The Ultimate Guide to Cannabis Jobs
You’re in the right place if you are thinking about a career in the cannabis industry. Legalization of recreational and medical marijuana is growing rapidly. Today, recreational and medical cannabis are legal in 33 states, as well as Washington DC. This represents 170 million Americans. It is a smart move to get involved in legal marijuana. The U.S. generated $13.6 billion in revenue in 2019 according to New Frontier Data.
There are many jobs in cannabis, and it can be difficult to know which sector your skills will be most useful. CannabizTeam created the ultimate guide to jobs in the cannabis industry. This guide will help you find the perfect job in the cannabis industry, whether you are passionate about CBD and marijuana. This guide will provide information on the most common cannabis jobs so that you can understand the whole picture and make your way in the cannabis industry.
There are many job types in cannabis
Before we dive into the meat of the guide, it’s important to mention that this list could change over time. While we can’t address every position, we did highlight the most common ones. Grab a pen and notepad and start to look at the list. Take notes about marijuana job types.
Cannabis Cultivation Jobs
All it takes is growing cannabis plants. The world revolves around farmers, in this case cannabis farmers. People with green thumbs have the ability to grow and care for marijuana until it is ready to be used. This sector is a good fit for those who are interested in growing cannabis, or are knowledgeable about other crops and plants. Let’s look at some of the most popular cannabis cultivation positions.
Director of Cultivation
The cultivation director is responsible to ensure that premium cannabis is produced in compliance with federal and state laws. They oversee the cannabis growing operation and set the standard operating procedures. The primary goal of a cultivation director is to guide their team to produce high-quality, healthy marijuana.
Master Gardener
The master grower oversees all aspects of cannabis production, including crop nutrition, pest control, and planting. This ensures that the plants are safe. The master grower also communicates with compliance inspectors and law enforcement to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This role is suitable for those with a background in botany or horticulture.
Trimmer
The position of trimmer is a great place to start if you are looking to get into cannabis growing. This is the most popular entry-level job in cannabis farming and growing. It is one of the most sought-after jobs in marijuana farming and growing in California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and many other states. The job of a trimmer includes pruning and trimming marijuana leaves, as well as drying them for sale. If you are interested in this job, a good trimmer must be fast and precise.
Lab and Extraction of Cannabis Industry
After marijuana plants have been grown, harvested and cut, some of them are sold as flowers, while the remainder (the “smalls”) go to the lab to make cannabis extracts. This includes oils and tinctures. This is what we call extraction in industry terms. For those with a background in chemistry and science, extraction is a great option. Testing labs are another part of the process that offers many job opportunities.
Lab Director
The post-harvest process is managed by a lab director. This includes performing chemical analyses to determine harvest time. A lab director has a variety of responsibilities. They manage technicians and other members of the team, ensure compliance with laws, and run quality assurance (QA and QC) procedures. The lab directors are responsible for maintaining standard laboratory equipment and extraction machines. This role is a combination of proven management skills and experience in extraction techniques.
Quality Manager
Quality managers in cannabis are responsible for overseeing product testing and ensuring that the facility follows excellent production practices. Quality managers are responsible for reviewing and appraising cannabis processing methods and testing them. They also investigate any complaints about the quality of the marijuana.
Concentrates Processor
To become a concentrates processor, you will need to be skilled in chemistry and have an eye for detail. This is necessary to make safe concentrates that include hash oils or dabs. Concentrates have a wide range of effects that can be very beneficial for medical cannabis patients.
Cannabis Manufacturing
This is the area where cannabis and CBD products can be packaged and sold. Many items are prepared and sold in retail shops around the world, including vapes, CBD tinctures, and gummies. You’ll need to be able to follow the rules and regulations that change frequently when you work in a marijuana manufacturing facility. Experience in cannabis manufacturing is an advantage if you are looking to get into this industry.
VP Manufacturing
The Vice President is responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time. You’ll also be responsible for overseeing the development of products ordered. It will also be your responsibility to make sure your team adheres to safety and health regulations at all times. You may also assist with packaging design and branding depending on the company you work for.
Facility Manager
A cannabis facility manager will be responsible for overseeing the product and inventory teams, making sure that they adhere to the deadlines and are on time. This is how wholesale customers and dispensary clients receive their products on time.
Packagers
It is not difficult to see that a packager is responsible for packaging cannabis and cannabis-infused products in neatly sealed containers, pre-rolled joints and bags. This is a typical hourly job and, like the trimming position, it’s a solid way to get into the cannabis industry.
Edibles Chef
To create delicious food with cannabis extracts, this role requires mastery of the kitchen. Learn how to infuse marijuana into various items such as candy, baked goods, tea, and soda. It is important to pay attention to the details as every type of food and beverage will have a specific dose.
Retail Jobs & Dispensary Jobs
Working in cannabis retail is a great job if you love helping people find the right cannabis products, and if you are passionate about marketing strategy. You’ll be able to connect consumers with the many CBD/vape products available, including edibles, pre-rolls and vapes. You will have an advantage if you have experience in customer service or retail.
VP Retail
The VP is responsible for any strategy that aims to achieve short- or long-term retail goals. This includes budgeting and planning for annual sales, compliance, expansion, and other areas. In addition to managing inventory and profit, the VP of Retail is responsible for budgeting.
General Manager
As a general manager, your responsibilities include overseeing the operations of the dispensary and managing the budtenders. You are responsible for analyzing the business and creating action plans that produce results as a general manager of a cannabis dispensary. This is a job that you might consider if you are interested in a cannabis dispensary job. Leadership skills are crucial to this position. To ensure a high-performance dispensary team, you will need to coach and develop them.
Budtenders
A budtender is a personable who plays off the title of “bartender”. You will be answering customer questions every day and making recommendations. During their visit to the dispensary, you will be the customer’s first source of information for purchasing cannabis products. You should discuss with customers any allergies or other issues.
Courier and Delivery
Many dispensaries offer delivery services. There are many opportunities for couriers to work in the cannabis industry. This position was popularized by the medical marijuana community. Delivery of recreational cannabis is becoming more popular, which has led to more jobs for cannabis couriers. You must be reliable and punctual, regardless of whether you are driving a car or riding a bike to deliver high-quality cannabis.
Final Words
If you want to kick start your career in the cannabis industry, the best way is to consult with a cannabis recruitment company. They will not only guide you about the best jobs but will help you get one.