The #1 Choice for Hands-On Cannabis Training
Illinois Cannabis Training Center (ICTC) is the #1 choice for hands-on cannabis training in the cannabis industry.
ICTC began in 2019 as the first state-approved Responsible Vendor Training Organization approved in Illinois. It's signature advanced dispensary operations training, known to many as the "Bootcamp", is recognized by dispensary owners and hiring managers across the nation.
ICTC offers 50+ hours of in-person and online training courses for individuals and businesses.
Our Mission:
Empower our community to access professional opportunities created by cannabis legalization through creative learning experiences.
Our Partners
CYNTHIA ALLEN
Senior Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
LAMAR RICHARDSON
President
Chief Executive Officer
OUR STORY
The story of Illinois Cannabis Training Center, Inc. begins with Lamar Richardson.
Lamar was born and raised in Chicago and grew up in the Cabrini Green neighborhood in the 1960s. He joined the Air Force and served in Vietnam. It was during this horrific war where he first began to realize the calming and healing benefits of cannabis.
But time spent serving his country would not keep him shielded from the early days of the war on drugs. In 1973, just five-days after returning to Chicago from Vietnam, Lamar was arrested for cannabis possession.
With resourcefulness, he was able to access expungement services to get his record cleared early on.
Lamar became a well-known Chicago business owner and community leader. As O’Hare’s first Black air traffic controller and the founder of 8 successful businesses and nonprofit ventures (including a nightclub that has been in business for 45 years!), Lamar has lived the importance of leading the way.
In honor of Lamar’s many years of service to the community, the City of Bellwood renamed a portion of St. Charles Road to “Richardson Drive” in 2004.
HOW ICTC CAME TO BE
When Illinois fully legalized cannabis in 2019, Lamar began working with Cynthia Allen (a senior HR executive at numerous Fortune 500 companies) and Grant Richardson (a social entrepreneur) to launch Illinois Cannabis Training Center Inc (ICTC).
Their goal is to improve access to professional opportunities in cannabis.
ICTC is a state-approved Responsible Vendor Training Organizations and works with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to provide approved cannabis training, seminars, and coaching across Illinois.
