A Look at the Cannabis Job Market

The legal cannabis industry supported over 300,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2021.  Despite adverse conditions created by the pandemic, cannabis experiences 32% year over year job growth, an enviable figure.  As more states around the US legalize marijuana, opportunities for jobs in a rapidly growing industry will present themselves to all types of workers.

For workers who lack high levels of education, cannabis cultivators are often recruited among cooks or dishwashers.  Marijuana couriers face many of the same skill requirements as other delivery drivers. For retail or restaurant workers who shift to working in the cannabis industry, they often find a more supportive and welcoming workplace than the one they left behind.

For workers who already possess a degree or specialized set of knowledge, cannabis businesses still need IT, marketing, and human resources.  They need legal experts who can help them navigate the complexities of new regulations.  Extraction techs maintain laboratory environments, so they should have some scientific background.

The beauty of joining the cannabis job market is that new industries have the most opportunities for rapid advancement. Entry-levels employees could rise fast as operations expand.  The important things are to join early and demonstrate knowledge of cannabis issues.

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