The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced the launch of the Responsible Workforce Training Program, a “critical initiative aimed at providing comprehensive safety education to workers in the cannabis industry.”
New York is the first state to require and develop Cannabis Product Safety and Responsibility and Cannabis Workforce Responsibility courses related to the health, safety, and employment standards for all cannabis workforce participants. These courses, in addition to training on implicit bias, cultural competency, and licensee specific trainings, represent a significant step toward building a workforce empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the New York cannabis industry.
New York State adult-use cannabis regulations require that all persons performing activities under a licensed cannabis business complete Responsible Workforce Training within 30 days of the employee’s start date.