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Dec 13
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SUNY Niagara Cannabis Conference

SUNY Niagara Hosts Inaugural Cannabis Conference

By News Archive

December 13, 2022

SUNY Niagara Cannabis Conference

SUNY Niagara Horticulture student, Jennifer Loiacono, inspects a plant at Wheatfield Gardens, a community partner where students learn about the growth and harvest of cannabis.

The inaugural SUNY Cannabis Conference will take place on January 10, 2023 at SUNY Niagara, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, NY. In conjunction with the State University of New York (SUNY), Genesee Community College, Jamestown Community College, and SUNY Erie, SUNY Niagara will facilitate a unique conference which covers an array of topics from the “Seed to Sale” lifespan in the cannabis business.

Whether you are new to the legal cannabis industry, an educator, member of the public, or an experienced industry veteran looking to grow your business, the inaugural 2023 SUNY Cannabis Conference is one you won’t want to miss! The keynote address will be presented by Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, Medical Director of the Dent Neurologic Institute. Dr. Mechtler has published some of the first major retrospective research trials on Medical Marijuana in Headaches and other neurologic disorders. He lectures both nationally and internationally and is recognized as a leader in the fields of Neuroimaging, Headache Medicine, NeuroOncology, and Medical Cannabis.

Additional speakers and breakout sessions include leaders from the cannabis industry and represent emerging cannabis-related topics in education, culinary arts, agriculture, compliance, advocacy, retail products, community outreach, labor, workforce development and more.

To register, visit www.niagaracc.suny.edu/cannabisconference. Vending and sponsorship opportunities are also available by following the link.

The inaugural SUNY Cannabis Conference will take place on January 10, 2023 at SUNY Niagara, 3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, NY. In conjunction with the State University of New York (SUNY), Genesee Community College, Jamestown Community College, and SUNY Erie, SUNY Niagara will facilitate a unique conference which covers an array of topics from the “Seed to Sale” lifespan in the cannabis business.

Whether you are new to the legal cannabis industry, an educator, member of the public, or an experienced industry veteran looking to grow your business, the inaugural 2023 SUNY Cannabis Conference is one you won’t want to miss! The keynote address will be presented by Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, Medical Director of the Dent Neurologic Institute. Dr. Mechtler has published some of the first major retrospective research trials on Medical Marijuana in Headaches and other neurologic disorders. He lectures both nationally and internationally and is recognized as a leader in the fields of Neuroimaging, Headache Medicine, NeuroOncology, and Medical Cannabis.

Additional speakers and breakout sessions include leaders from the cannabis industry and represent emerging cannabis-related topics in education, culinary arts, agriculture, compliance, advocacy, retail products, community outreach, labor, workforce development and more.

To register, visit www.niagaracc.suny.edu/cannabisconference. Vending and sponsorship opportunities are also available by following the link.

 

SUNY Niagara Cannabis Conference

SUNY Niagara Horticulture student, Jennifer Loiacono, inspects a plant at Wheatfield Gardens, a community partner where students learn about the growth and harvest of cannabis.

Media Contact Information

Denyel Beiter
Public Relations Assistant
Phone: 716-614-5974
Email: Dbeiter@niagaracc.suny.edu

Jul 26
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Melissa Moore

SUNY Niagara Instructor to Speak on a Panel to Discuss Public Health and Education in Cannabis

By News Archive

July 26, 2022

Melissa Moore

SUNY Niagara Horticulture Instructor Melissa Moore will share industry expertise on a cannabis panel at UB on Thursday, July 28.

SUNY Niagara Horticulture Instructor Melissa Moore is lending her expertise to a panel discussion, “From Legacy to Legalization” at the University at Buffalo (UB) on Thursday, July 28.  This event features discussions and insights from industry professionals on the cannabis industry in New York State.

Moore, an instructor in cultivation at SUNY Niagara has a bachelor of arts in organismal biology and a master of science in sustainable engineering.  For nearly two decades she has participated in commercial agriculture of organic crops and cannabis inflorescence in Northern California.  In 2015, she formed Emerald Triangle Analytics, working in conjunction with Steep Hill Analytics in Berkeley, California to make testing more available for the public.  In 2020, she began teaching cannabis courses at SUNY Niagara, where she has developed 6 courses concentrating on cannabis cultivation and regulatory compliance.  This fall she will also teach a new course, Medical Applications of Cannabis.  SUNY Niagara offers flexible learning options where students can take courses both online and in-person.

At Thursday’s panel, Moore will cover the topic of public health of cannabis and education.    The event runs from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in room 147 of Diefendorf Hall on the South Campus of UB, and will feature more than a dozen experts in the community.  There is no fee to attend this event, and it is open to the public.  For more information and to register, visit https://rb.gy/tputbf

SUNY Niagara Horticulture Instructor Melissa Moore is lending her expertise to a panel discussion, “From Legacy to Legalization” at the University at Buffalo (UB) on Thursday, July 28.  This event features discussions and insights from industry professionals on the cannabis industry in New York State.

