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by Lea Holz
Florida Gulf Coast University has been an established institution of the Fort Myers area for nearly 22 years– and in the Fall of 2018, they are planting seeds to grow in a new direction. In August of 2018, Dr. Martha Rosenthal and Professor Sam Walch teamed up to teach FGCU’s first course on cannabis, entitled WEED: Marijuana’s Impact on American Life. As the first of its kind to debut in the state of Florida, this course will be one of many offered under FGCU’s new Cannabis Pathway under the Integrated Studies program. The curriculum, currently being written by Dr. Martha, will offer education and internship opportunities to FGCU students interested in perusing a career in the US’s booming cannabis industry. This pathway hopes to set students on the right track for entering the fast-paced and multidimensional world of weed, arming them with the guidance and first-hand experience necessary to become informed and successful future industry leaders. 19
