By: Mike Doyle
In this Q&A interview, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Quine Liddell, a conditional adult-use retail dispensary (CAURD) licensee and former student of Columbia-Greene Community College. Quine’s journey in the cannabis industry has not been without its challenges. A justice-involved individual, Quine experienced firsthand the negative impacts of the War on Drugs when he was arrested and served time for simple possession of marijuana at the age of 19. While this experience left a dark cloud over his adult life and threatened to undermine his full potential, Quine persevered and has successfully transformed his experience into a driving force for change.
Throughout the interview, Quine shares his experiences, insights, and valuable advice for others considering a similar path in the cannabis industry. His commitment to continuous learning, dedication to ethical and sustainable practices, and meticulous attention to compliance with laws and regulations exemplify the spirit of responsible entrepreneurship within this rapidly evolving sector.
Q: What initially drew you to the cannabis industry?
A: It has always been sort of a calling for me. I have been an advocate of cannabis ever since I was a teen.
Q: Why did you decide to enroll in the cannabis courses offered at Columbia-Greene Community College?
A: I chose to enroll in order to further educate myself on the best practices, policies, and compliances that NY state, as well as the OCM, would be expecting from a top-notch cannabis operator and retail business.
Q: How did the course prepare you for owning and operating a cannabis dispensary?
A: It gave me the confidence I needed to know that I was going to be successful taking on such a large feat.
Q: Can you share any specific skills or knowledge you gained that you found particularly valuable?
A: The knowledge that I found particularly valuable was what some people would call the basics. For example: What is a terpene? What is a cannabinoid? What is a trichome? Being from the legacy market, I was not using such verbiage.
Q: What motivated you to pursue state licensure for your cannabis dispensary?
A: I kind of felt that it was a no brainer. I knew that if I was constantly being harassed over cannabis when it was illegal, I should be justly rewarded when it was legalized.
Q: Now that you’ve graduated from the course and received your state license, where are you in the process of opening your dispensary?
A: We are about 90 days out from launch.
Q: Can you describe any current challenges or hurdles you are facing in opening or operating your cannabis dispensary?
A: Current challenges right now are minor. I think that we are currently coming down the home stretch and we can finally see the lights at the end of the tunnel. It is all about opening on schedule.
Q: How has the course influenced your approach to the cannabis business?
A: The [Introduction to the Cannabis Industry] course helped me foster a more responsible and informed approach to the cannabis industry, with an emphasis on ethics, sustainability, and adherence to laws and regulations, thus promoting a socially conscious and legally compliant business.
Q: What advice would you give to others considering a similar path, in terms of both education and licensure?
A: For education: (ABL) Always be learning. It’s a new industry, so give yourself time to learn. Regulations are still constantly changing, and new regulations are constantly being added. For licensure: Make sure that you have all your ducks in a row because it is an extremely strenuous process with a lot of information needed. Sites like NY420 can help you get through the process by giving you access to everything, and everyone needed in the industry. Plus, instructors like those at Columbia-Greene Community College with real world industry experience are a wealth of knowledge and incredibly resourceful. Thanks for everything.