3 Steps to Landing a Job in the Cannabis Industry

jobs in cannabis and how to get one

The cannabis industry is an industry still very much in its evolving stage yet it has shown great promise so far. The industry has weathered the storm of criminalization and stigma over the years before it became a force to reckon with. Now on the road to full establishment, the industry is providing opportunities for many to establish concrete careers in the industry. Marijuana Business Daily in 2018 stated that the industry employs between 125,000 to 160,000 full-time employees annually. This figure was projected to increase exponentially in years to come as the industry grows. With such opportunities available, many in America are looking for what it takes to land a job in the cannabis industry. Before delving into the important steps, let’s briefly go through the basics of the cannabis industry.

What you need to know about the cannabis industry

The cannabis industry is a huge industry that is still in the works largely because many sectors that should be standing alone are still fragmented together. Diversification of the industry is an important step for the industry but that can only come when full legalization is established. Pending that time, the cannabis industry can be divided into four major areas in terms of job opportunities. The areas are

Cultivation

Extraction

Retail

And ancillary

A closer look into each of these sectors gives a clearer picture of what they entail.

The cultivation sector has to do with the growing of cannabis plants. This sector pays attention to the agronomy of the plant and ensuring that the process brings out the best possible yield for the grower. There are different job opportunities available in the cultivation sector and common examples are growers, trimmers, and directors of cultivation. Jobs in this sector requires that the applicant has adequate knowledge and the skill set to ensure the success of the cultivation process.

The extraction sector was birthed following the growth of the cannabis industry from just smoking flowers to using other consumption methods. Oils and other forms of extracts are gotten from cannabis and used to produce edibles, topicals, and vapes. The growth of the extraction sector has been astronomical as many cannabis users due to health concerns prefer other means of consumption other than smoking. Job opportunities in the extraction sector include chemists, lab directors, Research and Development specialists, and sales representatives.

The retail sector of the cannabis industry has to do with the selling of cannabis products to patients and recreational users. The legalization of cannabis use by some states has necessitated the need for established retail structures like dispensaries where cannabis users can get their products. Common cannabis job opportunities in the retail sector include budtenders, general managers, and inventory manager.

The ancillary sector encompasses a wide array of people that help to provide different forms of infrastructure needed to help the cultivation, extraction, and retail sectors. The players in the ancillary sector provide information and data, logistical services, technology, and training that may be needed by other arms of the industry. Common job opportunities in this sector include software engineers, outside sales representatives, and service representatives.

3 major steps to land a job in the cannabis industry

Identify the target sector you want to major in

The cannabis industry is pretty much like every industry out there. The added advantage is that the cannabis industry has multiple opportunities as the industry has different burgeoning sectors. The first step is to choose which of the four major sectors you want to major in. It is also important to always know that the industry will always still require some people to work in finance, human resources, operations, and IT. This means you do not necessarily need to put all the skills you have developed elsewhere away while looking for a job in the cannabis industry. You can easily find where those skill sets can be best applied and apply it.

Narrow your search within the target sectors

The four major sectors in the cannabis industry as earlier explained consist of different types of departments within them. After identifying the target sector to major in, the next step is to research departments in such sectors and companies around such departments. One easy way to do this can be by attending cannabis trade shows, conferences, and networking events. This will help to know more about the sector and equip the applicant. It is also important to have target positions that best suit your skill sets. There are different tangible and intangible qualities that differentiate applicants for a job and once you can identify the job that matches your qualities, you’re good to go.

Network

The cannabis industry largely due to history is a close-knit industry where almost every major player knows each other. This is important because the activities of the industry involve relationships between sectors and this also means that knowledge about other sectors too is important. Therefore it is important to know a bit about other industries in order to facilitate networking. Versatility around the things of the industry is an important trait that can set an applicant apart from others. Networking allows you to know who is who easily and quickly get important information about the industry that can help to give an edge.

Bottom line

Many make the mistake of viewing the cannabis industry like every other industry. The cannabis industry is very unique, in some of its characteristics, sectors, legality, and so on. However, with the right body of knowledge, flexibility, versatility, and confidence, anyone can land a good job in the cannabis industry.

The cannabis industry is also moving to a point where relevant degrees around cannabis will be important for landing a job in the industry. Different institutions are already offering certification in various cannabis courses, a fact that shows just how far the industry has come. The importance and impact of this academic milestone should not be underappreciated. Unlike before when newbies have no structured route to educate themselves on how to break into the industry, we now have quality information littered all over.

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