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On the rich soil of the Black Dirt Region
News
- 06-Mar-2023
06-Mar-2023 Following the completion of our fifth cohort, we have produced 40 certified Cannabis Sampling Technicians across the state. These CSTs are based in 20 counties covering NYC and Long Island, the Hudson River Valley, Capital District and Western New York. To find a qualified cannabis sampling technician, visit our Registry.
10-Feb-2023 The public comment period for NYS Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) ends on February 13. If you are considering applying for an adult-use license, or if you already have a license, learn what your obligations will be under these regulations. Self-test and completion certificate at no charge.
Schedule of Training Events
Cannabis Sampling Technician /
Cannabis Laboratory Sampling Firm Bootcamp
(NYCRR Title 9 § 130.20 Compliance)
Upcoming Sessions:
Saturday, April 22, 2023 (11:00am-2:00pm), Commack, NY (Suffolk County)
“Graduates of this course who are employed by a cannabis sampling firm and are compliant with NYCRR Title 9 Part 130 requirements may conduct sampling. Cannabis laboratory sampling firms may use this course as evidence of staff training to obtain OCM approval.” (NYS OCM 28 November 2022)
New Opportunity created by OCM
Become a Cannabis Sampling Technician or Start a Cannabis Laboratory Sampling Firm
The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has created a new occupation embedded within the recreational cannabis ecosystem: the Cannabis Sampling Technician (and firm).
All recreational products must be tested prior to entering the marketplace; and all samples must be obtained by a cannabis sampling technician, employed by a cannabis laboratory sampling firm.
The Need
There is an immediate market need for Cannabis Sampling Technicians and OCM approved Cannabis Laboratory Sampling Firms.
What do Cannabis Sampling Technicians and Firms do?
Cannabis Sampling Technicians obtain unbiased samples of final product before it is released to the market, and securely convey these to cannabis testing laboratories. Sampling technicians are a critical link in the production process, assuring both chain of custody and data integrity relative to every product lot destined for the adult-use marketplace. New York will require several hundred cannabis sampling technicians during its first full year of retail markets.
This job places heavy emphasis on data integrity and record keeping. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
OCM requires that persons already certified by the NYS Department of Agriculture as Hemp Sampling Agents must receive Cannabis Sampling Technician training to qualify for employment in the adult-use cannabis industry.
The Training
This Cannabis Sampling Technician course will involve 6-hours of face-to-face instruction at a working cannabis industry facility.
Training will cover all OCM mandated topics, as well as additional knowledge designed for success. Actual sampling techniques will be practiced. Methods for avoiding contamination in sampling, packaging and delivery to the laboratory will be covered. In addition, great emphasis will be placed on an understanding of the law and regulations, particularly pertaining to data integrity, record keeping and compliance. Finally, general steps required to establish a cannabis laboratory sampling firm will be discussed.
Successful completion will be determined based on tests of both general knowledge and laboratory sampling technique. Completion certificate is good for one (1) calendar year. OCM requires annual training refresher.
Cannabis Sampling Technicians may seek NYS OCM approval to operate as cannabis sampling firms themselves; they may be employed by other approved sampling firms; or they may be employed by a permitted cannabis laboratory.