st, 2022 at 5pm. We will begin with moderated questions, then our panel of cannabis professionals will take questions from the audience.