The cannabis industry in the United States is growing by leaps and bounds with more states legalizing recreational marijuana industries every year. As this number increases, so does the need for supporting roles to keep the market moving. There are plenty of jobs from traditional backgrounds that apply to the cannabis industry and come with the paycheck to match.
With only 15 states where legal recreational cannabis markets exist, that number of careers will only grow as more states legalize. Not only this, but those industries need support from the likes of sales and marketing web developers, tradesmen, and more who understand the needs of this unique industry.
In this article, we’ll touch on some of the most in-demand positions that support the cannabis industry, without having to physically handle the product, and how you may be able to land such a position for yourself.
If you want to get involved in the growing cannabis industry but not necessarily on the ground level where production takes place, several opportunities exist for you to consider. Below you will find some of the most in-demand supporting cannabis careers.
These individuals are responsible for presenting cannabis products and businesses to the consumer or other businesses in the industry.
An experienced salesperson can earn six-figures in the cannabis industry when a quality product backed by intelligent marketing is in their hands. Your knowledge of the product, experience understanding a client’s need, and personability will serve you well in a cannabis sales career. Additionally, you may never even have to handle the product itself with the right materials at your disposal.
Competition in the cannabis industry is high (no pun intended) and marketing can be one of the most crucial parts of a business in getting products in front of the eyeballs of an intended audience. This is where marketing comes in. You can excel as a marker in the cannabis industry by putting your products in front of the right consumers in the right place, at the right time, and by design. Another career that can clean up in the salary department, marketers who enable sales teams can become powerhouses in the industry.
Just like any business, construction needs to take place before a product can be built, transported, or sold.
Cannabis is no different, though its needs are a bit more unique. In particular, the need for power exceeds most others. This is a position applicable to indoor growing operations and addressing their increased energy needs. However, there are outdoor grow operations that take place in massive greenhouses that are wired for electric lighting. So, keep that in mind.
Your knowledge of delivering an abundance of power safely places you at top-of-mind for budding operations. Using this high-demand skill to your advantage will translate to a high return when it comes time to cash your check for a job well done.
Being such a young industry, the legislation surrounding what can and cannot be done remains obfuscated to many. Attorneys are one career that can make surmountable sums of money advising and ensuring that cannabis companies remain within the scope of legislation set by their region.
By ensuring you understand the ins and outs of cannabis law in one or many locations, you can position yourself in a way that ensures you will have an abundance of high-paying clientele for many years to come.
In the modern age, websites are a storefront that customers can visit without ever having to leave home. In some cases, eCommerce transactions may be allowed under the region’s cannabis laws. This opens up a wider opportunity for web developers to impress customers via intuitive and attractively designed online shopping experiences.
As a web developer, creating these websites that are functional, easy to use, and attractive can earn you a reputation among cannabis industry professionals. Coming with price tags ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars each, you can make a name for yourself as a creator of the most effective and attractive cannabis websites.
Whether it’s working in a dispensary, accompanying couriers, or ensuring a grow operation continues uninterrupted, security is a real need for many cannabis businesses.
The position is not without its inherent risks and security professionals are compensated fairly for their participation in securing these facets of the cannabis industry.
If you can keep a cool head, learn what aspects of the job are most likely to produce unfavorable results and how to avoid or diffuse those situations, you can be an invaluable asset to any company involved in cannabis.
Accounting professionals are always in demand and that is no less true in the cannabis industry.
From the viewpoint of many legislators and municipalities, the biggest benefit of cannabis legalization may be tax revenue. As a result, the government wants every cent they are entitled to under the stipulation of the law.
Any legitimate cannabis business needs to follow the letter of the law. This is no less true when applied to finances. As a qualified accountant, you can likely excel in a low-risk, high-reward position ensuring cannabis businesses are in compliance with financial laws governing their industry.
These are just a few of the roles that support the cannabis industry across the United States.
If you’re keen to find a position peripheral to cannabis that supports the industry but doesn’t require you to have a direct hand in operations, you can find a career that fits the bill and pays the bills.
For some of these positions, finding a job to support cannabis companies could be as simple as walking into a dispensary and asking about vacancies.
However, for the majority of these supporting roles, you may have to bid on a job or follow more official channels of application. This can include visiting a company website for available positions, going through a specialized recruiter, or leveraging networking connections to find your position.
