DePaul’s cannabis studies minor is attracting students from a wide range of majors, as interest in the evolving cannabis industry continues to grow.

The program, which launched in 2022, brings together courses from multiple colleges, including the school of business, communication and health sciences, to give students a broader understanding of cannabis from legal, social and scientific perspectives.

“The motivation for creating the minor had to do with the fact that cannabis became legal in the state of Illinois, and multiple colleges saw an opportunity to educate DePaul students,” said Jay Baglia, a professor in the College of Communication who teaches in the program.

As of April, 28 students have declared the minor, with nine already completing it, according to university data.

Interest in cannabis-related coursework has also increased significantly. Enrollment in these classes has grown from 225 students in the 2019-20 academic year to more than 900 in 2025-26.

Students pursuing the minor come from a variety of academic backgrounds, reflecting the program’s interdisciplinary structure.

Laura Tejeda, a junior studying health sciences with a concentration in public health, said their interest in substance use research led them to minor in the program.

“With cannabis policy changing over the past several years, the minor aligned really well with my research interests,” Tejada said.

They said the program has helped open professional opportunities, particularly in research.

“A lot of my internship opportunities have come from my cannabis studies minor,” Tejeda said. “It’s been a good conversation starter and has opened doors.”

Quincy Delacretaz, a communication studies student who recently completed his coursework and is pursuing a cannabis studies minor, said he was drawn to the program after exploring different academic options.

“I was looking for a minor and nothing really sounded interesting, and then I saw DePaul had cannabis studies,” Delacretaz said. “It was something I was already interested in, and I was thinking about working in a dispensary.”

Delacretaz said he hopes to enter the cannabis industry after graduation, potentially working in a dispensary or in cultivation.

The program also addresses the historical and social context of cannabis.

“We talk about the history of racism tied to cannabis and drugs generally, including disparities in how people are charged, prosecuted and sentenced,” Baglia said.

Students said stigma surrounding cannabis still exists, particularly in certain communities.

“I think there’s still stigma, especially for Black and brown people who are using cannabis or trying to build careers in the industry,” Delacretaz said.

Tejeda added that while perceptions are shifting, long-standing attitudes remain.

“Stigma is not something that goes away overnight,” Tejeda said. “Even though cannabis has become more normalized, people still perceive it as a drug of abuse.”

Faculty say the program is designed not only to prepare students for careers, but also to expand their understanding of the industry’s complexity. As the industry continues to evolve, new opportunities and challenges are emerging for students entering the field.

“The goal is to create knowledge about cannabis from political, legal, commercial and health perspectives,” Baglia said. “While cannabis is legal in Illinois, it is still federally illegal, which creates significant tension for businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Baglia said the industry is also expanding beyond traditional products.

“We’re seeing cannabis expand into different product streams, including non-THC products and even cannabis-infused beverages,” Baglia said.

Students and faculty said the program’s flexibility allows it to complement a wide range of career paths.

“If you’re interested in it and passionate about it, I’d say go for it,” Delacretaz said. “There are a lot of different areas you can pursue.”

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