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NCIA Write About Their Equity Scholarship Program

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by Mike Lomuto, NCIA’s DEI Manager

Three years after the launch of NCIA’s DEI program, we are growing and going stronger than ever. One of last year’s highlights was our DEI delegation that took part in our 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in Washington, D.C., a story we told in this blog, along with many other great and important stories. Now, we are checking back in with a few members to hear about their current progress. 

Why has being a member of NCIA been important to you personally?

Anthony Jenkins, Next Level, CEO:

Cannabis is an amazing plant, and I’m passionate about what it can do. NCIA’s members share that passion, which shows in their advocacy for themselves and the plant.

Michael Diaz-Rivera, Better Days Delivery, Owner/Operator:

I was a 5th-grade teacher before starting this business. Being a member of NCIA has allowed me to network with a diverse set of owners across the business spectrum, whether they are social equity operators, and/or novices like me, or established in the cannabis space for years. NCIA has helped springboard me into spaces where growth is guaranteed!

Helen Gomez Andrews, Co-Founder & CEO, The High End:

Building strong business networks is incredibly important in the cannabis industry – and of course, so is advocacy. With this industry and through communities like NCIA, we have an opportunity to reimagine and restructure how business gets done, what board rooms look like, how workers are treated, how to better respect our environment. Being a member has not only helped me strengthen those networks and provided new business opportunities, but it has provided me more channels towards the advocacy that is meaningful to me and my business’ core values. 

Why is the Equity Scholarship Program at NCIA important?

Anthony Jenkins:

It is EXTREMELY important because most new entrepreneurs don’t have the money to “test” if a program is going to be beneficial for them. The scholarship gives future cannabis business owners a chance to see the true value that comes with being a member, and once they do, they will continue their membership. 

Michael Diaz-Rivera:

Coming from a low-income background and already investing my limited savings 100% into my business, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in NCIA without the scholarship. Not being hindered by my lack of financial resources helped build my confidence in the industry.

Helen Gomez Andrews:

As the founder of a start-up in a regulatory and capital environment with tremendous constraints, the Equity Scholarship Program got me in the door at NCIA, where I otherwise wouldn’t have joined due to the standard price tag. I’ve had a chance to share in, and contribute to, the many different avenues of participation that NCIA offers, make a proper assessment of its impact and properly decide whether or not it makes sense to continue as a member beyond the scholarship period.

What has been your biggest highlight of being an NCIA member?

Anthony Jenkins:

My biggest highlight of being an NCIA member was attending the NCIA’s San Francisco conference in 2021. It was an amazing experience, and we had the opportunity to have a booth, hosted by the awesome team at The People’s Dispensary.

Michael Diaz-Rivera:

My biggest highlight has to be our weekly power hours. Whether learning from industry leaders or having real unapologetic conversations with other emerging business owners, I am walking away from these meetings with priceless jewels of wisdom.

Helen Gomez Andrews:

There are so many! But bringing my kids down to Washington, D.C. for Lobby Days in 2022 was such a highlight. My daughter, who has been a cannabis patient since she was 6 years old, watched as I took a team photo in front of the United States Capitol with a group of people that came together to fight not just for SAFE Banking, but for the federal legalization of a medicine that she uses daily – fighting for her rights and kids just like her – is a moment that our family will never forget.  

Have you noticed a shift in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the NCIA since you joined, and if so can you elaborate?

Michael Diaz-Rivera:

I don’t know if I’ve been in NCIA long enough to notice a shift in DEI, but I can say that it isn’t hard for me to find a BIPOC leader within NCIA who shares experiences similar to mine. That has made this a motivating and pleasurable experience.

Helen Gomez Andrews:

I haven’t been a member long enough to notice a shift, but the diversity of the community was noticeable and very appreciated from the onset, and it’s very tangibly not just a talking point. 

What is on the horizon for your business in 2023?

Next Level Edibles

Anthony Jenkins:

Next Level has some great things on the horizon. We entered into a partnership with a team in Southern California that will help us increase the quality and efficacy of our infused brown sugar. We are growing our partnerships with dispensaries and delivery services throughout California to broaden our footprint. We are relaunching our website. We will be launching new infused ingredients, and partnering with some of our friends in the industry to bring you amazing infused ready-to-eat products. 

Michael Diaz-Rivera:

There is much to be anticipated in the near future for Better Days Delivery and that is why we say, “Better Days Are On The Way.” Most immediately I am excited to announce that I am hiring my first delivery driver and adding more vehicles to my fleet. As I aim to be the best cannabis delivery service in Colorado, I am working to establish contracts with dispensaries throughout the state, nurture the stores I currently deliver for (Shoutout to Native Roots and L’Eagle Services), empower my drivers to be their best, all while serving the community!

