TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Department of State’s NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Cannabis Training Academy (CTA), a no-cost technical assistance program to help industry owners and others as they navigate the process of establishing a licensed and regulatory-compliant cannabis business in New Jersey.
The CTA was designed to help communities affected by the war on drugs, specifically individuals who qualify as members of target Impact Zones, as designated by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), including those who live in, plan to locate their business in or plan to hire future employees from an Impact Zone.
The first of its kind in the nation, the CTA has become a model for other states looking to create pathways for their own burgeoning cannabis industry. Since its launch on October 16, 2024, the CTA has enrolled more than 1,700 students to its no-cost online educational platform, a comprehensive, learner-led program which provides information covering the licensing application process, municipal approval, zoning issues, raising capital, post-licensing topics, and general operations.
“The Cannabis Training Academy offers invaluable resources that help small business owners go through the process of legal cannabis business management,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the NJBAC in her capacity as Secretary of State. “The insights provided will help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and get their business on the right track from the start. With the right knowledge and tools, we are fostering a more inclusive and sustainable cannabis industry in New Jersey.”
CTA’s core curriculum offers 10 levels of training modules that teach students about the NJ-CRC cannabis licensing application process. Upon completing the 60+ courses offered by the program, students will receive an official CTA certification with the completion of the final level. This certificate can then be included as part of a New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) cannabis license application as proof of prior business experience.
The CTA recently made all 10 levels of its core curriculum and certificate of completion available in Spanish. By translating all 10 levels into Spanish, the CTA aims to make its no-cost program accessible to a wider audience of students while recognizing that Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the State.
In addition to the core curriculum, the CTA added a no-cost compliance course to help New Jersey industry owners and workers satisfy their yearly ID badging requirements. By law, cannabis licensees, employees, owners, principals, contractors, volunteers and testing labs – whether plant touching or not – must have an official, non-transferable Cannabis Business Identification Card (CBIC) to work in the industry.
“In just one year, the CTA has accomplished so much. The Spanish translation of the core curriculum, as well as the CBIC Training Course, which was introduced in the spring, underscores just how broadly the CTA is responding to the needs of the industry. As a no-cost program, the CTA removes the financial barrier to entry into this lucrative industry. The CTA is also for existing cannabis businesses who want to remain in compliance with all the regulations so that they can continue to operate. Commercial cannabis is rapidly evolving, and as this industry evolves, so too will the CTA and its offerings,” explained NJBAC Executive Director Melanie Willoughby.
Earlier this year, NJBAC representatives, including CTA Executive Director Tauhid Chappell, traveled to Maryland to share their experiences in launching and operating what has become the largest government-run cannabis technical assistance program in the country. Additionally, Chappell was named in the as one of the education leaders in New Jersey who is shaping the future by driving success within their organizations and empowering the next generation of professionals.
About the Cannabis Training Academy
The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), housed in the New Jersey Department of State, has been designated by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ CRC) to build and launch the Cannabis Training Academy (CTA), a no-cost technical assistance, training and mentorship program that supports local cannabis entrepreneurs who wish to apply for a cannabis license in New Jersey, learn about the garden state’s cannabis industry, and stay within compliance as they operate their cannabis businesses. To learn more, visit .