As of 2021, the legal cannabis industry in America reportedly supports over 300,000 full-time jobs across 30-plus states. The sector has doubled in size since marijuana was made legal in certain states in 2018. Now that’s something to huff and puff about!
If you’re keen to turn your passion for pot into lucrative cannabis jobs, you’re in luck.
There’s a whole range of roles that need filling, not just growing or selling product. Skills like web development, accounting, legal, event planning… Just about anything you’d need in any other industry.
If you’re interested in learning all about how to get into the cannabis industry, read on.
Research the Industry
Perhaps you already have a few companies in mind? Head to their website, Google them, peruse their socials. Take note of their team, their mission, vision, and values, and try to determine what kinds of cannabis industry jobs they might be hiring for.
Does what they do and how they do it align with your own skillset?
Familiarise yourself with the industry’s movers and shakers–people like Jasdeep Singh, Head of Operations at The Cannabinoid Company–and follow them on social media.
There are also a ton of industry events going on, both online and off. Attending conferences, meet-ups, and trade shows is a way to meet business owners face-to-face. Cannabis is a tight knit-community founded on activism, so if you’re genuinely dedicated to getting work in the industry, people will see it.
How Do You Fit In?
Take a good hard look at yourself, too. There are so many different kinds of jobs at today’s cannabis companies. It can be hard to know where you might use your skills best.
Do a bit of soul seeking. Ask yourself these questions:
- What are you good at?
- What do you like to do?
- Do you prefer chaotic or calm environments?
- What are your professional goals?
- What gets you motivated or inspired?
Answering these questions might help you work out where you might fit best in this fast-changing industry. Remember, you don’t have only to be an expert horticulturalist or salesperson to get into cannabis. Graphic designers, PR experts, scientists… they’re all in demand right now.
Use a Staffing Agency
Yes, you read that right. There are already a good handful of recruitment agencies working hard to get the best people into the legal cannabis industry.
Staffing agencies are an excellent option for those just getting started in cannabis, switching careers or industries, or just prefer some assistance. You’ve got dedicated HR staff whittling down the options for you, so you only have to spend time on the roles and companies that might be a good fit for you.
Of course, if you’re a natural self-starter, a more organic approach combing applying for jobs, cold reach-outs, and attending industry events might be the better option.
How to Get into the Cannabis Industry Explained
It’s essential to be flexible in marijuana industry jobs. In such a new sector, almost every workplace is a startup.
Most companies won’t have dedicated HR departments, and you may have to wear multiple hats in a role. There are also constant tweaks to state legislation and regulations that can throw companies into a spin at a moment’s notice.
When it comes to learning how to get into the cannabis industry, be prepared to adapt quickly and let some of the imperfections go.
For more insight into America’s fastest-changing industries, browse the articles on our blog.
