The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) recently announced the release of the full core curriculum for the Cannabis Training Academy (CTA): 10 levels of online coursework designed to guide and empower entrepreneurs, operators, and staff in New Jersey’s evolving cannabis industry. The rollout marks a significant milestone in the state’s effort to lower entry barriers and build an inclusive, well-informed industry. READ MORE: NJ.gov

Here’s a breakdown of the program—what it includes, who it serves, and what participants receive upon completion.

What is the CTA?

Launched in October 2024 by NJBAC in partnership with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), the Cannabis Training Academy is a no-cost, online technical assistance and training program for New Jersey residents aged 21 and older who are interested in participating in the adult-use cannabis industry.

The goal: provide comprehensive, step-by-step education on the state’s cannabis landscape—covering everything from regulatory history and license types, to municipal approval, zoning, business planning, and day-to-day operations. According to NJBAC:

“By learning from leading experts … students gain the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions that benefit themselves, their families, and their communities.”

The Full Curriculum: 10 Levels, 60+ Courses

With the recent announcement, the CTA now offers 10 levels of training, composed of more than 60 modular courses. MORE ABOUT: NJBIZ

Key features of the curriculum include:

• Asynchronous online learning—on your own pace, 24/7 access via computer, tablet or phone. MORE ABOUT: Heady NJ
• A mix of content formats: pre-recorded webinars, interviews with subject-matter experts (including legacy and regulated operators), live Q&A sessions, and student knowledge checks/quizzes.
• Modules covering essential topics:
  • Licensing application requirements for NJ-CRC
  • Municipal approval and zoning issues
  • Business planning and financial strategies
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), insurance, site selection
  • Post-licensing operations, compliance, and workforce issues
• Access to RSVP opportunities for online and in-person events tied to the cannabis ecosystem in New Jersey.
• Free of cost—no tuition for eligible New Jersey residents.

NJBAC highlights that when the program initially launched it offered fewer modules (27 courses across 5 levels) and has since expanded to full scale in just months.

Who is this for—and why does it matter?

The CTA is designed to serve a broad audience:

• Aspiring cannabis business owners (cultivation, dispensary, manufacturing, ancillary services).
• Operators looking to expand or convert licenses.
• Employees in the cannabis sector seeking professional development.
• Residents of “Impact Zones” (areas disproportionately affected by past cannabis prohibition) seeking meaningful participation in the legal industry. READ MORE: Marijuana Moment

Why it matters:

• Navigating the cannabis licensing and regulatory process can be complex, expensive and opaque. The CTA effectively functions as state-sponsored, no-cost consulting and training, potentially replacing tens of thousands of dollars in outside fees.
• By making the curriculum freely available, New Jersey is working to promote an inclusive industry where historically marginalized groups can build capacity and access opportunities.
• A better-trained workforce and more informed business owners means safer operations, improved compliance, and stronger outcomes for consumers and communities. As NJ-CRC Vice Chair Sam Delgado put it: “Having knowledgeable operators and well-trained staff … makes for efficient businesses, but also safer consumers.”

What you get once you complete the program

Completion confers tangible benefits. Key points:

• After you finish the final (10th) level and all required assessments, you receive an official CTA certification.
• That certification can be included in your NJ-CRC cannabis license application as proof of prior business experience. In other words, it strengthens your application package by demonstrating you’ve completed rigorous training.
• The certificate is recognized by state regulators, and positions the holder to train staff, build internal capacity, and demonstrate compliance readiness.
• Since the program is online and self-paced, participants have the flexibility to complete modules while working, building business plans, or preparing for licensing.

Good to Know: Practical Details & Access

• The CTA is free for eligible New Jersey residents (21+).
• You can access the CTA portal anytime—24/7—on your device.
• Registration and course catalog are available via the NJBAC/CTA website.
• While the core curriculum is open broadly, certain levels and content may emphasize or prioritize applicants located in or serving Impact Zones.
• The CTA has already amassed significant traction: by June 2025, more than 1,300 persons enrolled; by October 2025, more than 1,700.
• Additional content is now available in Spanish, helping broaden accessibility.

Why this is a big deal for New Jersey’s cannabis ecosystem

The launch and completion of the curriculum represents more than just a training program—it’s a strategic investment in capacity building for the state’s legal cannabis industry. Here’s what it signals:

• New Jersey is moving past early-stage licensing chaos and into a phase where knowledge infrastructure matters. Training like this helps elevate industry standards.
• The state is clearly emphasizing equity and access, by removing cost barriers and providing pathways for communities historically impacted by prohibition.
• With trained operators and entrepreneurs, the legal industry is better poised to compete with the illicit market, meet consumer demand, and deliver jobs and investment to local communities.
• For you, Joe, who is deeply involved in cannabis industry news, writing, and business strategy, this curriculum becomes a content anchor: you can reference it in articles about workforce development, licensing readiness, and industry training. It also provides concrete examples you can leverage for story angles—e.g., how training influences business launch success or license award outcomes.

Final Words

The NJBAC’s announcement of the full 10-level curriculum for the CTA is a milestone worth monitoring. Whether you’re a prospective operator, an industry writer, or someone tracking how states develop legal cannabis frameworks, the CTA offers a model of how a jurisdiction can institutionalize training, reduce entry barriers, and build a smarter, more inclusive ecosystem.

For those ready to jump in: register, dig into the modules, earn the certificate—and use it as a stepping stone into New Jersey’s cannabis market. For observers and reporters: this is a story about capacity, equity, and industry maturation.