GREENFIELD -- An introduction to the marijuana industry will be the topic of a workshop set for 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Greenfield Community College's Downtown Center, 270 Main St.

"This is our first workshop on this topic and we plan to offer more in this semester," Alyce Stiles, dean of workforce development and community education at the college, said in a phone interview Thursday.

The college is offering the workshop with Patriot Care, which operates a medical marijuana dispensary at 7 Legion Ave.

The workshop is free but registration is required. Capacity at the venue is 85 to 90 people, Stiles said.

"We're excited to raise awareness and talk about this topic," she said.

Massachusetts voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 and legalized marijuana for medical use in 2012.

The workshop will be an introduction to the industry as well as a preview for a more comprehensive workshop to be held later this year, Stiles said.

"We developed this workshop to serve the broader Greenfield community in the most impactful manner possible and we are looking forward to educating the public about the cannabis industry," Nicholas Vita, chief executive officer of Columbia Care, parent company of Patriot Care, said in a press release.

Topics at the workshop will include, the press release said:

overview of the marijuana industry, including current and future issues

analysis of Massachusetts regulations of medical and recreational marijuana

careers in the industry and requirements for such jobs

challenges faced by those who operate marijuana businesses.

"The workshop is designed to bring together and educate anyone interested in working in, operating, or investing in the regulated marijuana industry," Stiles said in the press release.