The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has officially launched the Cannabis Responsible Workforce Training Program, a mandatory training initiative for all individuals performing activities under a licensed cannabis business. This program ensures that cannabis workers are equipped with essential knowledge about product safety, labor rights, and workplace responsibilities.
Mandatory Training Requirements
Under Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations (§125.5), all employees must complete the following four training components within 30 days of starting work:
- Cannabis Product Safety and Responsibility – Developed by OCM, this course covers health and safety best practices in the regulated cannabis industry.
- Cannabis Workforce Responsibility – Created by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), this course focuses on labor standards and workplace health and safety.
- Implicit Bias Training – Employers must provide implicit bias training to help employees recognize and mitigate bias in the workplace.
- Job-Specific Training – Employers must also provide at least two hours of training specific to the licensed activity their employees will perform.
For more information visit: https://cannabis.ny.gov/workforce
IMPORTANT: Training Must Be Paid and Conducted During Work Hours!
Employers generally must pay employees for time spent in mandatory training that is directly related to their job and occurs during regular work hours, as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). OCM regulations require that all Responsible Workforce Training courses be completed during employees’ regular work hours and that employees receive their usual rate of pay while completing any required training.
The Cannabis Workforce Initiative (CWI) has developed a free Implicit Bias course and Job-Specific Trainings for employees in different parts of the industry. These new courses satisfy the requirements for new hires not provided by OCM, at no cost to employers.
Visit our Responsible Workforce Training Course Page to get learn more and get started!
*These resources are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
