The Cannabis Business Office, in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, announced on Jan. 31 a partnership with Make Green Go! to implement a technical assistance program for new cannabis ventures.
Gov. Jared Polis and state lawmakers established the CBO in July 2021 with the passage of Senate Bill 111 to create equitable economic opportunities for diverse populations, produce more well-paid jobs within the industry and grow Colorado’s cannabis industry and community. The office is focused on developing new programming to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the cannabis industry with a priority on social equity licensees.
“As the first state where voters supported legalizing the recreational use of cannabis, Colorado is a leader on programs, research and education that continue to create jobs and opportunities in the cannabis industry,” said Polis in the Jan. 31 announcement. “We are thrilled to announce this work to make Colorado even more of a national leader.”
The CBO teamed up with Make Green Go!, a group established in 2010 that provides business development services to social equity communities. The CBO and Make Green Go! will develop, launch and deliver programming centered on foundational business development in the cannabis industry.
“This new partnership is designed to be accessible and offered on-demand to accommodate the various schedules of our participants,” said Make Green Go! Consultant La Wanda Knox in the Jan. 31 news release.
Cannabis Business Technical Assistance program participants will provide 15 free, self-paced modules to help entrepreneurs develop business plans, discover market opportunities and strategies, understand financial elements, develop pitches and marketing materials and more.
The program is scheduled to open Feb. 2. The Jan. 31 release noted this technical assistance program is a prerequisite to the Cannabis Business Pilot Grant, unless supplemented by a partnership technical assistance program.
OEDIT noted Jan. 31 that interested parties and businesses can sign up for the Cannabis Business Office monthly newsletter.