Programming and early networking opportunities launched for approved social equity cannabis businesses  

OAKLAND, Calif. (December 14, 2022) — The State of Connecticut’s Social Equity Council has selected Oaksterdam University, America’s first cannabis college, in partnership with reSET, the social impact focused entrepreneurial support organization based in Hartford, to provide a Cannabis Business Accelerator Program in Connecticut. 

Technical business assistance and entrepreneurial support will be available through the program to legacy cannabis operators to ensure regulatory compliance and industry best practices, as well as to verified social equity applicants planning to start licensed cannabis businesses. Programming and early networking opportunities will be launching in the late fall of 2022. 

This first-of-its-kind partnership pairs Oaksterdam Univerity’s easy-to-use technology platform and ability to bring global best practices from cannabis stakeholders such as Arcview, the International Cannabis Bar Association, and the Minority Cannabis Business Association, with reSET’s human-centered expertise in working with cohorts of Connecticut entrepreneurs to build community and business acumen, along with local stakeholder partners in law, accounting, workforce development and regional cannabis industry entrepreneurs. 

“We are thrilled to be selected to provide technical assistance for the State of Connecticut,” says OU Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones. “We can help legacy operators mitigate risks, become self-directed, and be better able to leverage the opportunities presented in the legal marketplace.” 

“reSET is excited that the Social Equity Council recognized our expertise in building entrepreneurship in the community, and chose our partnership with Oaksterdam University to build industry knowledge, equity and inclusivity to the developing legal cannabis industry in Connecticut,” said Sarah Bodley, reSET Executive Director. “We are excited to get started solidifying the expertise in Connecticut’s emerging cannabis sector, positioning it for long-term sustainability and success.” 

Connecticut’s Social Equity Council was developed to ensure the state’s adult-use cannabis program is grown equitably and that funds are brought back to the communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs. 

For more questions about the State of Connecticut’s Social Equity Council Accelerator Program, email SEC@CT.GOV. If you are a journalist interested in learning more or scheduling an interview with Oaksterdam University Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones, contact OU Communications Specialist Wensdy Von Buskirk at wensdy@oaksterdamuniversity.com.

ABOUT OAKSTERDAM UNIVERSITY

Based in Oakland, Calif., Oaksterdam University is America’s first cannabis college and the first academic institution to promote equity in the cannabis space, to lower barriers to cannabis licensing, entrepreneurship, and employment. Connecticut joins several municipalities that have contracted Oaksterdam as a trusted provider, most notably the Cities of Oakland, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs, as well as the City and County of San Francisco and Monterey, California. 

Oaksterdam University has been the forerunner in providing the highest quality training to people interested in a career in the cannabis industry. OU’s faculty comprises professionals, academics, and subject matter experts who have taught over 80,000 OU alums from 110 countries.  

Oaksterdam offers live virtual and self-paced certification courses, including The Business of Cannabis, Horticulture, Budtending, Extraction, and Manufacturing. 

OU certificates are recognized industry-wide, and a new educational partnership with Golden Gate University makes it possible for our certifications to transfer up to 18 credits toward a Bachelor’s Degree in the Business of Cannabis. 

With roots growing 25 years deep, OU is a dynamic, diverse, and responsive academic institute dedicated to educating the global cannabis community, industry, regulators, and government. Visit OaksterdamUniversity.com.