Univision Files Story on Medgar Evers College Cannabis Minor Degree Program
Univision 41 reporter Luz Jenny Saavedra recently came to Medgar Evers College (MEC) to do a report on the school’s cannabis minor degree program. Saavedra’s report comes on the heels of MEC becoming the first City University of New York (CUNY) campus to offer this specific course load. Saavedra met with Dr. Alicia Reid, chair of the Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department and the faculty lead and founder of the cannabis education program, and student Vikiana Reyes.
In explaining the opportunities provided by the curriculum, Reid shared, “The program’s purpose is to educate students so that they can make their impact on the cannabis industry as employees or owners of their own business.”
The cannabis minor degree program provides educational workforce development and opportunities for economic expansion for students who can earn a degree in one of four different tracks—formulation and testing, cultivation, health and commercialization.
Reid pointed out the stigmas a program like this has to overcome and include the outrage expressed about MEC being a Predominantly Black Institution and bringing something that has been so negatively stigmatized to the college and risk tarnishing MEC’s reputation. For Reid, it is about having a moral responsibility for the constituents the college serves to make sure they are equipped with the tools to be able to differentiate between fact and fiction. And to have the tools to make an educated decision whether they enter this industry or do not enter this industry. And if they choose to [go down this path], they’ll have the tools to equip them to not only enter the industry at an entry-level position, but enter at an executive suite position. And to enter as really educated and ready entrepreneurs and to have an opportunity for generational wealth.
When asked by Saavedra about concerns parents may have that this program may provide a pathway to their children indulging in the product Reyes responded, “What I tell parents is that cannabis is going to be here whether they like it or not. The majority of the people here aren’t thinking about smoking cannabis. They are thinking about how they might be able to get into this industry and change things. This upcoming generation is more concerned about the wealth they’re going to create.”
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