Students in Maryland will get the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the marijuana industry.

According to ABC News, Anne Arundel Community College is the first in the U.S. to offer classes on business opportunities in the marijuana business world. Professor Shad Ewart will teach classes at the community college. University of Denver and Oaksterdam University in Oakland, California, will join Anne Arundel in providing the classes for students.

"I almost felt like we were doing a disservice to our students by not having a class like this," Ewart said. "It just seemed to be a topic that was ripe."

The class, "Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Emerging Markets: Marijuana Legalization," examines job creation at an outgrowth of marijuana legalization. The class brings in guest speakers to discuss the deeper aspects of the business process.

Ewart compares learning the inner workings of the industry with the California Gold Rush.

"I like to compare business opportunities associated with marijuana legalization with the success of business that grew out of the Gold Rush," he said. "It wasn't the miners who panned for nuggets who got rich. It was the people who sold them the picks, the shovels, made the blue jeans, opened the banks."

The classes have proven popular with students of all demographics. Men and women from 18 to 64 years old have registered for the class, which officially began for the spring semester on Feb. 2.

According to the school's website, the students will explore the history of marijuana in the United States including controversies and ethical issues, the economic impact of legalization, medical marijuana, legalities and regulatory issues, the demographics of customers as well as the challenges that go along with entering the marijuana market.

Ewart's explanation for going so in-depth with the class is to ensure his students understand the growth potential of the classes.

"The growing part and the dispensing part are going to be the most highly regulated parts of the industry, and the other parts are far much easier," Ewart said. "I mean anyone can sell light bulbs, anyone can sell nutrients, anyone can sell soil."

Related