Inspired by the glaring need for plant-touching education and created as an equitable access point into the cannabis industry, Cookies University offers free, highly immersive hands-on training for those who have been historically marginalized and negatively impacted by the War on Drugs. 

As a proud sponsor of Cookies University 2024, AROYA’s Director of Applied Technology Jason van Leuven headed up to Humboldt to deliver two days of instruction covering plant science, cultivation, and crop steering. For the second year in a row, AROYA offered each student a partial scholarship, their own SOLUS three-in-one sensor (to monitor EC, moisture content, and temperature), and a deep dive into data-driven cultivation from one of the most sought-after agronomic experts in the field. 

Cookies University Class of 2024: Meet the Graduates

Brian M.,
Virginia
Instagram: @iam_b_mitch

“I have a master's in medical cannabis science and therapeutics from the University of Maryland.”

Jillian A.,
New York, NY
Instagram: @ms.jillyjillz

“There's so much stuff that this plant does to heal. Yeah, the hype is cool, the parties are cool…but we got people in this country who are still in jail. We still have people who are sick and don't have access to the plant.“

Sydney R.,
Texas
Instagram: @sydthebudtender

 “My dream is definitely to host events for more people in my community, Black and brown people, to feel comfortable...to come to and learn more about cannabis, and try to change the stigma around it.” 

Vicky J.,
Maryland
Instagram:  @buddaflyeffects

 “I've been cultivating for three years….Once I went from just consuming into growing it, I started understanding the plant in a whole different way.”

Yancy M.,
Buffalo, NY
Instagram: @morningcloudscafe

“Working at the dispensary, helping people out and they come back saying, “Hey, what you recommended helped me sleep, helped me with my pain”, that feels really good.” 

From thousands of applicants around the globe, five students are hand-picked for the chance to stay at Cookies’ flagship campus at One Log in Humboldt and learn the ins and outs of the regulated cannabis industry from the biggest weed brand on the planet.

“[Cookies University is] the best hands-on plant-touching cannabis education in the world…The program isn't open to just anyone; it's not something you can pay to get into or know the right people to get into. It's specifically built as a social equity initiative, so you have to qualify under equity criteria.” – Amanda F., Cookies’ Director of Social Impact