20 Great Jobs in the Cannabis Industry

Are you interested in starting a career in the cannabis industry? Or perhaps you're already working in the industry but are looking for new opportunities to expand your skills and experience? This blog post will introduce you to 20 jobs that can help you get your foot in the door or advance your career in the cannabis industry.

20 Careers in Cannabis:

Breeder:

Cannabis breeding and purveying is a crucial role in the cannabis industry, responsible for sourcing and developing genetics and cultivars for production.

An ideal cannabis breeder is knowledgeable in genetics and phenotype expression, and has a background in cultivation to ensure the optimal expression of desired characteristics in the final product.

In addition, the ability to select plants for specific effects such as relaxation, upliftment, and pain relief is essential in meeting market demands.

Cultivator: 

Cannabis cultivation is a hands-on position that requires direct interaction with the cannabis plant, including handling seeds, clones, and tissue culture.

This career is best suited for individuals with a background in horticulture or botanical cultivation. Both indoor and outdoor/greenhouse cannabis farms often hire experienced cultivators for this role.

Physical stamina and the ability to lift and carry heavy objects are necessary for this physically demanding job, which requires a consistent work schedule.

As a key part of the cannabis production process, cultivators play a vital role in the success of the business and the quality of the final product.

Trimmer:

Cannabis trimming can be a tedious but necessary part of the industry, and experienced trimmers can earn a good income.

The job can involve long, repetitive days, but for those who can stay motivated and manage their time efficiently, it can be a lucrative career. Some companies have adopted automated trimming processes to reduce costs, but many consumers prefer the quality of hand-trimmed bud.

If you have the stamina and motivation to work as a cannabis trimmer, you could have the potential to earn a good wage in this field.

Packaging:

Cannabis packaging is a crucial but often tedious part of the industry, responsible for ensuring that products are safe, compliant, and fresh.

With the implementation of Prop 64 in California, many companies initially used flashy, expensive, and wasteful packaging, but have since moved towards more sustainable and efficient options. While large corporations may use automation for some packaging processes, smaller businesses may still require hand weighing, assembly, and quality control by human staff.

If you're detail-oriented and have an interest in compliance and quality assurance, a career in cannabis packaging could be a good fit for you.

Value-Added Operations:

Have you ever wondered how edibles, oils, and topicals are consistently produced with such high quality?

These value-added products require the expertise of chefs, oil and extract artists, pre-roll packagers, beverage formulation specialists, and more. From Bong Appetit to other examples, it's clear that cannabis is being used in a wide range of products and applications.

In value-added operations, the goal is often to create products that taste great with minimal or no "green" flavor. If you have culinary skills or a background in formulation, you may be well-suited for a career in value-added cannabis products.

Distribution: 

Distribution is a crucial part of the cannabis industry, responsible for managing the logistics of transporting inventory to various dispensaries, clinics, and facilities. 

Distributors often work with a range of brands and may utilize a single large warehouse space for white labeling to streamline compliance and regulations. 

If you have a background in logistics and enjoy working with multiple brands, a career in cannabis distribution could be a good fit for you.

Delivery Driver: 

Delivery drivers play a crucial role in the cannabis industry, transporting products from wholesalers to retailers and interacting with a wide range of cultivators and dispensaries across the state. While the job may involve long hours on the road, it can also come with benefits and perks as a vital link in the supply chain.

Some drivers have a unique perspective on the industry and can be valuable brand representatives. If you enjoy driving and interacting with people, a career as a cannabis delivery driver could be a good fit for you.

Brand Ambassador: 

Are you a social person who loves introducing others to new products and attending exclusive events? A career as a brand ambassador in the cannabis industry could be a great fit for you. As the face of the company, brand ambassadors are responsible for promoting products and building relationships with customers.

If you're outgoing and excited to share news about new products, this position could offer plenty of travel opportunities and a chance to connect with others. If this sounds like the right role for you, consider pursuing a career as a cannabis brand ambassador.

Budtender:

As a budtender, you'll have the opportunity to work with cannabis products and assist retail customers in selecting the right products for their needs.

Sales and customer service experience can be beneficial in this role, as you may act as a personal shopper and help customers navigate the wide range of options in mature cannabis markets.

This is a common entry-level position in the cannabis industry and can be a great stepping stone to other roles. If you have a passion for cannabis and enjoy working with people, you may thrive as a budtender.

Product Intake & Merchandising: 

Product intake and merchandising is a critical aspect of running a successful dispensary. It involves acquiring and properly displaying products to appeal to consumers, while also following compliance procedures and standard operating procedures to ensure the proper quantity and potency of products.

Quality control can be an important responsibility for intake managers to ensure the accuracy of product labels. In addition to intake, the placement of products in the dispensary can impact sales.

Just as in a grocery store, small items like hemp wicks, grinders, single-use joints, and rolling trays are often placed at the checkout counter to encourage last-minute purchases.

If you have an eye for detail and enjoy organizing products, a career in product intake and merchandising could be a good fit for you.

Ordering Manager: 

As an ordering manager in the cannabis industry, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and consumer demand for various products such as flower, gummies, beverages, strains, and accessories.

