How To Start A Career In The Cannabis Industry?

There is no doubt that cannabis is a booming industry, with it being valued at $10.8 billion in 2021. It is only set to grow more in the upcoming years, as more and more states work towards complete legalization of marijuana. To accommodate for its rapid growth, the industry has also opened up lots of job opportunities.

Just last year, there were nearly 320,000 full-time positions in the cannabis industry. A lot of people may wish to enter the industry for their own reasons, but aren’t aware of the available options. You may be surprised to know that there are various types of jobs in this field, so let’s take a look at them.

Jobs In the Cannabis Industry 

Whether you have lots of knowledge about marijuana, or are just eager to know more and help MMJ patients, you can find suitable career options waiting for you in cannabis! 

Look For Temporary Options to Begin 

The best way to enter the cannabis industry with no prior experience is by getting a temporary job. Such jobs are a great way to get a closer look at the industry, gain some relevant experience, and make connections. If you perform well, it is highly likely that you would be offered a permanent job. You also get to understand what others around you are doing, and which part of the industry interests you the most. 

Budtender 

You know how bartenders have all the knowledge regarding the drinks? Similarity, a Budtender is supposed to guide the customers at the dispensary and answer any questions they may have. As a Budtneder, you would be required to have intensive knowledge regarding cannabis and its products. This is a great entry-level job for weed enthusiasts. 

Dispensary Manager  

Dispensaries are arguably the most important part of the cannabis industry. Lots of dispensary owners hire people who are experienced in working with medical marijuana. You could also be a part of the staff of an online MMJ clinic.

California MMJ Doctor is one of the best clinics to get an MMJ Card California. You can connect with their doctors to gain a better understanding of the uses of medical marijuana. They provide quick consultations for MMJ patients through telemedicine. 

A career in a dispensary/ clinic can help you get firmly established in the professional world of cannabis. Some government-regulated dispensaries even offer advanced opportunities to candidates with a lot of experience, such as six-figure salaries, paid vacation days, health insurance, and overseeing multiple store outlets. 

Warehouse/ Packaging

This is another entry-level job that can help you acquire a wide skill set such as managing inventory, gaining knowledge of the products, and building vendor relationships. Working in the warehouse also helps you understand rules and regulations regarding shipping, receiving, and storing cannabis products.

This job is great for those who want to understand how the operations work inside the industry and how to effectively monitor storage. As a warehouse worker, you would also learn about following the safety procedures. 

Master Grower

Another important job, without which we would basically have no cannabis to buy/ sell. Although its name is “weed,” high-quality plants won’t simply grow on their own. Master Growers are responsible for cultivating healthy mamrijuana plants.

You can also specialize in managing large scale grow operations, where you would have to oversee crop nutrition, cloning, planting, pest management, grow-house technology, and staffing. This too, is a well-paying job. People with botany and horticulture backgrounds can adjust here really well. 

Master Extractor

Being a Master Extractor requires years of experience and skills. They usually get paid very well due to these qualities. As a Master Extractor, you would be responsible for overseeing the production of oils and concentrates harvested from the marijuana plant. 

You would also have to extract very precise amounts of THC and CBD, adhere to strict safety standards and government regulations. Getting this position is going to be quite hard, as you will require a PhD in Biochemistry, along with some knowledge about engineering. 

Marijuana Tester / Quality-Control Inspector

As the name suggests, you would be responsible for ensuring whether the products about to enter the market are up to the safety standards, in terms of health and potency. You may also have inspect and enforce marijuana cultivation laws, 

Getting a tester job would call for a PhD in a scientific field like afronomy, chemistry, entomology, or biology.

Conclusion 

There are many ways you could begin a career in the cannabis industry, no matter if you have minimal experience or a PhD. So, start exploring!