Overview
Please note the Science of Cannabis Program will be paused, starting Fall 2024.
No new students will be accepted into the program after winter 2024. Current students, please complete SCC 102 Winter 2024 and SCC 103 Spring 2024. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us at cannabis@mcmaster.ca.
Learn how cannabis works and how it affects those who consume it
The impact of cannabis legalization in Canada has had an effect on law enforcement, education, transportation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and legal services. The Science of Cannabis program is designed to prepare students to be critical thinkers about medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis.
- Developed in partnership with the Peter Boris Centre for Addiction Research, the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and McMaster Continuing Education
- Learn the fundamentals of cannabis, how it works and how it affects users
- Gain in-demand knowledge and skills pertaining to therapeutic applications, as well as the potential risks of cannabis misuse
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Program highlights Learn More
- Discuss current cannabis research
- Current and relevant content covering emerging trends
- Earn a Certificate of Professional Learning
The Science of Cannabis program features:
- Learn from a combination of expert talks, case studies, facilitated group discussions and group work
- Convenient online platform led by industry experts and researchers
- Connect with professional peers across various disciplines
What you'll learn Learn More
- Fundamental knowledge of the science behind cannabis
- Cannabis use for treating medical conditions
- Guidelines for reducing risk with cannabis consumption
Through The Science of Cannabis program, you’ll learn to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the nature of cannabis plants, the therapeutic applications of cannabis and the risks associated with cannabis use
- Identify the different plant species and diverse botanical constituents comprising the cannabis genus
- Articulate the fundamentals of the endocannabinoid system and its relationship to other major neurotransmitter systems in the brain
- Describe the historical evolution of cannabis use and the shifting regulatory frameworks
- Explain psychiatric nosology, the nature of cannabis use disorder, and other psychiatric disorders that are associated with cannabis
- Evaluate the links between cannabis use and accidental injury/death, lung disease, psychotic disorders, abnormal brain development, and diminished lifetime achievement
- Describe the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) for evaluating the evidence basis of medical interventions
- Apply the GRADE system for evaluating the evidence basis for the use of cannabis for treating a medical condition
- Identify the medical conditions for which cannabis may have a curative or palliative role
- Critique the cost-benefit ratio for cannabis in the context of its therapeutic effects and adverse side effects
Learn more about the The Science of Cannabis program
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
- Researchers
- Social Workers
- Counsellors
- Therapists
- Teachers
- Police Officers
- First Responders
Earning a Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis will expand skill sets and benefit professionals from the following areas:
- Healthcare
- Social Services
- Private Sector
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the nature of the cannabisi plants, the therapeutic applications of cannabis, and the risks associated with cannabis.
- Identify the different plant species and diverse botanical constituents comprising the cannabis genus
- Articulate the fundamentals of the endocannabinoid system and its relationship to other major neurotransmitter systems in the brain
- Describe the historical evolution of cannabis use and the shifting regulatory frameworks
- Explain psychiatric nosology, the nature of cannabis use disorder, and other psychiatric disorders that are associated with cannabis
- Evaluate the links between cannabis use and accidental injury/death, lung disease, psychotic disorders, abnormal brain development, and diminished lifetime achievement
- Describe the GRADE system for evaluating the evidence basis of medical interventions
- Apply the GRADE system for evaluating the evidence basis for the use of cannabis for treating a medical condition
- Identify the medical conditions for which cannabis may have a curative or palliative role
- Critique the cost-benefit ratio for cannabis in the context of its therapeutic effects and adverse (side) effects
Are you a current McMaster University undergraduate student?
Explore the ElevateYourSkills option to learn how you can earn The Science of Cannabis certificate as part of your degree.
- Use your electives to earn a professional certificate or diploma
- Fully online courses that you can fit into your schedule
- Providing you with real-life career skills and experience before you graduate
Check out our latest Health Program Preview webinar to explore The Science of Cannabis program
What our recent graduates say
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
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Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis
Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis
Advance your skills with a Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis
Earn the Certificate of Professional Learning in The Science of Cannabis by completing all three courses listed
Courses (complete all 3)
Click on the below videos to learn more about The Science of Cannabis program:
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The Science of Cannabis – Program Overview Learn More
Dr. James MacKillop, Director of the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, and Director of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis, oversees the course development for the Science of Cannabis program and provides a comprehensive overview of what participants can expect to learn.
The Science of Cannabis – Program Overview
Fundamentals of Cannabis Science – Course: SCC 101 Learn More
Dr. Michael Amlung discusess the importance of a well-rounded approach to understanding the chemistry and biology of cannabis.
Fundamentals of Cannabis Science – Course: SCC 101
Risks and Harms of Cannabis – Course: SCC 102 Learn More
Dr. Iris Balodis discusess how the course will review possible risks, harms, side effects and potential benefits of cannabis use and misuse.
Risks and Harms of Cannabis – Course: SCC 102
Therapeutic Applications of Cannabis – Course: SCC 103 Learn More
Dr. Jason Busse discusess how to separate fact from fiction with regard to what therapeutic benefits cannabis can provide patients and how clinicians can better understand the research.
Therapeutic Applications of Cannabis – Course: SCC 103
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The Science of Cannabis Schedule
The Science of Cannabis Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July.
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page. All times listed below are in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
Course Name (Course Code) | Cost | Units | Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring/Summer 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fundamentals of Cannabis Science (SCC 101) | - | - | Currently Not Available | ||
Therapeutic Applications of Cannabis (SCC 102) | - | - | Currently Not Available | ||
Risks and Harms of Cannabis (SCC 103) | - | - | Currently Not Available |
The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.
To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:
- Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
- Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University or
- Be deemed an exceptional case
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, you must meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements. Completion of TOEFL exam with a minimum acceptable score of 20 on each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening), valid for 2 years.
Expandable List
- Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
- Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
- Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
- Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
- Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
- As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
- Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
- Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
- Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)
A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.
For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.
- Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
- Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
- Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
- Google Pay is available for faster checkout
- Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
Ready to get started?
Visit the Schedule tab to select your course and proceed with the registration steps.