Last updated on July 8, 2025
As the cannabis industry matures, MSU Denver’s budding hospitality professionals find themselves at the meeting point of customer service, regulation, equity, and public health. Cannabis 101 for Hospitality meets this need by introducing learners to the history, science, policy, and business of cannabis, all through the lens of hospitality.Professor Shannon Donnelly, a recognized expert in the cannabis industry, has again partnered with the CTLD Instructional Design team to develop a 16-week course that prepares learners in the MSU School of Hospitality for careers in this industry. HLDR 1200 is intentionally designed and grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and adult learning theory. In this way, complex and even controversial topics are presented in an accessible, engaging format. Thoughtfully designed media, chunked content, and clear language ensure the course meets the diverse needs of learners.
Contents
Showcase Video
[Length: 05:10, CC Available]
Showcase Examples
Practical Knowledge for the Real World
The course offers a comprehensive overview of the cannabis industry through a hospitality lens, ensuring students build both foundational knowledge and practical skills. The course covers essential topics, including:
- The biology of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system
- Medical applications, risks, and consumption methods
- CBD, hemp, taxation, and regulatory frameworks
- The startup lifecycle of cannabis businesses
Each module is anchored in hospitality, ensuring learners gain immediately applicable skills.
Interactive, Story-driven Learning
A focal point of the course is an immersive simulation built in Twine and embedded directly into Canvas. Students follow three characters: Michael, John, and Jamal. Their lives are shaped by cannabis policies over several decades and their stories highlight the lasting effects of redlining, the War on Drugs, incarceration, and the uneven implementation of social equity programs in Colorado and the US in general.
Through branching narratives, learners make choices that influence the characters’ outcomes, though many paths reflect real systemic barriers. This approach doesn’t just teach policy. It fosters empathy and critical thinking by connecting abstract concepts to human experiences.
Thoughtfully Designed Media
The course’s media elements include AI-generated visuals, voiceovers, and interactive components designed to enhance engagement while adhering to principles of cognitive load theory. Professor Shannon Donnelly appears in a series of concise, engaging lecture videos that introduce core concepts and frame each module. To deepen the connection between course content and the real world, we invited panelists from a variety of roles within the cannabis hospitality industry to participate in roundtable-style discussions. These sessions allowed for rich, conversational insights into topics such as guest experience, compliance, marketing, and innovation. To further highlight personal perspectives, we asked panelists a set of quickfire questions designed to draw out their unique experiences. Their responses were then edited into thematic supercuts, giving students a dynamic, comparative look at how professionals approach similar challenges from different angles.
Preparing Ethical, Adaptive Professionals
The cannabis industry changes rapidly as it grows. HLDR 1200 equips students with more than just knowledge, it encourages reflection, critical inquiry, and a vision for a more equitable future. By blending policy, science, and storytelling, the course prepares hospitality professionals to navigate this field with confidence and integrity. Guest speakers from across the cannabis industry, ranging from operations and compliance to marketing and customer experience, offer students firsthand insight into the realities of working in this evolving space. Their diverse perspectives help students connect course content to real-world industry tasks and provide valuable guidance for those looking to enter or grow within the field.
Partnering for Continuous Improvement in Teaching and Learning
A significant factor in the success of this and similar projects is the support and funding from the Office of Online Learning (OOL), which has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of our online educational endeavors. OOL’s support and contributions have empowered faculty members to innovate and create a more enriching educational environment for all. Please visit the Office of Online Learning for more information about all that they are doing to help MSU Denver faculty members and students.
Want to get involved?
One way to find help with implementing student supports in your course is the CTLD Course Development Cycle. This is an intensive, but rewarding, process where an instructional designer will work with you over the course of several months to identify course objectives, develop learning activities, create a user-friendly course, record high-quality multimedia content, and much more.
For more information on the CTLD Development Cycle, as well as how to apply to join, please see our CTLD Course Development Cycle spotlight.
Have questions?
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