Cannabis FAQ

Cannabis is a genus of plant that makes a substance full of natural compounds called cannabinoids. Two of these compounds that get the most attention are CBD and THC. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products.

Cannabis has a variety of uses and can be found in many products. Broadly speaking, the cannabis industry consists of: industrial/textile use, beauty/wellness products, adult use, and medicinal/pharmaceutical use.

Simply put, all marijuana is cannabis, but not all cannabis is marijuana. 

The cannabis genus of plants contains varieties of both hemp and marijuana species. Although they belong to the same genus, these two plant species are very different. Marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the cannabinoid responsible for getting you “high.” Marijuana also contains CBD (cannabidiol), a cannabinoid that won’t get you high, but has many reported beneficial effects, such as pain relief and relaxation. Different strains of marijuana have different concentrations of CBD and THC, leading to different effects when consumed.

Hemp is a species of cannabis plant that contains significant levels of CBD, but not enough THC to produce intoxicating effects. It’s one of the most useful plants in the world, and can be used to make rope, clothing, paper, and more. The hemp plant has been used in the textile industry for thousands of years. It’s biodegradable and some fashion brands use it in their clothing lines. Those concerned about sustainability in fashion have increasingly been using hemp.

Legal cannabis sales in the U.S. are projected to reach $43 billion by 2025. (source: New Frontier Data). In 2020, 321,000 people were employed in the cannabis industry (source: Leafly Jobs Report), with that number expected to grow considerably as legalization of cannabis expands to more states.

For 80+ years, LIM has been preparing students to lead in the business of fashion. From luxury brands to retail giants; PR and marketing firms to publishers; entertainment conglomerates to savvy startups — wherever there's a successful fashion business, you'll find our graduates.

As it turns out, the fashion and cannabis industries share striking similarities—in sheer size, scope, career opportunities, and sought after skill sets. Like fashion, the cannabis industry touches on beauty and wellness, textiles and industrial use, and recreational aspects. And in this highly regulated field, employers need professionals with business skills, experience, and industry-specific knowledge. Because of LIM’s wealth of connections, faculty in the field, and career- and business-focused curricula, that’s exactly what this program offers