New York’s cannabis compliance mentorship program held its first session this week, and some legacy operators involved say they’re impressed with the program, and cautiously hopeful about its efficacy.
“I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about the program and the system,” said Dennis, a legacy operator in Central NY who asked NY Cannabis Insider to omit his last name. “We haven’t been forgotten about.”
The Office of Cannabis Management announced the 10-week Cannabis Compliance Training & Mentorship program in October, which is for adults with advanced farming, cultivation or horticulture experience and/or advanced experience with manufacturing, processing, packaging or branding products for human consumption.
Throughout the program, participants are expected to learn about cannabis cultivation and processing, agribusiness management and regulatory compliance, according to the OCM.
During a Cannabis Control Board meeting this week, OCM Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon said the inaugural class includes 173 growers and 50 processors; 66% of whom are from groups historically underrepresented in the farming industry and/or qualify for social equity status under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.
“The aim of the program was to grow and diversify the pipeline of farmers and processors preparing to participate in NY’s adult-use cannabis industry,” Fagon said. “In that regard, the program has been a success.”
Dennis, the legacy operator, said that…
