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At This School, Everyone Majors in Marijuana
                                             
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Med Grow Cannabis College in Southfield, Mich., teaches the history, horticulture and legal how-to's of Michigan's new medical marijuana program. The only required reading is "Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible," by Jorge Cervantes. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                
The six-week, $485 primer on medical marijuana is a cross between an agricultural extension class -- covering the growing cycle, nutrients and light requirements -- and a gathering of serious potheads, sharing stories of their best highs. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times Home U.S. Log In Register Now Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Contact Us Help Work for Us Site Map
                              
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"This state needs jobs, and we think medical marijuana can stimulate the state economy with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars," said Nick Tennant, the 24-year-old founder of the college, a budding business that operates out of a few bare-bones rooms. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                       
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California's medical-marijuana program, the oldest in the country, is now big business, with hundreds of dispensaries in Los Angeles alone, the Michigan program, which started in April, is more representative of what is happening elsewhere in the nation. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                                    
Anyone over 21, with no drug felonies, can be a caregiver for up to five patients. So far, the State Department of Community Health has certified about 5,200 patients and about 2,100 caregivers. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York
                                               
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Even though under Michigan's new law the school is perfectly legal, there is enough nervousness about the whole enterprise that most of the students who came to a recent class did not want their name or picture used. This man agreed to be photographed. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                      
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Because the Michigan program is still so new, there are some gray areas in the law, areas of real concern to the students. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times Home U.S. Log In Register Now Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
                                       
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Under the Michigan law, patients whose doctors certify their medical need for marijuana can grow up to 12 cannabis plants themselves or name a "caregiver" who will grow the plants and sell the product. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                 
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The students are a diverse group -- white and black, some in their 20s, some much older, some employed, some not. Above, a hydroponic system in the classroom. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times Home U.S. Log In Register Now Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
                                   
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For example, it is not legal to start growing marijuana before being officially named a caregiver to a certified patient-- but patients who are sick, certified and ready to purchase marijuana generally do not want to wait through the months of the growing cycle until a crop is ready. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times
                                          
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Mr. Tennant sees the school as the hub of a larger business, which will sell supplies to its graduate medical-marijuana growers, offer workshops and provide a network for patient and caregiver referrals. Photo: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times Home U.S. Log In Register Now Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
 
 
 
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