We look forward to having a high level discussion with you and your peers regarding the upcoming cannabis legalization.

After years of advocacy, New York State has passed legislation that will lead to a statewide market for adult-use cannabis. The legislation - known as the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) - has wide reaching implications for workforce development programs and policy. Among them, MRTA prioritizes those harmed by the prohibition of cannabis by establishing a goal to award 50% of business licenses to social equity candidates. This goal puts New York at or near the head of the pack in terms of state-level restorative justice cannabis policy.  

The New York State School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell University and the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) have begun work on workforce development and community engagement programs grounded in the social equity principles that were essential to MRTA’s passage. Our work, supported in part by a state budget appropriation, prioritizes diversity, equity, and quality jobs in this nascent industry through skills training, entrepreneurism services, workforce supports, legal education for employees and employers, and the development of high-road career pathways.

Our aim is to aid the state in its implementation of the social justice and equity components of an adult-use cannabis, helping transition from statute to policy to programming in ways that benefit equity candidates and those most harmed by cannabis convictions. Our services will be accessible and affordable (offered at no cost to individuals, when possible) to members of impacted communities, as well as prospective business owners and workers.