UMD Graduates First Class of Students With Masters in Medical Cannabis – NBC4 Washington

The University of Maryland completed its first grade in May in a masters program studying medical marijuana.

Some graduates, like veteran Catrena Almnote, are now using their new degrees to help others address mental health issues.

Almonte said she was having difficulty transitioning from serving in the Navy and as a military chaplain in the Army National Guard to studying medical cannabis.

“The military’s stance is zero tolerance,” said Almonte. “It was really very difficult for me to dig into this concept, but it was good for me to find this program because this program really allowed me to see cannabis from all these perspectives.”

With her new degree, Almonte recently completed the manuscript for a book on cannabis. She is also working on a pilot for a television series about cannabis ecotourism.

Almonte received her Masters in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The program is the first graduate college of its kind nationwide. Leah Sera, the program’s director, said the program will focus on the pharmacology and pharmacy-related issues of cannabis medicine.

“We also provide training on what we know about the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant, and we introduce students to the many different policies and regulations related to medicinal cannabis,” said Sera.

The program focuses on patient care rather than cannabis cultivation. Classes are held online with an annual in-person symposium at the Universities in Shady Grove through the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

This degree could be for a healthcare professional looking for more training in medical cannabis or someone interested in working in a laboratory to improve the quality of medical cannabis. It could also be for someone who wants to develop appropriate government policy.

“We’re making the courses accessible to students who may not have taken a chemistry class since high school,” Sera said. “But we also make it interesting for our students who are already chemists or pharmacists.”

In the fall, Almonte plans to earn her PhD in clinical psychology to learn more about working in cannabinoid therapy for veterans with PTSD.

“I started this thing with a passion for veterans and wanted to understand PTSD,” said Almonte. “After all, after I’m done with this, I want to be able to offer my veterans, my peers, cannabinoid therapy as well as other therapies and effective treatment modalities.”