Financial, legal and regulatory experts will address issues vital to the state’s new recreational cannabis market.

Rohnert Park, California (May 5, 2017) – California is preparing for full recreational cannabis legalization on New Year’s Day, 2018.

This means the state with one of the oldest and most durable marijuana cultures and economies will soon be home to what is expected to become the world’s largest legal marijuana market.

Northern California, meanwhile, is the epicenter of California’s cannabis culture; a region where growers, producers and marijuana enthusiasts have worked for decades to craft many of the manufacturing, processing and legal protocols currently in use across the state.

In an effort to assist those interested in this historic evolution of California’s cannabis market, Sonoma State University’s School of Extended & International Education is offering a Cannabis in California Workshop on Friday, June 9th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Those attending the day’s workshop will hear lectures from experts on the state’s legal, regulatory and public policy issues regarding the emerging legal cannabis industry, and can seek advice and information on cannabis accounting and tax compliance procedures.

Among those scheduled to speak at the workshop are criminal defense attorney Omar Figueroa, an expert in cannabis law, Dale Gieringer, the director of California NORML who also co-authored Proposition 215; the state’s medical marijuana initiative, and Hank Levy, CPA, of The Henry Levy Group, an expert in cannabis accounting and tax compliance.

Some of the regulatory issues on the agenda for workshop participants are:

Track and trace programs, compliance and cost, health and safety training for cannabis business employees, managing the risk profile of your cannabis accounts, preparing your cannabis organization for legal compliance audits.

"In California and more broadly in the United States, the cannabis industry’s multibillion dollar legal footprint in the economy reflects a sea change in societal perceptions of cannabis,” says Robert Eyler, Ph.D, Dean of the School of Extended and International Education.

Negotiating the financial and regulatory aspects of legal marijuana, as presented in this workshop, are vital in helping the state establish and professionalize its legal cannabis industry.

“This wave of new enterprise creates the need for educational institutions that teach students to navigate the industry as professionals,” he adds. “There will be a high demand for professional workforce development in the cannabis industry: accounting professionals, human resources management, placement services, regulatory experts, and other skilled professionals as these businesses grow.”

"The impetus behind the creation of a cannabis program at Sonoma State University is to foster workforce development and to teach legal and accounting principles specific to the industry,” says Jason Snyder, Program Director of Sonoma State University’s Cannabis Program. “Our goal is to professionalize the cannabis workforce here in Sonoma County and beyond."

Workshop Details:

Register online at: Cannabis Workshop

Location: Sonoma State University, Stevenson 1002

1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Date: Friday, June 9th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

General Daily Parking: $5.00. Lot E is closest to Stevenson.

There is an entry fee of $99 per person for the workshop. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. –workshop participants are advised to come early. Lunch will be provided and students will be awarded 0.75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) awarded upon attendance.

For More Information: http://sonoma.edu/exed/cannabis/

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About Sonoma State University’s School of Extended & International Education:

Throughout the year, the School of Extended & International Education offers a wide variety of innovative, high quality professional development courses and certificates. We take pride in creating learning opportunities for career advancement, career change and personal growth. Many courses are scheduled on weekends and evenings, and online for the busy adult.

Disclaimer:

Notwithstanding Proposition 64 and other state laws, the possession, use, transport, cultivation, and sale of marijuana remain illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Moreover, as a recipient of federal funds, Sonoma State University is required under federal law to: (1) maintain a drug-free community; (2) prevent illegal drug use; and (3) discipline students and employees who unlawfully possess, use, or distribute illegal drugs on University property or at University-sponsored activities. Accordingly, the use, possession, cultivation, transport, and/or sale of marijuana is prohibited on Sonoma State University campus property, and at University-sponsored activities, whether on- or off-campus.