Silly Nice, a black- and veteran-owned cannabis brand, has joined forces with the Cannabis Justice & Equity Initiative (CJEI). This partnership is dedicated to supporting communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis prohibition through education, training, and employment opportunities.
At the heart of CJEI’s efforts is the Training, Education & Employment (TEE) Program, a free, 16-week training and certification initiative. Designed to develop a skilled labor force of 1,500 individuals annually, the program provides education on:
- Cultivation and processing
- Workforce protections and labor rights
- Retail and dispensary operations
- Career development and entrepreneurship
- Ancillary opportunities in the cannabis industry
The collaboration between Silly Nice and CJEI is driven by a shared commitment to economic justice. As New York’s cannabis industry is projected to generate $3.5 billion annually and create over 60,000 jobs, the need for inclusive hiring, equitable access, and workforce development has never been greater.
However, the industry’s rapid expansion exists alongside stark racial disparities. In 2020, 94% of marijuana-related arrests by the NYPD involved people of color, underscoring the importance of initiatives that address past injustices while creating tangible opportunities for those most affected.
By combining Silly Nice’s industry expertise with CJEI’s education and workforce training programs, this partnership is designed to drive systemic change, increase diversity in the cannabis sector, and create lasting economic opportunities for justice-impacted communities.
