The Cannabis Industry is Grappling with Education Requirements
To diversify their applicant pool, many sectors are removing college degree requirements for jobs. However, this counters the growing number of programs for cannabis higher education. There are arguments for and against having a college degree requirement for marijuana industry jobs. Many feel that the industry itself was built on risk-takers who did not have college degrees. There are also many jobs in the sector where some feel a degree would be of no value. On the other hand, with more colleges and universities offering programs tailored to the marijuana industry, some feel it would be unjust not to consider this for certain positions. Cannabis business owners have said a hybrid model where some of their workforce has relevant experience and some have higher education is what will help the industry continue to flourish.
Connecticut Gets an Influx of License Applications Before Deadline
With plans to launch their adult-use market by the end of this year, regulators made May 4th the deadline for cannabis store licenses. With that date looming right around the corner, officials say applications are pouring in. The state’s consumer protection department, which is the marijuana regulatory agency for the state, has received 4,715 applications for eight different types of licenses. Approximately two-thirds of those applications are from those seeking retail marijuana licenses, and almost 2,000 applications arrived in the last week alone. Officials plan to select winners via a lottery system.
Two Legalization Bills Rejected by New Hampshire Senate
Last week, the New Hampshire Senate rejected two separate House-passed cannabis legalization bills. One of the bills would have legalized possession and home cultivation for adults, but would not have created a legal industry for the state. The other measure would have created a regulated market. According to a recent survey, nearly three out of four voters in the state support legalization, and many lawmakers feel that it is time for New Hampshire to take this step. Advocates were supportive of the non-commercial legislation that would have allowed for legal possession and home growing and viewed it as a potential interim step to full legalization. However, both bills were soundly defeated in Senate votes.
