Get a Master’s in marijuana growing through Greenline Academy

Before you rush to sign up for this weekend's medical marijuana seminar at the University of British Columbia, it's important to note that class materials do not include an actual joint.

The aptly named Greenline Academy wants to position itself as the country's leading school on medical marijuana, a place where people can sign up to learn about the legal requirements involved in growing the Cannabis sativa plant for healthcare purposes.

One thing it is not, founder Don Schultz stresses, is just another excuse to get high.

"They are there to learn. It's not a pot party, it's to do with education," he told The Province.

"I just deal in paper. I don't deal in narcotics," he added.

Schultz started his academy in April 2011 with the idea that the country needed a place where individuals could learn the intricacies of the medical marijuana industry.

Though he dabbled in aviation and real estate, Schultz's interest in naturopathic medicine led him to a legal Colorado grow-op two years ago.

From there, he went to Greenway University to earn the equivalent of an MBA in medical marijuana business administration and was granted state certification to cultivate the plant.

It's this educational foundation that Schultz wants to establish here in Canada. He plans to house his Kelowna-based school between four brick walls in time for the start of fall semester.

In the meantime, Schultz told the paper more than 1,300 people — everyone from medical practitioners to lawyers and accountants — have passed through his multi-city seminars.

For $330, attendees wade through topics with names like cannabis therapeutics and legal aspects of medical marijuana. A master grower offers tips on how to perfectly harvest the crop.

Though unconventional, Schultz's seminar is far from the strangest course offered at an institution of higher learning.

With all the grisly zombie-like behaviour making headlines over the past few weeks, the University of Baltimore's Zombie 101 class may experience an uptick in attendance from students who wish to prepare themselves for an invasion of the undead.

Or if you're more of a Harry Potter fan, Oregon State University offers freshmen an orientation class designed to "explore leadership education through the framework" of the popular series.

And just in case you don't know how to properly worship college football, Ohio State has a popular Sport for the Spectator course that teaches you the basics of how to be a sports fan.