My UMSOP Story – Liz Brockman, MS ‘24

Brockman is back row, center.

Liz Brockman is a 2024 graduate of the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Program (MCST). She is the inaugural Tea Pad Foundation Fellow and social media manager for CannabizMD. She is also affiliated with Forest/Standard Wellness Maryland (SWM), the first female Black/Latina vertically integrated cannabis business in the country, located in Baltimore.

What has your career path been up to now?  

Prior to the MCST program, I was with the Johns Hopkins Health System, where I was a practice administrator, responsible for the operations and financial health of several clinics, including orthopedics and pulmonology.

What interested you in pursuing graduate education about medical cannabis and therapeutics? What was your prior exposure to these topics? 

I was seeking a role in the industry and wanted to have the education piece so that I would be taken more seriously as a candidate. As a patient, I had a base knowledge on the topic, but not enough to give a solid job interview.

What drew you to attend the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP)? 

I’ve wanted to enroll in the program since it was created in 2019 as the first of its kind in the nation. I was also a working professional, so having it almost entirely online was appealing.

What was your experience like in the MS in MCST program?

I found it to be incredibly flexible all around. The professors were understanding of life events, which contributed greatly to my success in the program.

What were some of the highlights of the program for you? 

Being nominated and inducted into the School of Pharmacy’s chapter of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society was unexpected and a highlight of the program. I also joined the Medical Cannabis Student Association, where I served as director of finance and had networking opportunities with my fellow students and leaders in the industry.

How do you plan to apply your knowledge and skills from this program into practice? 

I would like to take my knowledge and skills and put it toward a job in advocacy, policy, and/or compliance where I can help shape policy to better serve the needs of patients.

How has the MCST program contributed to your growing success in your career?

The connections I made in the MCST program contributed most to my success in starting in the industry. Through the program, I was connected to an industry fellowship and internship, ultimately resulting in a position with Forest/Standard Wellness Maryland.

What is your advice to prospective students who might be considering whether to apply to this program? 

Do it! This program is science-based, policy-aware, and industry-connected. Whether you’re already in the cannabis industry or trying to get your foot in the door like me, the MCST program gives you the knowledge, credibility, and community to grow your career the right way. 

It’s flexible and taught by experts who actually understand where this industry is headed. You’ll meet people from all sides of cannabis — medicine, research, law, and advocacy — and you’ll leave with the tools to make a real impact.