A Cannabis Town Hall featuring panel discussions with industry leaders and local and state legislators, a cannabis career fair, and an expungement clinic will be held from 12 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 22, in the Event Center at Raritan Valley Community College.
The event combines an educational symposium with a job fair to shed light on the swiftly expanding cannabis landscape. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and admission is free. Registration is optional at this link here.
This event is sponsored by the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) in partnership with various agencies. These include CannaCoverage Insurance Services, Project Clean Slate, Minorites for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), The Glory Firm, NJ Cannabis Consulting, Valley Wellness, Aunt Mary’s Cannabis Dispensary, Future Entheogenic Medicines, Visions and Pathways, and the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board.
New Jersey fully legalized marijuana in 2021. This expanded access to cannabis that began in 2012 with the legalization of medicinal marijuana. There are now more than 130 dispensaries throughout the state, according to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). The state recorded $201 million in adult-use cannabis sales in the first quarter of 2024, and CRC officials predict sales will top $1 billion this year.
Panel Discussions
During the June 22 Town Hall a panel of experts will cover topics ranging from legalization updates to the impact these updates will have on local communities. Topics include:
- Building the Cannabis Ecosystem in Municipalities
- Cannabis Tax Revenue: Economic Development, Workforce Development, Social Justice, Tracking and Measuring Accountability
- Improving Health Outcomes through Medical Cannabis
- The Psychedelics Market, Research to Retail
The panel discussions from 12 to 4 p.m. will be preceded by vendor networking, and free pizza and water provided by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW 360), which represents workers in the cannabis industry’s supply chain.
Job Fair and Exhibitors
Cannabis-related enterprises, including multiple businesses with job openings, will be part of a vendor hall set up in the RVCC Conference Center at the Branchburg campus.
“The mission of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board is to connect employers and job seekers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties,” GRWDB Director Paul Grzella said. “We have been supporting businesses in this growing sector for the past few years, and this event presents a convenient opportunity to learn more about working in the cannabis industry at a dispensary, cultivation, or even in compliance or insurance service.”
Valley Wellness, an independently owned and operated cannabis dispensary located in Raritan Borough, will be conducting impromptu interviews for various positions within its dispensary. Aunt Mary’s Cannabis Dispensary in Flemington will be accepting resumes.
Jobseekers who want to secure an appointment time with Valley Wellness for an on-site interview can pre-register on this link. However, walk-ins are also welcome, so attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes.
In addition, CannaCoverage, based in Newark, will be accepting resumes from experienced insurance professionals or college students interested in internships.
Businesses interested in participating in this event as a one-time vendor or becoming a sponsor of ongoing cannabis-related events sponsored by the Coalition of Medical Marijuana can use this link.
Expungement Clinic
The laws around cannabis have changed dramatically, said Nichelle Santos, founder and CEO of CannaCoverage, CMMNJ board member, and M4MM state co-director.
“The expungement clinic being offered during the Town Hall is critically important to give people a second chance,” Santos said. “Those who may have been convicted of a low level, non-violent cannabis offense, or may have a record for any type of arrest, can meet with attorneys to have a clean slate.”
The clinic will be led by Glory Law Firm attorney Valisha Desir and other attorneys on site. “We are here to help people overcome injustices and become productive citizens,” said Desir. “Many with a record face challenges with employment, housing, and voting, leading to homelessness and a downward spiral towards a life of poverty.”
Those interested in utilizing these services must pre-register with the Glory Law Firm using this link.
Scholarship Opportunities
As a bonus, attendees at the Cannabis Town Hall will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of two $500 scholarships offered by NJ Cannabis Certified. This 15-hour, five-module certificate course, conducted live via Zoom in partnership with RVCC and seven other New Jersey community colleges, is designed for individuals looking to kick-start their career in the cannabis industry or simply expand their knowledge.
