New York is giving $5 million to community colleges for professional training in the cannabis industry

Community colleges in New York will receive millions in funding “to support the creation or enhancement of short-term skills programs or course offerings that open pathways to employment in the cannabis industry,” the state announced Monday.

Four schools that are part of the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) systems will receive a total of $5 million, which the state said will “support programs that… Will create or enhance non-degree and degree-qualifying courses and programs, stackable credentials and/or micro-credentials that quickly address the skill needs of local employers in the cannabis sector, a projected multi-billion dollar industry employing tens of thousands.”

“New York’s emerging cannabis industry is creating exciting opportunities, and we will ensure New Yorkers who pursue careers in this growing sector receive the quality education they need to succeed,” said the New York Gov York, Kathy Hochul, in a press release Monday. “Diversity and inclusion make the New York workforce a competitive, strong asset, and we will continue to take concrete steps to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the cannabis industry.”

The funding is part of the Empire State’s ongoing preparation for its new regulated cannabis industry, which is expected to launch sometime this year.

New York last year legalized adult recreational use of cannabis, giving people 21 and older the green light to smoke in public and carry up to three ounces of weed.

The state’s cannabis market has steadily taken shape under Hochul, who took office last August following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo.

New York’s first recreational cannabis crop is about to be harvested, and the state’s established hemp farmers are getting their first cultivation licenses.

As in other states that have ended pot bans, New York has made a concerted effort to make amends to those harmed by the War on Drugs.

Earlier this year, the state said the first round of dispensary licenses would go to people previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses or to family members of people with such convictions.

In Monday’s announcement, the state said the “cannabis certification program is consistent with Gov. Hochul’s continued commitment to provide new job opportunities to New Yorkers, particularly those from historically underserved communities, while providing local employers with highly qualified, locally sourced talent.” to supply swimming pool.”

Three SUNY campuses were selected to receive $1 million each: Schenectady County Community College, which “will serve as the lead campus with partners Adirondack Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, and Fulton-Montgomery Community College.” and “will include an estimated more than 1 million 300 participants”; Niagara County Community College, which will “serve as the premier campus with partners Erie Community College, Genesee Community College, and Jamestown Community College and will have “over 4,000 enrollees”; and Orange County Community College, which “will serve as a premier campus with partners Dutchess Community College, Rockland Community College, Sullivan County Community College, Ulster County Community College and Westchester Community College and is expected to “enroll over 200 participants.”

A CUNY campus — the Borough of Manhattan Community College — will receive $2 million and “serve as the lead campus with partner Lehman College” and is expected to have more than 360 participants.

These selected schools “must also work with local employers in the cannabis industry and receive their input in curriculum development,” the state said in the release, which also noted that “the New York State Department of Labor and the Office of Cannabis Management do will support efforts to expand learning opportunities by helping connect companies and job seekers to these essential training programs.”