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New Jersey Welcomes First Group of Cannabis Training Academy Instructors
The NJ Business Action Center prepares to inaugurate the Cannabis Training Academy in 2024, aiming to educate and support aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs, particularly from underserved communities.
Morristown, NJ - The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) has announced the selection of the first group of instructors for the Cannabis Training Academy (CTA), marking a significant step in building New Jersey's cannabis technical assistance program. The CTA, set to launch in 2024, is a pioneering initiative designed to provide education and support to individuals interested in obtaining an adult-use cannabis operator's license, with a focus on those from communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition.
The selected 25 CTA Instructors, and their designated courses, are:
- Rosemarie Moyeno Matos – Gaining Municipal Proof of Local Support
- Chuck Latini – Understanding Zoning Approvals and Site Plans
- Stephanie Thomas - Real Estate Considerations
- Cecilia Oyediran – Understanding The Application Scoring Criteria and Application Fees, Writing Your Personal History & Entity Disclosure Forms and Submitting A Successful Application
- Chirali Patel – Understanding and Drafting Business Plan and Management Profiles, Writing A Regulatory Compliance Plan, Preparing your Conditional Application Submission, and Understanding the Conditional Conversion Application Process
- Lauren Rudick – Crafting and Understanding Business Formation Documents, Understanding Management Service Agreements ("MSA") and Financial Source Agreements ("FSA"), and Understanding Vendor Contractor Agreements
- Jessica Velazquez – Understanding Cannabis Taxation
- Dharshini Casinathen – Describing Your Business, Drafting Mission Statement & Value Propositions, Organizing A Qualified Team, Describing Your Products and Services, Writing An Executive Summary
- Devan McLaren – Creating A Financial Forecasting Plan
- James E. Jackson III – Preparing to Obtain Liability Insurance
- Patricia Walker – Understanding Your Business and Financial Plan, Preparing An Operating Plan, Describing Your Business Experience
- Hugh Giordano – Understanding Labor Peace Agreements
- Daniel Pierre – Understanding Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Tahir Johnson – Creating A Workforce Development and Job Creation Plan and Creating A Community Impact, Social Responsibility and Research Statement
- Marie Montmarquet – Creating A Safety and Security Plan and Drafting Standard Operating Procedures for Delivery
- Tim Weigand – Creating Your Environmental Impact Plan
- Monica Werkheiser – Understanding The Fundamentals of Standard Operating Procedures, and Drafting SOPs for Adverse Event Reporting, Quality Assurance/Control and Recall
- Kindalyn Thompson – Drafting SOPs for Packaging and Labeling, Inventory Control, Storage, Diversion Prevention, Recordkeeping and Waste Disposal/Sanitation
- Jason Gully – Drafting SOPs for Cultivation
- Kevin Serwatowski - Drafting SOPs for Manufacturing
- Charles Smith – Drafting SOPs for Wholesale
- Sequoah Turner – Drafting SOPs for Distribution
- Suzan Nickelson – Drafting SOPs for Dispensing
- Renata Serban – Drafting SOPs for Accounting & Tax Compliance
- Anita Bear – Drafting SOPs for Age Verification, Secure Transport of Cannabis and Reporting of Test Results for Cannabis
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, leading the Department of State, expressed enthusiasm for the academy, highlighting its role in fostering a more equitable and diverse cannabis industry in the state. Melanie Willoughby, NJBAC Executive Director, emphasized the program's commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs in navigating the recreational cannabis license process. Penni Wild, NJBAC Deputy Executive Director, noted the substantial interest in the instructor roles, with over 250 applicants, leading to the careful selection of 25 experienced professionals.
The CTA instructors bring a wealth of knowledge, having themselves navigated the complex process of obtaining cannabis licenses. Their expertise ranges from municipal support, zoning approvals, and real estate considerations to application processes, business planning, and regulatory compliance. This diverse array of courses aims to equip enrollees with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for success in New Jersey's cannabis market.
The academy's hiring journey, stretching from June to November 2023, involved a rigorous process of screening, interviewing, and selection from a large pool of candidates. The 25 instructors, each specializing in different aspects of the cannabis business, reflect a commitment to delivering high-quality, relevant education to future industry leaders.
The CTA program, announced in late 2022, offers no-cost online courses to New Jersey residents aged 21 and above. The curriculum is designed to cover the essentials of establishing a compliant business, understanding state cannabis laws and regulations, and navigating the license application portal. To access advanced levels and materials, students must qualify as Impact Zone applicants, emphasizing the program's focus on supporting those in designated areas.
In a state poised to shape the future of the cannabis industry, the CTA stands as a beacon of opportunity and growth, particularly for those in Impact Zones. With its comprehensive curriculum and expert-led instruction, the academy is set to become a cornerstone in the development of a responsible and inclusive cannabis market in New Jersey.
