German cannabis legalization legislation went into effect in 2024. Education in cannabis horticulture has begun. Erfurt University of Applied Sciences has an elective module in the bachelor’s program in Horticultural Crop Production.
Students cycle through several modules building toward hands-on trials (greenhouse and field) with THC-free industrial hemp during the third semester. Students take foundational horticulture courses in biology, chemistry, and economics. Students also take specialized cannabis modules in breeding, propagation, cultivation systems, production chains, and even marketing.
The program promotes scientific research into cultivation systems, aiming to revive hemp science through collaborations with external institutions and industry partners. Students complete a full-term practical placement, applying theoretical principles to real horticultural or hemp production environments.
The program avoids psychoactive strains, sticking to industrial hemp with THC < 0.2%, which bypasses regulatory limitations. Rising interest in medicinal and industrial hemp drives demand for trained professionals. While Germany partially legalized cannabis in 2024, the university currently lacks permission to cultivate hemp on campus due to pending legislative details. Off campus partnerships allow students to gain valuable experience.
Author June Mclaughlin
