CANNABIS & HEMP PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

13 WEEKS ONLINE, PART TIME

Starts 17th March 2026
Build real-world industry expertise - without leaving your job or relocating

Course Overview

Discover the science, business and future of Cannabis and Hemp.

This comprehensive online Cannabis & Hemp Professional Certificate is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, cultivators, professionals and anyone else eager to gain a complete understanding of the Cannabis and hemp industries — from cultivation and processing to medical Cannabis, industrial hemp and business opportunities in both industries.

Delivered online and part-time through engaging self-study content, lecture-led Zoom sessions, pre-recorded video lectures and peer to peer sessions, this certificate empowers you to grow your expertise while balancing your personal and professional commitments.

The course is not a short course or a generic online programme but a facilitated, cohort-based Professional Certificate through the only higher education accredited Cannabis and Hemp Institution in Africa. With markets expanding across Africa and internationally, credible education has become a competitive advantage. This course positions you ahead of the curve.

Designed for working professionals and global citizens the course is fully online, but for anyone wanting to take this experience to the next level we offer an optional, in-person, 2-day Industry Immersion either in Cape Town or Johannesburg at an additional cost.

2026 Fees:
Upfront: R18,500
3-instalments: R21,000 (R3,000 deposit & 3 x R6,000)

Delivery Method:
Fully online including
- Online self-study modules (recorded lectures, readings, and assignments)
- Live Zoom lectures with global experts
- Live working sessions focused on real-world application
- Interactive Q & A sessions
- Live interviews with industry professionals
- Facilitated cohort discussions and community sessions

Course duration:
+/- 80 hours over 13 weeks

Accreditation:
This course is an unaccredited short course that is strongly industry-aligned, which in a fast-moving sector is highly valuable. We prioritise practical, up-to-date and compliance-ready skills. As an accredited institution, we apply the same high academic and quality standards to this programme, ensuring it remains rigorous, credible and directly relevant to the real cannabis and hemp industry. Our Medical content is accredited in several USA states by our Medical Cannabis partner Medical Marijuana 411.

Minimum entry requirements:
Grade 12 / over 18 years old

Course fee includes:
All self-study content
All lecture-led Zoom lessons
All pre-recorded lessons
Certificate of Completion

Course fee does not include:
Optional in-Person Immersion (see below)

Intake dates for 2026:
17th March 2026
15th Sept 2026

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Course Modules

CANNABIS CULTIVATION & PROCESSING

The Botany of the Cannabis Plant
The Chemistry of the Cannabis Plant
Seeds: Genetics & Strain Selection
Indoor & Outdoor Growing
Companion Planting
The Growing Stages of Cannabis
Growing Methods & Mediums
Maintenance Techniques
Cloning Cannabis
Maximising Quality & Yields
Nutrients: Deficiencies and Excesses
Stress and Diseases
Fungi and Bacteria
Trichomes and the Cannabis Maturity Index
Harvesting Techniques
Curing and Storing Methods
Scaling up - Commercial Cultivation
Extraction
Testing

CANNABIS AND HEMP
BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS

Cannabis Industry Structure & Value Chain
Cannabis & Hemp legal and regulatory environment including a global perspective
Cannabis Outlets
Marketing in the Cannabis & Hemp Industry
Cannabis as a Lifestyle
Industrial Hemp Industry Value Chain, product development& commercialisation
Quality Assurance & Compliance
Global Markets & Off-Takes
A Business Plan for a Cannabis & Hemp Venture

MEDICAL CANNABIS

History & Legal Landscape
The Endocannabinoid System
Cannabinoids and Terpenes
Delivery Methods
Dosing
Clinical Practice
Opioids
Myths
Side Effects, Abuse, Misuse

HEMP CULTIVATION & PROCESSING AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Hemp:
Genetics & Seed Selection
Soil Health
Irrigation & Fertigation Methods
Farming Machinery & Equipment
Agri-Climatic Conditions
Planting for different purposes
Harvesting
Post harvest processing

Sustainable Farming:
Permaculture
Future Farming

2-day Industry Immersion

(optional)

IMMERSION OVERVIEW

What better way to conclude your Cannabis & Hemp Professional Certificate than with a 2-day immersive tour of Cannabis businesses to see what you have learnt in real life.

The industry immersions are offered in Cape Town or Johannesburg and require a minimum of 10 attendees to be run.

Participating in the immersion is optional and not required to complete the certificate.

Cost: R6,700

Includes:
- Transport for the 2-day Industry Immersion
- Visit to a SAHPRA licensed farm, Cannabis nursery, extraction company and several other Cannabis businesses

Excludes:
- Travel to and from the Immersion
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Travel Insurance
- Visas

Requirements:
- Attendees must be 18 years old
- Minimum of 10 attendees per Immersion required