If you think it’s only a matter of time before medicinal marijuana is legal, you might want to consider training to become a medical marijuana farmer. A new trade school in Oakland, California recently opened to prepare people for jobs in California’s thriving medical marijuana industry. For $200 and a few required textbooks Oaksterdam University will teach you everything you need to know.

Students will learn to cultivate cannabis and study what strains of marijuana are best for what ailments. They will learn the history of medicinal marijuana. Students learn what equipment is needed to start growing pot. They learn to prune and harvest plants. Needed nutrients, hydroponics, and soil-free gardening are also covered. They are also instructed of the legalities involved for a business that is illegal in the eyes of the federal government.

So far, 60 people have completed the two-day course. Classes are sold out through May. The classes attract a wide variety of students – botanists, political activists, and entrepreneurs, to name a few. Their reasons for enrolling are as varied as they are. Some are curious, some want tips for growing their own medical marijuana, and some are looking to start grow operations.

Entry-level workers in this industry are paid a little more than minimum wage. “Bud tenders” can make over $50,000 a year. Owners and top managers can make more than $100,000. Keep in mind that everyone who works in the industry carries a certain amount of legal risk.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is aware of Oaksterdam University, but don’t aren’t in any hurry to shut it down. Talking about growing marijuana is not illegal. It is true that a small amount of marijuana is kept on the premises, but the DEA has concentrated their focus elsewhere.

California was the first state that legalized marijuana use for patients with a doctor’s recommendation. Despite periodic raids by the DEA and numerous threats of prosecution, clubs and cooperatives where customers can purchase the drug have increased. Other states have acknowledged that medical marijuana does have medicinal uses. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, Nevada and Washington all have medical marijuana laws. Each state has different laws about growing marijuana and the number of plants that are legal to own. The guidelines may be different in counties within the same state. For patients that can’t grow their own plants, a “Designated Primary Caregiver” can be assigned to do it for them in some areas. Some states require that you have a state license to grow medicinal marijuana.

If your state is one that has legalized medical marijuana, make sure you know everything about the laws governing it before choosing a career in medicinal marijuana farming. If your state has not legalized medicinal marijuana and you would like to see this change, contact your elected officials and let them know how you feel.

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