Cultivating Knowledge, Growing Community: The Story of Melissa Moore and SUNY Niagara’s Cannabis Program
By: Hilario Caro, Talent Optimization at StaffBuffalo
In this enlightening episode of the Pain Points Podcast, I sat down with Melissa Moore, Assistant Professor in the Cannabis and Horticulture Departments at SUNY Niagara, to discuss her journey from studying monkeys in Panama to pioneering one of the first academic cannabis programs in New York State. Melissa’s story is one of curiosity, education, and advocacy—bridging science, sustainability, and community.
From the Jungle to the Greenhouse
Melissa’s career began far from the cannabis world—literally. After earning her biology degree, she studied animal behavior and even worked with monkeys in Panama before pivoting to plants. “You get more days off with plants,” she joked. That shift led her to organic farming in Northern California, where she ran a nine-acre farm and eventually built connections in the local cannabis community.
Through her hands-on work, Melissa gained deep agricultural expertise and trust within the Emerald Triangle, helping cultivators test and improve their crops. She later launched her own cannabis analytics business—until life brought her back home to Buffalo just as New York State’s legalization movement began.
From Cultivation to the Classroom
Today, Melissa leads the groundbreaking Cannabis Studies Program at SUNY Niagara—a growing academic and workforce training initiative offering courses in cultivation, processing, compliance, culinary arts, and medical applications. “We started with a few classes,” she explained, “and now we’ve built full hands-on experiences—students can plant, extract, and even cook with cannabis.”
The program now includes a new cultivation unit and extraction lab, giving students real-world exposure to growing hemp, performing extractions, and understanding compliance. SUNY Niagara also offers online and workforce development courses—making cannabis education accessible to everyone from career changers to curious learners.
Navigating Legalization: Lessons from Two Coasts
Having experienced legalization firsthand in both California and New York, Melissa shared how policy shifts transformed lives and livelihoods. “The hardest part was the transition from legacy to legal,” she said. “Many people lost their farms, but legalization also meant fewer people in jail and more access to medicine.”
She credits New York for learning from other states’ challenges, streamlining licensing, and emphasizing small business support—even if, as she admits, “they’re building the plane while flying it.”
Bridging Science, Medicine, and Responsibility
Melissa is passionate about teaching responsible cannabis use through courses like Medical Applications of Cannabis, which help students understand dosing, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system. “Go low and go slow,” she advises. “Education is key to using the plant safely and effectively.”
Her commitment extends beyond academics—SUNY Niagara’s annual Cannabis Conference draws experts, doctors, and entrepreneurs from across North America, fostering collaboration and awareness. “It’s about breaking stigmas and building community,” she said.
Building Buffalo’s Cannabis Culture
Melissa believes Western New York is uniquely positioned to develop one of the most vibrant cannabis communities in the country. “We’re small enough to know each other, but big enough to make an impact,” she reflected. “Our community is friendly, open, and ready to grow—literally and figuratively.”
SUNY Niagara’s partnerships with local businesses and industry groups like the Buffalo Cannabis Network are helping create a pipeline of educated, passionate professionals ready to shape the future of cannabis in New York.
At StaffBuffalo, we celebrate innovators like Melissa who merge education, science, and entrepreneurship to empower others and build meaningful careers. Just as SUNY Niagara cultivates knowledge and opportunity, we help connect passionate professionals with purposeful work.
If you’re inspired by Melissa’s story, visit niagaracc.suny.edu/cannabis to learn more about SUNY Niagara’s cannabis and horticulture programs—or join the next Cannabis Conference to experience this growing movement firsthand.