A New
Beginning
Starts Here

Paid cannabis industry training for Chicagoans with cannabis records

Next Cohort Start Date: March 14th

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$1000 monthly stipend

Transportation assistance

Career development in cannabis industry

Onsite counselors

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Target Population: Individuals impacted by violence who have a cannabis charge.

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Target Population: Individuals with violence involvement who have cannabis records.

Must:

  • Have a cannabis-related charge on criminal record
  • Be at highest risk of violence as defined below

There is no age restriction or gender or racial limitation for participation.
Definition of “highest risk of violence”

To qualify as highest risk, participants are required to meet A or B and at least one of C, D, E or F. Either A or B must be verifiable through institutional records or persons familiar with community and ongoing violence dynamics.

A: Active street involvement

  • In actively violent group (e.g. gang/group/clique) [OR]
  • Reputation or key role in group (influencer) [OR]
  • Family history of activity in violent group

B: Historical justice-system involvement

  • Recently released from jail/prison/other detention facility [OR]
  • Multiple prior arrests, charges, or convictions for violent felonies

C: Previous victimization

  • Recent victim of violence [OR]
  • Family/friend of recent victim of violence

D: Violent online behavior

  • Aggressive or violent online behaviors such as instigating or threatening violence or accepting credit for violence

E: Symptoms of trauma

  • Response to a trauma screening or assessment

F: Disconnected from school

  • Chronically absent from school and/or in the process of disengaging

The Details

The Program

The Cannabis Dispensary Operations Certificate prepares students to work in a licensed cannabis dispensary and introduces students to the basics of legally dispensing cannabis in a licensed setting.  Students will gain an understanding of the legal environment of dispensary operations in alignment with state and federal laws that regulate cannabis distribution to clients. Students will acquire skills to interact with and educate cannabis clients in a regulated environment, as well as obtain the foundational knowledge to pursue additional careers in the cannabis industry.

The Schedule

Classes will be conducted 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday) from 9am - 2pm at Olive Harvey College. (10001 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60628)

Support

All participants will receive:

  • $1000 a month stipend
  • Transportation assistance
  • 2 week career development program in advance of classes
  • On site support via counselors  

Our Partners

Apply Now

All we need is your name and best contact information to get started. Once you submit your information, someone from our intake team will help take you through the admissions process. Please be sure to check our eligibility requirements before applying. If you are unsure if you qualify, please apply anyway and we will help answer any questions you may have. We look forward to working with you.

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