Moore, an instructor in cultivation at SUNY Niagara has a bachelor of arts in organismal biology and a master of science in sustainable engineering.  For nearly two decades she has participated in commercial agriculture of organic crops and cannabis inflorescence in Northern California.  In 2015, she formed Emerald Triangle Analytics, working in conjunction with Steep Hill Analytics in Berkeley, California to make testing more available for the public.  In 2020, she began teaching cannabis courses at SUNY Niagara, where she has developed 6 courses concentrating on cannabis cultivation and regulatory compliance.  This fall she will also teach a new course, Medical Applications of Cannabis.  SUNY Niagara offers flexible learning options where students can take courses both online and in-person.

At Thursday’s panel, Moore will cover the topic of public health of cannabis and education.    The event runs from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in room 147 of Diefendorf Hall on the South Campus of UB, and will feature more than a dozen experts in the community.  There is no fee to attend this event, and it is open to the public.  For more information and to register, visit https://rb.gy/tputbf

 

Melissa Moore

SUNY Niagara Horticulture Instructor Melissa Moore will share industry expertise on a cannabis panel at UB on Thursday, July 28.

Media Contact Information

Sara Harvey
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Phone: 716-614-6220
Email: sharvey@niagaracc.suny.edu

Feb 25
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Nathan Koscielski

SUNY Niagara Blazing a Trail in Culinary Cannabis Industry

By News Archive

SUNY Niagara Blazing a Trail
in Culinary Cannabis Industry

February 25, 2021 

The cannabis economy is growing and SUNY Niagara has answered the call to educate those who wish to enter the field. The College began offering a cannabis-focused curriculum through their Horticulture program in 2019. Now, they plan to grow their cannabis-infused lesson plans to their accomplished culinary arts program.

During a May 2020 curriculum meeting at SUNY Niagara, Chef Nathan Koscielski, a Certified Culinary Instructor at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute stated, “Many states are legalizing cannabis for recreational use. I want the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and SUNY Niagara to be the gold standard when it comes to professional culinary cannabis education.” He added, “I understand that this is a controversial topic and there are stigmas, but I am approaching this from an educational perspective with a focus on safety as more chefs and culinarians enter this growing space.” His research, education, and presentation were widely accepted, and by January 2021, students were enrolled in the College’s first-ever culinary cannabis class.

Nathan Koscielski

NFCI Instructor, Chef Nathan Koscielski, poses with his Specialization Certificate in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles from the American Culinary Federation.

Speaking of firsts, Chef Koscielski was part of the inaugural Specialization Certificate in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles from the American Culinary Federation, making him one of the first 50 chefs in the United States to receive accreditation in culinary cannabis. SUNY Niagara is the only SUNY school to offer a culinary-centric cannabis course. The premier class is already a big hit; he proudly shares that class attendance has been at 100% since the beginning of the semester. His students are passionate, they share lively discussions, and are proud to be student pioneers of this fast-growing industry, state and nationwide.

The chef’s vision for cannabis-based cooking courses at NFCI is as vast as the cannabis industry is endless. “I cannot think of a single ingredient that could be used for savory and sweet dishes, beverages, and even retail,” explains Chef Koscielski. “There are so many different strains, each one with its unique flavor profile. The health benefits are bountiful and fluctuate depending on the variation. Cannabis is changing the foodservice industry. Those who have a growth mindset and can see it as an ingredient are going to thrive.”

The Culinary Cannabis and Edibles course does not yet include hands-on culinary training or sampling as New York State has not passed the legalization or regulation of recreational marijuana. Rather, this course focuses on educating student chefs about the proper handling of THC-based ingredients as well as non-THC ingredients, such as hemp and CBD (cannabinoids). The course covers terpenes, the primary reason cannabis strains smell and taste the way they do. Students learn how to determine which cannabis to choose based on the type of sweet or savory dish they would prepare. For example, Super Citrus Haze is tart, perfect for pairing with a light sugary dessert while a Sweet Pink Kush strain would complement seafood. Distinctive Sour Diesel cannabis will shine through even when paired with bold ingredients like rosemary and a variety of rich game meats.

The curriculum is also heavy in math and science covering topics such as: extraction, concentrates, dosing, plant anatomy, and the human endocannabinoid system. Business and retail topics in this course include cannabis shopping and storage. Students will also spend a considerable amount of time exploring careers in the culinary cannabis industry. This course is specifically designed to prepare students for the American Culinary Federation’s Specialization Certificate in Culinary Cannabis and Edibles exam.

The world is just at the dawning of cannabis opportunities on a grand scale. Chef Koscielski shares, “SUNY Niagara is at the forefront of it all. The future of our cannabis curriculum could attract students from across the nation.” He explains, “I would love for our students to stay in the Western New York region after they graduate, but some do move to other places. I want them to take this type of education with them if they decide to cook in states where recreational marijuana is legal.” He concluded, “The benefits of cannabis are undeniable when it comes to its medicinal properties and the effect on the economy.” This ingredient could play a major role not only in the lives of SUNY Niagara students’ but could also across our region in the horticulture, health, and culinary fields as well.

Media Contact Information

Denyel Beiter
Event Coordinator, Public Relations and Event Management
Phone: 716-614-5974
Email: dbeiter@niagaracc.suny.edu