VIDEO: High hopes fuel MSU Denver student’s cannabis lounge on wheels

While earning a Cannabis Hospitality Specialist Certificate, Victoria Osler switched careers to create a more flexible life for her family.

Polina Saran and Laura Miller

August 27, 2025

Victoria Osler is blazing a new trail in Colorado’s cannabis industry.

The Metropolitan State University of Denver student and CEO of Dreamy Illusions will soon receive the University’s Cannabis Hospitality Specialist Certificate.

She’s among six individuals statewide who were issued a license for a mobile hospitality cannabis bus, said Shannon Donnelly, affiliate professor in the School of Hospitality. “Victoria’s story showcases the power and purpose of our cannabis program — education that leads to transformation, access and real industry impact,” Donnelly said.

MSU Denver student Victoria Osler inside her licensed cannabis consumption mobile hospitality bus. Photo by Amanda Schwengel

Osler’s path to entrepreneurship began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when balancing 12-hour nursing shifts as a single mom became unsustainable. “Being a single mom, it was hard for me to work 12-hour shifts,” she said. “And so with the cannabis industry, it allows me to be able to be with my children and to get my education.”

She discovered MSU Denver’s cannabis program while watching the news.

“It stated that MSU Denver was going to be the first in the nation to offer a cannabis certificate,” Osler said. Intrigued, she enrolled and found her passion through the Cooking With Cannabis class.

The class gave Osler experience with dosing, allowed her to tour facilities and taught her the different forms of the cannabis plant, she said. Best of all, her instructor, Donnelly, became a fierce advocate.

“(Donnelly) allowed me to advocate for myself and showed me what it means to not only be a student but have a voice within the industry,” Osler said. “And also, she introduced me to different people within the industry that would be able to help me further my goals.”

Armed with this knowledge and driven by a vision of safe and inclusive cannabis experiences, Osler secured a social-equity license and launched her business. Starting Sept. 20, Dreamy Illusions will offer public tours of two to three hours, with options such as taco tours. Private bookings are currently open. The bus features ventilation, a partitioned driver area, cameras and GPS monitoring to ensure full compliance with city and county regulations.

For Osler, education made it all possible. “MSU Denver opened doors that allowed me to continue my journey,” she said. “Never give up on your hopes and dreams, and education is a huge key to success.”