Cannabis Training Academy Finalizes Curriculum, Offers Certificate to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

State-backed program prepares over 1,300 students for New Jersey's cannabis licensing process with comprehensive, free online training

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) has completed the core curriculum for its Cannabis Training Academy (CTA), officially launching the program’s highest-level courses and offering a certificate of completion to those who finish the full sequence. The program, which began in October 2024, is part of a broader effort to support equitable access to the state’s growing cannabis industry.

Administered by NJBAC under the New Jersey Department of State and supported by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), the CTA provides free, asynchronous online training for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the cannabis marketplace. The curriculum includes more than 60 courses, webinars, and supplemental materials designed to guide students through the state’s complex cannabis licensing process.

“To see this program fully completed in roughly six months after its launch is an incredible accomplishment. It’s also a testament to the State’s ongoing support and commitment to ensure that this vital resource is accessible to both prospective entrepreneurs and cannabis operators who are looking to level up their knowledge to acquire other additional licenses, or train their staff on the deeper nuances of business management and license operations. There is nothing like this program anywhere else in the country,” said NJBAC’s Executive Director Melanie Willoughby.

The new certificate of completion, awarded upon the conclusion of Level 10 courses, serves as verifiable evidence of business preparation and can be included in license applications submitted to the NJ-CRC.

Course content addresses a broad range of topics critical to cannabis business operations, including:

• Application documentation and regulatory compliance

• Navigating municipal approvals and zoning laws

• Creating business plans and securing insurance

• Developing standard operating procedures and risk management frameworks

• Transitioning license types and adapting to new legal standards

The CTA also provides live Q&A sessions and periodic updates reflecting new state policies or regulatory changes. Since its inception, the program has enrolled over 1,300 students and produced more than 20 hours of video-based supplemental training.

“This is a historic moment for New Jersey, as we wrap up the largest, most comprehensive, cannabis technical assistance program in the country. The CTA is enhanced by industry experts, supported by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and accessible to all New Jersey residents ages 21+ who can access our program online 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year through their phones, tablets or computers,” said Tauhid Chappell, Executive Director of the CTA.

The initiative is intended to reduce barriers to entry in the cannabis industry, particularly for small and local entrepreneurs. The no-cost training model aligns with the state’s broader goal of fostering a more inclusive and well-informed base of cannabis business owners.

For more information about the Cannabis Training Academy or to enroll, interested individuals can visit the NJBAC’s cannabis business portal at https://www.nj.gov/state/bac/cannabis-training.