Cannabis is a hot topic at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where students can now enroll in a course on cannabis.

The 2019 spring semester will see the introduction of UNM’s Communication and Journalism Department course on “Cannabis and Communication,” or what has been given the title “CJ 293.” 

According to the university’s associate professor, Tamar Ginossar, the topic raises plenty of enthusiasm on-campus. He will be leading the course. The professor stated that there has been a global shift in opinion on the topic of cannabis legalization and therefore, it is an exhilarating time to educate budding students.

UNM cannabis course will combine numerous communication topics

So, what can students expect to learn inside the University of New Mexico’s cannabis classes?

A biology professor will enlighten students on regulations for cannabis and its impacts on research. In addition to this, students will discover what role cannabis plays in the media, as well as provide students with a chance to get educated on the subject of cannabis-related health and medical issues.

A plethora of communication topics will be included in the course, such as:

• Interpersonal communication
• Political communication
• Journalism
• Entertainment media

“Marijuana is an important, controversial and emerging topic in the U.S. and globally,” said Ginossar. “Our goal is to introduce UNM students in all majors to the department and the fields of communication and journalism by engaging them in exploring some of the many different communicative dimensions of marijuana.”

“For example, we will examine elements of intercultural communication, coverage of marijuana in the news as well as new media — digital/social — as a political issue, and from a health communication perspective,” Ginossar continued.

UNM is one of just a handful of colleges in the U.S. that currently offer cannabis courses

“The class is unique and innovative, and it offers UNM students the opportunity to engage with communication theories and perspectives on a relevant and emerging topic,” added Ginossar.“Although some universities are including cannabis-related courses in their curricula, to our knowledge this is the first time that a university is providing a course that examines cannabis through an introductory communication course that is open to all students and is relevant to all majors.”