Spotlights
Interview with Affiliate Professor John Lipford
During the March segment of the College of Community and Public Service (CCPS) Community Connections with the WGVU Morning Show host Shelley Irwin, John Lipford, affiliate professor in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, shares our College's motto of "Engage.Enrich.Enhance" and his research on cannabis tourism.
He addressed how our College is the model of an engaged college not only at GVSU, but in Michigan and in higher education in general. We take calculated steps to reinvigorate the community through our public mission of higher education by teaching our students the skills they need to succeed. We encourage critical thinking, active learning, communication and problem-solving.
John initially became attracted to the concept of cannabis as being a sort of new market commodity after watching his best friend pass away from cancer. He was able to witness firsthand the positive effects of cannabis as one of the few medications that stimulated his friend's appetite and gave him a more positive outlook on an otherwise dire outcome. This stemmed his initial interest and current research on the topic which focuses mainly on smaller towns in Michigan but also watching the impact of cannabis regulations on larger cities such as Grand Rapids and Detroit.
As time passed, it became apparent as other courses and majors developed at other universities, that it would be time for our tourism professionals here in Grand Rapids and else where in the state to become educated on the opportunities and challenges of cannabis in the tourism sector. Thus, the design of HTM 242 - Cannabis Regulations and Tourism, the first cannabis-based tourism course in the U.S. His course not only focuses on Michigan's new law but looks at the detailed 90 years or so regulations of this substance in terms of the misinformation and disinformation that occurred along the way, how politics becomes involved with the regulation, a look at the medical benefits, as well as the addiction and recovery aspects. The course addresses a variety of topics not only as it relates to human resources, but social justice concerns and why we have this law pass in the first place by the majority of the constituents here in Michigan.
Ultimately, toward the end of the semester, the students take a robust look at tourism not only in Michigan but around the country. In groups, the students present on different states and discuss how the regulations differ from other legalized states, how the tourism industry has developed in that state, and what opportunities and challenges they've encountered to serve as a model as to what to expect in Michigan.
His speaking engagements include the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association, the annual Unconventional HR Convention, and the 2020 Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism.
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