New York’s Office of Cannabis Management announced this week that it will host two virtual “learning series” workshops next week to provide information for those looking to get a first-round retail marijuana license.
Called “Get Ready, Get Set,” the talks will be on May 17 and 18, and will focus on eligibility criteria for applicants who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs and how organizations that work with those applicants can support them.
The following week, OCM will host two “listening series” workshops around supporting cannabis cultivation in the state and ensuring equity in the industry.
The Educational Series will take place on Tuesday, May 17 at 4 p.m.: Am I Eligible for a CAURD License? How do I Apply for a Conditional License?
Then on Wednesday, May 18 at 4 p.m.: How to Support Individuals with a Cannabis Conviction in Applying for License.
The Listening Series will be on Tuesday, May 24 at 4 p.m.: How to Support Cannabis Cultivation in NYS and then on Wednesday, May 25 at 4 p.m.: How to Ensure Equity in the NYS Cannabis Industry.
The events will be streamed online as well.
The series were announced at the Rochester CannaBusiness conference Thursday morning, where OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander provided a keynote address to attendees.
Alexander said, “We are building an industry for New Yorkers: for people stopped and frisked and convicted for carrying a plant, for small farmers struggling to compete with mega-corporations, for those who have been shut out of other industries for reasons beyond their control. To make that happen, we are working to make sure every business owner with a cannabis-conviction, or their family members, knows how to apply for a CAURD license, and that includes connecting with community organizations across the state to spread the word. We are designing similar outreach and support for all license types – CAURD is just one opportunity of many to come for equity applicants.”
