Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management - NQF 5 / 120 Credits 

We are proud to announce Africa’s first fully accredited Higher Education qualification in the Cannabis sector—a revolutionary milestone for the industry.

This achievement marks the culmination of years of dedicated effort, navigating the challenges of a nascent industry and overcoming a lack of understanding about the sector's immense potential.

Our 1-year Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management is designed to equip you with everything you need to launch a successful career in the Cannabis industry. This program is more than just a qualification—it’s a gateway to a thriving sector poised for exponential growth.

No other Cannabis program in the world delves into the breadth and depth of topics that this course covers.
Beyond theoretical knowledge, the program integrates daily practical sessions and immersive industry tours, providing unparalleled hands-on experience.The curriculum is robust, covering essential topics that prepare students for real-world applications.

This is not just a course—it’s a transformative step forward, empowering individuals to shape the future of Cannabis in Africa and beyond. In a world where mechanisation and AI is having an impact on career paths and job opportunities,  sunrise industries like the Cannabis industry are more important than ever.  

Get ahead, get employed and join us as we lead the way in building a vibrant, sustainable industry!

Modules:
-Medical Cannabis
-Plant Botany and an Introduction to Cultivation
-Cultivation Management and Techniques
-Commercial Cultivation
-Cannabusiness
-Sustainability and Wellness
- New Sustainable Farming Methods 

The course includes daily practicals and industry excursions.

LANGUAGE:
English

START DATE:
March 2025

DELIVERY METHOD:
In person - full time:
NQF Level 5 (120 credits)
Cheeba Cannabis Academy Campus, Rivonia, Johannesburg  

COST:
- R84 000 per person
- Instalments available on request, subject to credit     
   checks
- Recommend a friend and get a 10% discount  

Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management Admission Requirements:

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

- Individuals older than 18 years at the course start date who have a Grade 12 (National Senior Certificate / Matric) or equivalent academic learning of an NQF 4 (including vocational certificates) qualification, or higher.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

- Aspiring Cannabis professionals: Individuals eager to enter the growing Cannabis industry with foundational 
   knowledge and practical skills.
- Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Those seeking to launch or scale businesses in Cannabis or related sectors.
- Agriculture and Horticulture Enthusiasts: People passionate about sustainable farming and innovative cultivation
   methods.
- Career Changers and Students: Professionals and learners exploring new opportunities in a dynamic, fast-
   evolving industry.

Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management
Course Outline:

1. Medical Cannabis (01 MedCan)
-An Ancient Plant for Modern Illnesses
-Legal Landscape
-The Endocannabinoid System
-Cannabinoids and Terpenes
-Clinical Practice
-Delivery Systems for Cannabis
-Dosing
-Medical Myth and Fact
-Cannabis and Opioids
-Case Studies (country / illness specific)

2. Plant Botany and an Introduction to Cultivation (02 CannaBotCult)
-Plant Botany
-The Chemistry of the Cannabis Plant
-Seeds: Genetics and Strain Selection
-The Growing Stages of Cannabis
-Companion Planting
-Indoor and Outdoor Growing
-Growing Practical

3.Cultivation Management and Techniques (03 CannaCultMgtTech)
-Growing Methods & Mediums
-Nutrients: Deficiencies and Excesses
-Stress and Diseases
-Fungi and Bacteria
-Cloning Cannabis
-Maintenance Techniques
-Maximising Quality and Yields
-Trichomes and the Cannabis Maturity Index
-Harvesting Techniques
-Curing and Storing Methods
-Growing Practicals

4. Commercial cultivation (04 CommCult)
-Site selection
-Infrastructure and equipment
-Capacity
-Environmental
-Water
-Farming financials
-Compliance
-Growing style
-Growing mediums
-Nutrients
-Source materials (Seeds, clones)
-Automation
-Facilities
-Manipulation
-Sustainability

5. Cannabusiness (05 CannaBus)
-Industry Structure and Value Chain-Supply Chain Management
-An Introduction to Entrepreneurship
-Cannabis Clubs and Dispensaries
-Project Management
-Cannabis Industry Roles and Recruitment
-Compliance and Regulation
-Testing
-Extraction
-Legal
-Industrial Farming and Scaling Up
-The Principles of Marketing
-Marketing for the Cannabis Industry
-Industrial Hemp
-Starting Your Own Cannabis Business (Bus plans, budgets)

6. Sustainability and Wellness (06 SusWell)
-Soil Science
-Mindfulness
-Health and Nutrition
-Food as Medicine (Indigenous Plant Medicine)
-Cooking with Cannabis
-Food Security
-An Introduction to Psilocybin and New Age Medicines
-An Introduction to Futurism

7. New Sustainable Farming Methods (07 SusFarmMeth)
-Introduction to Permaculture
-Introduction to Hydroponics
-Introduction to Aquaponics
-Organic Growing

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES:

MEDCIAL CANNABIS:
Graduates will be able to apply comprehensive knowledge of the legal and therapeutic aspects of medical Cannabis to support medical cannabis patients by providing education and guidance on product options, methods of consumptions, ensuring compliance and safety and connecting them with healthcare providers to enable patients to optimise their treatment outcomes.

PLANT BOTANY & AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTIVATION
Graduates will be able to identify and explain the roles of different parts of male and female Cannabis plants, understand plant genetics and assess the impact of environmental factors on successful cultivation. They will also apply knowledge of chemotypes, phenotypes and cultivation techniques to grow healthy Cannabis plants from seed to harvest, while evaluating the benefits and challenges of various growing methods.

CULTIVATION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNIQUES
Graduates will possess the skills to identify and evaluate various Cannabis growing methods, select and care for appropriate tools and equipment and manage nutrient needs throughout the plant’s life cycle. They will effectively maintain, clone and protect Cannabis plants, assess plant maturity and implement best practices for harvesting, curing and storing to ensure high-quality yields. Graduates will have comprehensive knowledge for optimising Cannabis cultivation from seed to harvest.

COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION
Graduates will be able to navigate South Africa's Cannabis cultivation regulations, apply financial management principles to sustain commercial operations and critically assess cultivation sites for economic viability. They will also compare cultivation techniques, manage growing conditions and develop sustainable production methods for large-scale Cannabis cultivation.

CANNABUSINESS
Graduates will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Cannabis industry's structure, legal frameworks and licensing requirements across various regions, applying this knowledge to business scenarios. They will also develop expertise in extraction methods, industrial farming and project management, while identifying entrepreneurial opportunities and crafting marketing strategies tailored to the Cannabis supply chain. Additionally, graduates will be equipped to create and present business plans for new Cannabis ventures, ensuring readiness for successful industry participation. 

SUSTAINABILITY & WELLNESS
Graduates will be equipped to assess soil suitability for plant growth, including Cannabis, and develop strategies to enhance soil productivity and food security while minimising environmental impact. They will also gain knowledge in human anatomy, plant-based nutrition, medicinal plants, mindfulness interventions and the pharmacology of psychedelics, while demonstrating practical skills such as Cannabis decarboxylation and an understanding of future trends in technology, health and socio-economic structures.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING METHODS 
Graduates will be proficient in designing and managing sustainable agricultural systems, including permaculture food forests, hydroponic and aquaponic systems and organic farming practices. They will demonstrate the ability to create self-regulating permaculture systems, plan and manage hydroponic greenhouses, design functional aquaponic units and apply organic farming principles to maintain soil fertility and plant health while adhering to South African regulations.

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