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A major move in higher education signals the convergence of culinary innovation and cannabis legalization. Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Community College (KCC), in collaboration with New York City College of Technology (City Tech), recently received over $1 million from the CUNY Workforce Development Training Grant/Contract Courses for the rollout of a cannabis culinary certification. The grant will support the launch of a new credential and micro-credential program in culinary cannabis.
This initiative will prepare students for a rapidly evolving industry with significant growth potential. According to global market research firm, MetaTech, the cannabis infused food market is poised to grow from $11 billion to more than $46 billion by 2035.
The certification program is expected to train at least 250 students over the next three years at both campuses. At the heart of the curriculum is the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) Specialized Certificate in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles. The certification verifies that students can safely prepare and handle cannabis-infused foods.
A Timely Response to Legal and Industry Shifts
This initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for New York’s cannabis industry. Since the state legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, the market has gradually expanded to include on-site consumption lounges, dispensaries, and cannabis-infused food and beverage products. As of August 2025, New York boasts over 440 operational adult-use dispensaries and more than 1,600 licenses have been issued statewide.
The legalization of on-site consumption has opened new doors for culinary entrepreneurs who will undoubtedly face the same, if not stricter, quality standards applied to traditional food manufacturing. This, in turn, is creating demand for credentialed culinary cannabis experts. Consequently, employers are seeking skilled staff who can uphold quality control and food safety standards.
Supporting Equity and Career Mobility
Christine Zagari-LoPorto, Associate Dean for Workforce Development, Continuing Education and Strategic Community Partnerships at KCC, emphasized the program’s broader social mission.
When speaking with the KCC News, Zagari-LoPorto said, “Kingsborough is committed to helping low-income food preparation workers learn new skills so they can find jobs in these new specialized culinary occupations and assisting those with marijuana convictions to redirect their knowledge of the plant and their business expertise.”
This aspect of the program aligns closely with New York’s commitment to cannabis justice and economic equity. Through other initiatives like the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses—which prioritize individuals impacted by prior cannabis enforcement—New York has shown a willingness to use cannabis industry growth as a tool for redress and opportunity.
Zagari-LoPorto added that KCC plans to align the new culinary cannabis certification with the college’s existing Green Flower Cannabis training programs, which focus on cannabis education and workforce preparation.
“By pairing this program with our current Green Flower Cannabis training programs, we are helping to meet employers’ needs in addition to creating career pathways in an emerging—and soon to be bustling—culinary cannabis economy,” she said.
This latest program is part of KCC’s workforce strategy to train students for jobs in high-demand sectors such as health, technology, and hospitality. It offers pathways to employment for underserved communities and career changers, with a focus on accessibility, relevance, and job placement.
Bridging Education and Industry
City Tech shares a similar mission. Founded in 1946 as the designated college of technology for the City University of New York (CUNY), City Tech provides more than 50 degree programs spanning health, business, hospitality, and engineering. Its downtown Brooklyn location places it at the heart of one of the city’s fastest-growing innovation corridors.
Together, KCC and City Tech are uniquely positioned to shape New York’s culinary cannabis workforce from the ground up.
City Tech brings a robust hospitality management infrastructure to the partnership. Its Division of Continuing Education will work closely with its internationally accredited hospitality department. The partnerships will ensure that the new cannabis curriculum meets both academic and market needs.
“Funding from [the CUNY Workforce Development Training Grant] will allow the college to incorporate best practices into existing and new curricula and prepare students for the new cannabis-infused dining and tourism landscape,” said Carol Sonnenblick, Dean of Continuing Education at City Tech, to KCC News. This sets the stage for a future where tourists may come to New York for cannabis tasting menus, infused cocktails, and gourmet edibles.
Such a vision is not far-fetched. In cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, cannabis dining experiences are already becoming mainstream. With New York’s extensive restaurant and tourism infrastructure, the market for cannabis cuisine is expected to grow quickly.
Certification and Curriculum Details
The Specialized Certificate in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles from the ACF is one of the most reputable credentials in the field.
In addition to technical training, students will also explore topics such as:
- The endocannabinoid system and culinary applications
- Cannabis strain identification and flavor pairing
- Food safety, kitchen design, and ventilation for infused food production
- Labeling, packaging, and dosage calculation
- New York State cannabis laws and compliance for food businesses
Micro-credentials will be available for students who wish to specialize in a particular aspect of the industry, such as beverage infusion or compliance.
Why It Matters Now
The cannabis food and beverage space is evolving faster than regulation can keep up. New York’s Office of Cannabis Management has already started revising rules around packaging, promotions, and public consumption. Yet for the industry to succeed, it needs a reliable pipeline of talent trained not only in culinary excellence but also in cannabis safety and legality.
This training initiative stands at the intersection of education, equity, and economic development. It prepares students to join a new class of food professionals and entrepreneurs. It acknowledges past harms of cannabis criminalization while helping to build a more inclusive future. And it provides local businesses with the qualified staff they need to innovate safely.
For line cooks seeking career advancement, former underground operators looking to enter the legal market, hospitality veterans eager to explore a new frontier, and everyone in between, this program offers an unprecedented opportunity.
As the cannabis culinary movement gains momentum, Brooklyn’s public colleges are making sure New Yorkers are first in line—aprons on, gloves ready, and skills certified.
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