Responsible Workforce Training: What Every Cannabis Licensee in NY Needs to Know

by | Sep 16, 2026

Responsible Workforce Training: What Every Cannabis Licensee in NY Needs to Know


Every individual conducting operations under a licensed cannabis business must complete the Responsible Workforce Training (RWT) within 30 days of starting work, as mandated by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). This is a mandatory requirement for compliance with New York’s adult-use cannabis regulations.


What Is RWT?


The RWT consists of four components, each designed to ensure a safe, equitable, and informed workplace:

  • Cannabis Product Safety & Responsibility: Covers product safety, regulatory standards, and best practices, developed by OCM.
  • Cannabis Workforce Responsibility: Focuses on labor rights, workplace health and safety, created by the NY State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).
  • Licensee-Specific Training: Tailored instruction by you (the licensee), covering specific activities permitted under your license. May include on-the-job or written training.
  • Implicit Bias or Cultural Competency Training: Addresses unconscious bias and fosters cultural sensitivity in the workplace.

The licensee is required to provide this education as well as verifying and documenting completion. This includes ensuring the training is free and paid, with training provided during normal work hours with employee compensation at usual pay. The licensee must ensure all 4 components are completed by all staff members within the 30-day timeframe. Once individuals complete RWT, they will complete a training verification form that the licensee must collect and retain as part of compliance records.


Why RWT Matters


Ensuring completion of RWT by all staff that works under a licensed cannabis business ensures legal compliance. Without this, you jeopardize your license. Moreover, this training is designed to protect staff and consumers, promoting a safe and equitable work environment and high-quality products. Ultimately, ensuring RWT training of your staff demonstrates your business’s commitment to strong labor standards and public health.


Your Quick-Action Checklist

  • Ensure all employees, contractors, managers, and volunteers complete the 4 RWT components within 30 days of starting work.
  • Host and monitor training during regular work hours.
  • Pay employees their regular wages for time spent training.
  • Collect signed Training Verification Forms and keep them on file.
  • Be prepared for compliance checks; RWT documentation is essential. Access the OCM’s RWT videos and verification forms via the OCM site.

Complying with RWT is not just a regulatory box to check, but it strengthens your operation, protects your work team, and aligns you with New York’s standards for a safe and equitable cannabis industry.


Need help integrating RWT into your onboarding or compliance process? I’d be happy to assist with templates, roll-out plans, or staff communication materials. Reach out to Tracy at [email protected].


Tracy Jong is a Senior Attorney at Evans Fox LLP with 30 years of experience focusing her practice in business law, intellectual property and licensing for alcohol and cannabis. Tracy Jong is a member of the New York Bar and is a registered attorney at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She can be reached at [email protected].


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The content has been prepared for informational purposes only; it should not be construed as legal advice, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel.