Inside STLCC’s Cannabis Certificate Program and Billie Voyles’ courses
BY: MORGAN DANIELS
Staff Writer
This spring, St. Louis Community College moves into its second semester of the Cannabis and Hemp Production Certificate program, offering students a unique pathway into the growing cannabis industry. One of the culminating courses students take is Laboratory Methods for Cannabis Extraction led by Professor Billie Voyles at the Bio Research and Development Growth Park in Creve Coeur.
Professor Voyles brings a wealth of industry knowledge to her classroom. Having transitioned from a successful career as a Lab Technician, Voyles now dedicates her expertise to teaching future industry professionals. “It’s my job to pass on the knowledge,” she said. “When people want education, whether free or paid for, I pretty much jump on the bandwagon.”
Other than the class she teaches at STLCC, Voyles is a professor at Saint Louis University within their Cannabis program, and an entrepreneur with her business Botanical Journeys, LLC as an educational consultant in the cannabis industry.
Students enrolled in Voyles’ course receive not only academic instruction but also practical exposure to various aspects of the cannabis business. At the beginning of each semester, Voyles distributes tote bags filled with merchandise and educational materials sourced directly from cannabis companies. She tailors her curriculum based on insights gained from asking companies, “What do you want them to know before you hire them?”
Voyle’s course curriculum covers a range of practical industry skills and extraction techniques including making medicinal oils like Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), filling capsules, creating lotions and salves, and learning how to infuse oil with cannabis. Beyond traditional lectures and lab work, Voyle extends learning beyond the classroom with field trips to local distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. This semester, she’s taking her class of twelve to various cannabis distribution companies ranging from local to national, like Vibe, SWADE Dispensary, and Mint Cannabis. They will also take trips to manufacturing companies like Robust Missouri, which prides itself on its organic and sustainable cannabis cultivation, Teal Cannabis, and Standard Wellness Missouri, LLC.
The goal for students after completing the certificate program is to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter a career in the industry. The students in Voyle’s class appear to range in age and experience. Some have backgrounds in horticulture working at greenhouses while others are interested in the industry itself and the science behind cannabis. Nevertheless, they all will gain applicable knowledge and experience to enter the industry with a working understanding of cannabis and hemp production.
The program’s four courses, including Introductory Horticulture, Introduction to Cannabis, Cannabis and Hemp Cultivation, and Laboratory Methods for Cannabis Extraction, make up 13 credit hours. However, they are currently only offered at the Meramec campus. For more information, visit the horticulture website or reach out to Program Director Jerry Pence (jpence@stlcc.edu).
