The cannabis industry in the United States is big business. As more states come on board with legalization, that business will only expand even further. This translates to more markets opening and more jobs being created to fill the need of those markets.
There are currently an estimated 400,000+ jobs in cannabis-related fields. That’s with just 15 states that have legalized recreational cannabis. Whether you want to work with cannabis directly or in a peripheral capacity, chances are there is a position waiting to be filled by you.
In this article, we’ll touch on some of the most often listed positions in the cannabis industry and how you may be able to land such a position for yourself.
These positions are those working directly alongside the cannabis industry and will be handling products as well as potentially managing relationships with external entities as you deliver cannabis information, products, and services.
These are the mad scientists behind the cultivation of marijuana and cross-breeding of strains to create new and exciting variations of this incredible plant.
This takes years of growing experience, indoor and/or outdoor to be eligible. However, once you’ve got the knowledge, you’ll be indispensable. This position requires you to be able to take full responsibility for the growing operation in both the short and long term. You may also have to oversee a sizable team of growers, interact with legal entities like regulators and law enforcement, and be able to report on various resource usage throughout the growing facility. Salaries can reach $150,000 or more in competitive markets.
Tasked with supporting the master grower and growing operations, these individuals need not necessarily have an abundance of experience in the cultivation of cannabis, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have that background. You’ll be able to pick up some seriously potent skills and build your level of experience depending on how involved you are.
Demonstrate aptitude, professionalism, and the desire to excel to improve your standing in the realm of cultivation.
Trimmers may themselves do the trimming of cannabis flowers in preparation for packaging. Otherwise, they may operate trimming equipment for processing flowers on a larger scale. This work is not necessarily skill-dependent but it does require physical ability and attention to detail. This is one of the most widely accessible positions in the cannabis industry from an entry-level perspective.
Another position that requires no small degree of know-how, extractors take the mature bud of cannabis plants and refine them further into concentrated products, like resins, hash, and oils.
By utilizing chemicals and chemical processes, you are tasked with creating a refined product. With that comes a heightened level of scrutiny. Your position as an extractor in the lab could potentially lead to catastrophe if corners are cut. Being precise and taking your job seriously is the only way to excel in this position dominated by chemists and engineers.
That said, with a bit of knowledge and demonstrated acumen, you could earn as much as $180,000 annually as an experienced extractor.
Extraction technicians are essential lab technicians who support the master technician and carry out the processes outlined by them.
You’ll have a hand in creating these concentrates cannabis connoisseurs crave as you refine, test, and prepare your products for the market.
A huge component of the cannabis market is edibles. For hose users who prefer to eat their cannabis, this job is tasked with delivering on the appeal, quality, and potency users expect.
The edibles chef will have both a technical requirement to create a wide array of flavors, textures, and levels of potency, and a creative requirement to ensure products stand out in a crowded market.
There is no room for error when it comes to consistency as a chef in the cannabis industry. Your products must contain exactly what you say they do and you must be able to recreate your edibles consistently between batches.
Don’t forget the added responsibility of keeping your consumers alive in the event they may be allergic to ingredients in your edibles. Communicating your ingredients and preparatory setting will be essential to address those potential allergies or preferences for vegetarian/vegan consumers.
Just one may understand of any retail establishment, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Retail managers are going to have their hands full managing employees, customers, order fulfillment, inventory, and a slew of other things that have to get done daily in the dispensary.
In this scenario, you’ll likely interface between corporate/ownership, law enforcement, customers, and your employees. You will be the lifeblood of the retail space and you set the tone for day-to-day operations observed by all the entities listed above. As a result, an experienced retail manager in the cannabis industry can easily earn six figures.
The face of the brand in dispensaries and other retail settings, these individuals represent their brand and serve consumers directly. Often requiring “budtenders” to be on their feet for hours at a time, the retail setting may not be for everyone.
You’ll be tasked with knowing everything about your fleet of products and be able to answer questions consumers have about any given product.
You may be relied upon to match the right product with an individual’s taste or to deliver promotional offers in conversation. It can be a demanding position in the cannabis industry but it’s also one of the most rewarding.
This is a great position to secure if you’re interested in a wide range of responsibilities that will introduce you to many aspects of the cannabis industry.
Many dispensaries offer a courier service to deliver online orders to consumers’ homes and businesses.
In the position of a courier, you may have to make multiple deliveries across a large area throughout the day. This may require your own vehicle or a company-provided one. You assume some risk as you transport the product from a retail location to the consumer. For this reason, many dispensaries offering delivery services require a security professional to accompany the courier.
These are just some of the most in-demand cannabis careers available in states with a regulated and legalized cannabis industry.
You can approach your search for a cannabis career in one of several ways. The most obvious being to visit your local dispensary in-person to see if any positions are currently available. You’ll find this out quickly enough by speaking with the staff or manager. However, you may be redirected to a webpage or other destination where open positions are posted. Fill out an application with the relevant experience and why you’d be a good fit for the position and don’t forget to follow up.
