Skip the Class, Pass the Joint: Why Experience Beats Certification

Originally featured in Fat Nugs Magazine Vol. 25: Higher Education Edition. Enjoy the great articles and community at fatnugsmag.com.

With cannabis certifications and training programs on the rise, you may wonder: Do I need one of these to level up my knowledge or credibility? I asked myself the same question, and even went through with it, twice. I earned the Certified Ganjier from Ganjier and the Master of Cannabis from Cannabis Training University. Were they interesting? Sure. Necessary? Not so much. Here’s the truth, real cannabis connoisseurship, education and appreciation don’t come from buying a certificate. They are born out of curiosity, self-study, real-world experience, a love for the plant and engaging with the community. That’s not to say collegiate programs in agriculture, science or business aren’t valuable; they absolutely are for those pursuing the industry professionally and still in school. But for those of us who were in school while cannabis was underground or the everyday enthusiast and seeker of connoisseurship, many of these flashy certifications walk the line between  clout-chasing with a price tag and authentic education.

Certifications Incoming

As cannabis continues to wobble its way towards legalization, there are two reasons we’re seeing certifications pop up as options for cannabis professionals and enthusiasts. First is the “green rush.” Over the years, any business idea or model that could be aimed at the industry has been. Everyone rushed to the space and tried to carve out something for themselves not always for the good of the plant or the community with the goal to create successful, profitable businesses. Second is a need for legitimacy, with institutional investors watching from the sidelines, licensed operators struggling with 280e, market saturation and the rise of the hemp industry. There’s a real need to make cannabis legitimate and more professional. For those coming to the industry with money but no plant knowledge or community roots, nothing helps them say “I belong here too” like a certification. 

Comparing these new unregulated certifications to centuries old traditions like the wine sommelier is a way to add a dash of sophistication, especially for regulators and mainstream audiences. Many sell themselves as a key to legitimacy, but the legitimacy of the industry has come through legalization efforts, people building businesses and the evolving cannabis culture. Legalization has democratized cannabis knowledge with grow manuals, terpene science, hash making techniques and more, widely available online for free or in books like Ed Rosenthal’s Growers Handbook and Russ Hudson’s Big Book of Terps. As mentioned before, I have two cannabis certifications, let’s grind them up and see how they smoke.

Certified Ganjier

The Certified Ganjier program brands itself as the cannabis equivalent of the sommelier. It costs three thousand dollars and a mandatory trip to their Humboldt California campus. The curriculum focuses on cannabis science, service standards, product knowledge and an assessment method called SAP (Systemic Assessment Protocol) seeking to create a base line of knowledge and standardize cannabis reviews and assessments.  

I enrolled to further my cannabis connoisseurship and enjoyed the clear and informative structure of the classes, specifically the summarized science around trichomes, aroma and taste as well as the judging protocol they recommend. More than the knowledge gained, I found the community of students who took the certification to be an excellent group. Everyone was so passionate about the plant, and it really showed. I’ve since become good friends with several of them.

However, the cost is significant, and for me, the value beyond the education itself was limited. While the SAP process provides a structured assessment approach, there are some unclear areas that can lead to inflated scores. I also found that ongoing support after becoming certified was minimal and attempts to collaborate on projects or engage with the organization were largely unfruitful.

The program continues to grow with hundreds, eventually thousands of Certified Ganjiers in the community. While there is clear value for those with disposable income or an interest in connecting with passionate cannabis folks, it’s worth noting that the program leans towards a focus on prestige and profit rather than sustained collaboration. The certification itself has had a limited impact in advancing my cannabis career. 

Master of Cannabis

After the Certified Ganjier, I enrolled in the CTU Master of Cannabis still seeking to level up my cannabis knowledge and passion a little more. The program costs two hundred dollars and can be done entirely from home. It covers a very broad range of topics including cultivation methods, manufacturing, retail operations, compliance and medical cannabis approaches. 

I enjoyed the wide range of topics here and found the course to be a great primer or “Cannabis 101” for folks who are brand new to the industry. It was good reinforcement of my existing knowledge. That being said, I didn’t necessarily come away with new knowledge here, and while very affordable, the title of Master of Cannabis was a little misleading. Taking it from home was great, but there was no community involvement so engagement beyond the coursework was non-existent.

I’m not sure where the numbers and recognition stands on this certification as I have not met anyone else who has it. Similar to Ganjier, it can provide value but at a more surface level. I would say this is the one to take if you are brand new to cannabis or the industry and you like structured learning, but it is far from necessary. Unlike Ganjier, it is less about prestige and more about accessible generalist information. 

The Alternative Approach

The most effective cannabis education and advances in connoisseurship are not certifications. Instead, they develop naturally through curiosity, cannabis experience and community engagement. All of which cost nothing but time, dedication, internet access and a library card. Reading, listening, watching, engaging and practicing thoughtful consumption is the first step that should be taken by anyone wanting to improve their cannabis understanding. It’s the authentic way to build your knowledge and dive into all the plant has to offer.

Reading is by far the best way to consume cannabis information and get up to speed fast. Ed Rosenthal, Jorge Cervantes, Russ Hudson, Ryan Riley and more all write excellent books on cannabis and the industry overall. Magazines like this one (Thanks Fat Nugs!), media outlets like Beard Bros and Cash Color Cannabis all provide wonderful insights on the plant and the people that make it possible as well as current news and hot topics.

Listening to podcasts like mine Apartment 113 (shameless plug) and others like Blunt Business, Cannabis Cultivation & Science, Higher Exchanges, Legacies and Bite Me The Show About Edibles all provide candid real and ongoing deep dives into the stories, products, news and science of cannabis and the community.

Watching documentaries like The Union: The Business Behind Getting High, Culture High, Weed the People and CBD Nation can also provide entertaining and informative views on the plant and help to further your knowledge. Youtube channels like Hash Church with Bubbleman, Cannabichem, CustomGrow420 and Cannacribs all provide a regular schedule of new cannabis education, interviews and thought leadership.

Engaging with the cannabis community on Reddit and LinkedIn is a great place to start. From there, you can find your way into Discord communities and other forums to get into the specifics of whatever it may be that you are interested in. Find cannabis events and conferences near you and get out there, be present, be respectful and stay humble to build your cannabis network and knowledge at the same time.

Last and certainly not least, the most important part is practice. For connoisseurship, that means thoughtful consumption, take notes, visit dispensaries and determine what works best for you. Try as many cultivars as you can and work on discerning the aroma and taste of each. It may be difficult at first, but working on your own way to describe differences in products is essential to developing as a connoisseur. If you’re cultivating or hashmaking, keep at it and try to improve little by little in your own processes. If you want to work in the industry, get started, build your product, start your business. Nothing can beat real world experience and repetition.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see why certifications appeal: they promise a shortcut to credibility and a way to stand out or connect professionally. Many pursue them to gain recognition, prestige or to signal expertise. Nothing is inherently wrong with certifications or this motivation as it’s natural to want acknowledgement for your passion and experience.

The reality though is that most employers, peers and connoisseurs care far more about hands-on experience, curiosity and demonstrated skills than a piece of paper. Certifications can open doors or provide structure, but they can’t replace real knowledge, palate development or authenticity. 

If you’re drawn to a certification because it looks impressive or promises career advancement, please take a moment to pause and consider if it aligns with your goals. For those genuinely curious about cannabis, self study and participation in the industry is the best way forward. It’s also worth remembering that all certifying institutions are businesses after all and trying to profit. Certificates can be tools, but they are not the path. Cannabis education belongs to the people, not to a business model.