Sustaining any new business is challenging. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 20% of new businesses fail in the first two years; 45% during the first five years; and 65% during the first ten years. For cannabis businesses – that are subject to regulations governing licensing, cultivation, testing, selling, and purchasing cannabis – the challenges are greatly increased. The new HCCC programs are designed to assist in abating these challenges and helping new cannabis businesses achieve sustained success.
“Hudson County Community College is dedicated to providing our diverse community with state-of-the-art programs that will lead to success and upward social and economic mobility,” stated HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We are committed to ensuring that those who were most harmed by past cannabis injustices are provided with the acuity to build and sustain profitable businesses.”
The HCCC New Jersey Cannabis Licensing Workshop is a four-week, non-credit program that provides an overview of what is needed to apply for and operate a State-licensed cannabis business. The workshop will include an overview of cannabis history and laws; do’s and don’ts of preparing applications, business plans, and achieving compliance. The workshop will be conducted by Jessica F. Gonzalez, Esq., Cannabis and Intellectual Property attorney at Hiller, PC General Counsel for Minorities for Medical Marijuana Inc., who will be joined by successful cannabis applicants, operators, and consultants. Additional information about the workshop may be obtained by contacting Chastity Farrell, HCCC Associate Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, at cfarrell@hccc.edu.