The Minority Cannabis Academy (MCA) is launching applications for its 5th cohort of students for those interested in practical NJ cannabis workforce education.
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They seek to provide NJ cannabis workforce development and technical assistance for underserved communities.
Their program is designed to move students into sustainable, high-impact careers through technical mastery and elite networking opportunities.
The 8-week intensive program will run from May 11th to June 29th. Applications open March 26th at 9:00 a.m.
The MCA program is designed to give students both foundational knowledge and real-world insight into the cannabis industry. They’re offering three tracks in this upcoming cohort. Experienced industry operators lead each track:
- Entrepreneur Program – taught by Corey Jackson of The Other Side Dispensary, former Director of Operations for Ayr Wellness and Ascend Cannabis.
- Extraction 101 – taught by Clyde Clarevsky, former Lab Operations Manager for Ayr Wellness.
- Budtending 101 – taught by Venancio Morales, former General Manager of Nirvana Dispensary.
Notably, they pre-test students in Week 1 and post-test them in Week 8 to measure growth.
The MCA has established itself as a powerful engine for NJ cannabis workforce development. They have graduated over 150 students into the industry. It maintains a 92% enrollment rate.
Their alumni have gone on to work across the industry as budtenders, cultivators, and ancillary roles at ancillary businesses. In addition, MCA alumni have also gone on to launch and operate their own dispensaries.
Alan Ao is a past instructor who was a 2025 Budtender’s Ball nominee for Educator of the Year. He used to work for Ayr and is now operating Vigor dispensary in Matawan in Monmouth County.
Partnerships for NJ Cannabis Workforce Education
MCA’s network of institutional and industry partners provides students with direct access to real-world opportunities from day one.
Their past/current partnerships include collaborating with Rutgers University for rigorous curriculum standards.
They have also worked alongside Jersey Smooth, AYR Wellness, Ascend Cannabis, and Cannabist to facilitate direct recruitment, guest lectures, and hands-on facility exposure.
Many dispensary applicants had planned to use their services to train their workers before the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board.
Minority Cannabis Academy Background
MCA was founded by Brendon Robinson and Stanley Okoro. Robinson and Okoro remain dedicated to social reinvestment to ensure advocacy translates into tangible action.
MCA was born from a need for true representation in the billion-dollar legal NJ cannabis industry. This year, the Academy’s mission is strengthened by a premier partnership with the craft manufacturer Jersey Smooth, which is sponsoring the Cohort Class.
“We believe in investing in people and building pathways into the industry. Partnering with the Minority Cannabis Academy aligns directly with our commitment to supporting education, opportunity, and the future of cannabis in New Jersey,” said Aslan Zadeh, CEO of Jersey Smooth.
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to excellence
and community uplift. It will provide the resources necessary to scale MCA’s impact.
Robinson has been very active in New Jersey cannabis as an advocate, educator, and businessman for quite some time. He has been spearheading the NJ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce recently.
Robinson and Okoro had a deal with Ayr for their Mudd Brothers cannabis hash concentrate brand.
They also run 420NJEvents.com highlighting different items of note.
The Mudd Brothers also partnered with NECANN last year on their Cannabis Cup.
NJ Cannabis Workforce Education Programs Bloom
Several NJ colleges have launched cannabis education programs in the wake of legalization. Stockton University spearheaded a Cannabis Studies minor and a major. Rowan University launched a cannabis think tank, along with holding a great range of classes.
Rutgers Law School has launched a professional cannabis education program too.
Many community colleges have established programs as well.
The NJ Cannabis Training Academy (CTA) is backed by the State of New Jersey’s Business Action Center. It opened in 2024 and is providing a great deal of education to many. While it was initially geared toward business owners, there is a lot of good information there for workers as well.