Helen Gomez Andrews:

At long last, The High End is on track to introduce our clean-extracted and hand-crafted cannabis products to the Massachusetts market, partnering with independent sun-grown and living soil cultivators and processing in our solventless lab. Our indoor living soil gardens are finally in development too and will be ready to go closer to the end of this year.

Additional thoughts?

Michael Diaz-Rivera:

Thank you Tahir Johnson for starting this program and Mike Lomuto for taking it to the next level. Infinite gratitude to all of my fellow business owners that have helped me to get to this point in my business journey! The Marathon Continues! Better Days Are On The Way

Helen Gomez Andrews:

Immense gratitude to Mike Lomuto for understanding each of our goals in business and advocacy, and ensuring we can contribute to issues that matter to us beyond the obvious DEI work. Without question, DEI advocacy is vital, but we amongst the equity scholars have a diversity of other goals as well. In particular, I’d like to thank Mike for championing Sustainability and organizing a group of members from a working group into an influential body within NCIA that has an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.



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7 Non-Clinical Health Care Jobs to Pursue in 2024 and Beyond

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Health Care Consultants act as trusted advisors to healthcare organizations, providing expert guidance on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing patient care. They assess operations, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and formulate strategic recommendations. Their expertise spans various areas, including finance, operations, technology, and regulatory compliance.



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Cannabis Training University Unveils Florida Cannabis Training Certification Program

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Press Release

Florida cannabis training program online

Cannabis Training University-Leading Cannabis School

Master Grower Certification from Cannabis Training University

Cannabis Training University, the leader in cannabis education, is thrilled to announce its all-new Florida Cannabis Training Certification Program.

Cannabis Training University is pleased to offer such a discounted rate for our Florida cannabis training program to all Florida residents who are interested in a cannabis career.” – Jeff Zorn, CEOORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES , January 5, 2024 /EINPresswire / — Cannabis Training University , a pioneering institution in cannabis education, is thrilled to announce the launch of its all-new Florida Cannabis Training Certification Program . This groundbreaking online program is specifically tailored for Florida residents, offering them an unprecedented chance to gain comprehensive cannabis education at an incredibly discounted rate.

Since its inception in 2009 as the first online cannabis college, Cannabis Training University has set the bar high, with over 70,000 graduates from around the globe, boasting the highest number in the industry. This legacy of excellence is now accessible to Floridians seeking to make their mark in the flourishing cannabis sector.

A Spectrum of Florida Cannabis Job Opportunities:

The Florida Cannabis Training Certification Program, presented by Cannabis Training University, encompasses a vast array of courses designed to equip individuals for various roles in the cannabis industry. These include:
.Dispensary and Budtender positions
.Cannabis cultivation
.Cannabis extraction techniques
.Medical cannabis applications
.Cannabis trimming skills
.Guidance on establishing legal cannabis businesses in Florida
.Cannabis marketing jobs
.
Competitive Edge in the Job Market:

With the cannabis industry rapidly expanding in Florida, the demand for knowledgeable and certified professionals is at an all-time high. This online Florida cannabis college program offers more than 350 hours of content, providing an in-depth understanding of the industry at a fraction of the cost of traditional four-year colleges. Graduates like Kevin Oats from Tampa, Florida, who said, “I took the Master of Marijuana Certification program online from Cannabis Training University and was able to get a budtender job at a leading Florida dispensary thanks to my knowledge and certification I received from CTU!” exemplify the practical benefits of this education.

Lucrative Cannabis Career Paths:

The program also sheds light on the salary prospects within the Florida cannabis industry, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available to trained professionals. From entry-level positions to specialized roles, the earning potential in this sector is a compelling aspect for job seekers.

Enrollment and Access:

For a limited time, Florida residents can enroll in this exclusive program by visiting Cannabis Training University. This is a rare chance to gain industry-recognized certifications and elevate career prospects in the dynamic world of cannabis. Enroll in the Master of Cannabis Certification Program today and learn all the latest Florida cannabis laws and regulations and prepare for a Florida cannabis job.

About Cannabis Training University:

Cannabis Training University is renowned as the leading cannabis school globally, setting the standard in cannabis education. Since pioneering online cannabis learning in 2009, CTU has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive, accessible, and affordable cannabis education to students worldwide.

Join the ranks of successful CTU graduates and transform your future in the cannabis industry. Enroll today and embark on a journey of learning and professional growth!

 



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Media Report: N.J. university’s cannabis course looks to dispel stigma about pot, hemp

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NJ.com

The second year of the Cannabis and Hemp Research Initiative at Stockton University is sprouting new ideas, and new plants.

It’s the second year Stockton has grown the plants to conduct agricultural and nonmedical cannabis and hemp research, according to a statement from the university. The hemp is part of a botanical class of cannabis sativa grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use. It has little to almost no THC, the major psychoactive component of cannabis.

Read more at 

https://www.nj.com/news/2023/10/nj-universitys-cannabis-course-looks-to-dispel-stigma-about-pot-hemp.html



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