This role may also involve attending industry events and networking with wholesalers and brands to build connections and secure consistent product availability for a single dispensary or a chain of dispensaries.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build long-lasting relationships are key skills for this position.

If you have an interest in cannabis products and enjoy building connections, you may thrive as an ordering manager.

Dispensary Manager:

As a dispensary manager, you'll be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the shop and making important decisions about hiring, product selection, and budgeting.

It's essential to have strong multitasking and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work well with others and maintain a consistent work ethic.

This role can be challenging and require a lot of responsibility, including making tough decisions about employee management and profitability.

If you have strong leadership skills and enjoy managing complex operations, a career as a dispensary manager could be a good fit for you.

Smoke Shop or Head Shop:

Smoke shops are a popular destination for legal goods and paraphernalia related to cannabis consumption, although they do not sell cannabis products themselves. Dispensaries may also carry some of these items, but smoke shops typically offer a wider selection.

As an employee at a smoke shop, you'll be responsible for maintaining a discreet and welcoming atmosphere for customers and providing recommendations for the best smoking accessories.

Smoke shops often carry a variety of items such as unique and costly glass pieces, potpourri mixtures, grinders, and other accessories. Staying up-to-date on trends and predicting the direction of the market is also important in this role.

If you have a passion for smoking accessories and enjoy staying informed about industry trends, a career in a smoke shop could be a good fit for you.

Accessory Brand:

As an accessory brand in the cannabis industry, you'll have the opportunity to offer a range of products to meet the needs of various customers.

From luxury rolling papers, grinders and vaporizers to well-designed gear and accessories, there is a lot of potential for innovation and growth. However, it's important to note that a saturated market can also mean increased competition.

Brands like Phoenician Grinders, Raw Rolling Papers, and MJ Arsenal have found success by targeting specific niches and offering high-quality products. 

If you have a creative eye and are interested in developing new accessory products for the cannabis industry, you may enjoy a career as an accessory brand, or joining the team of one that already is in the market! These companies have various roles as a career path in the cannabis industry.

MSOs: 

Multi-state operators (MSOs) are major players in the cannabis industry, often backing well-known brands in various states across the US such as Curaleaf, Truelieve, Cresco, and Planet 13. 

These companies operate at economies of scale, leveraging their business operations and taking on larger debt loads in order to offer products quickly and consistently across state lines.

While the goal of many businesses is to grow bigger, faster, and cheaper, it's important to consider the potential impact on smaller local businesses. 

Working for an established and rapidly growing MSO can offer more opportunities compared to a single regional dispensary or brand, but it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of this type of career path.

Event Planning & Social Media: 

Cannabis event planners play a significant role in the industry by including select brands in private parties and gatherings. These events allow for publicity and can help foster connections and business opportunities in relaxed settings.

Social media and event planning can be a great career path for those who enjoy connecting with a diverse range of cannabis consumers and helping to bring together high-brow companies.

In this field, who you know can be just as important as what you know, so networking and building relationships can be key to success.

If you're skilled at social media and event planning and enjoy connecting with others, you may thrive in this career path in the cannabis industry.

Inventor/Product Designer: 

As an inventor or product designer in the cannabis industry, it's important to appeal to a wide audience and create innovative products that stand out in a crowded market.

Partnering with a strong company can make the process of launching and promoting your products easier. This career path is well-suited for individuals who are creative, artistic, and have a background in engineering or molecular gastronomy.

If you have a passion for product design and are looking to make a mark in the cannabis industry, you may enjoy a career as an inventor or product designer. 

Data Analytics and Aggregation:

Data analytics and aggregation is a crucial and often tedious step in any business. It requires skill and expertise to analyze data and determine which products are performing well and which ones are not.

This information is essential for identifying areas of success and improvement within the business.

Data analytics professionals, whether working individually or as part of a team, play a vital role in understanding the performance of a business and making informed decisions about its future.

Ancillary Brands & Businesses:

Ancillary brands and businesses refer to any type of business that supports the cannabis industry. This can include a wide range of activities such as land acquisition, infrastructure development, LLC filings, banking, manufacturing, and many others.

These businesses often operate in areas that are related to or support the cannabis industry, even if they do not directly deal with cannabis themselves. Many individuals working in these businesses may not be aware that they are indirectly supporting the cannabis industry.

Ancillary brands and businesses provide a diverse range of career opportunities and can be a great way to enter the cannabis industry.

Tissue Culture & Lab Work: 

Tissue culture and lab work is a specialized area of cultivation that is gaining popularity in the cannabis industry. It involves using a technique known as tissue culture, which allows growers to start full plants from a small number of cells and ensures that they will grow identically at maturity.

This can be a valuable tool for scaling greenhouse production and achieving high, sustainable yields.

Tissue culture work requires a scientific background, including knowledge of growth hormones and gene sequencing, and can be especially rewarding for those with a passion for both science and cultivation.

In conclusion, this article has highlighted 20 exciting career opportunities in the cannabis industry. Whether you are interested in cultivation, product development, or business management, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference in this rapidly growing field.

Remember to stay open to new opportunities and be creative in your approach to finding your dream job. Above all, it's important to love what you do and be passionate about your work. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve and expand, there will be many more opportunities to explore. We can’t wait to see what is in store for you!