With the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in more states, job growth in the cannabis industry has been rapidly increasing. There are now thousands of high-paying jobs in the industry, making cannabis attractive to people considering a career change. Some of the most popular jobs in the industry include: 

·      Budtender 

Are you a people person? If yes, this job may be right for you as it involves working at a dispensary to answer customer questions, discuss their needs, describe products and generally be the customer’s got-to resource for making purchases. A budtender has to be knowledgeable about cannabis products, but this shouldn’t be a source of concern as most establishments provide on-the-job training for their staff to help them familiarize themselves with the peculiarities and particulars of the products they offer to the public. 

·      Edible Maker 

Also referred to as ‘Edible Chef,’ this job entails producing edible marijuana products such as candies, chocolates, gummies, coffee, soda, tea, and more. A job of making marijuana edibles will require an ability to cook and bake as well as an understanding of how to infuse marijuana into food quantities that are legal and pleasurable. 

·      Vaporizer Retailer 

Vaping is fast becoming one of the most preferred ways of consuming flowers and for obvious reasons. To meet the increasing demand, many stores are now springing up with the sole purpose of selling smokeless devices and e-juice. Landing a job in one of these stores doesn’t require educational qualifications, but you will need to be familiar with the industry as well as possess customer service skills. 

·      Delivery Person 

Much like a pizza business, most industries offer delivery services that are unable to make it to the physical stores. Marijuana delivery drivers could work for dispensaries or retailers or for third-party cannabis delivery companies. This job typically requires a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and no criminal record. 

·      Store Manager 

Like any retail operation, a marijuana dispensary needs a manager who will be responsible for daily operations, managing staff, handling law enforcement, communicating with vendors, training employees, and so on. In addition, a store manager is also required to stay current on relevant regulations to ensure full compliance by all employees. 

·      Cannabis Consultant

Every industry has consultants, and it isn’t very different in cannabis. Cannabis consultants are people who are growing specialists but don’t own farms but rather help cannabis entrepreneurs get their businesses off the launching pad. This job requires a practical understanding of how to run a cannabis company as well as how to help businesses get a real identity in the competitive industry. 

·      Cannabis Extraction Technician 

Sometimes referred to as ‘Master Extractor,’ the cannabis extraction technician oversees the process of extracting cannabis oils and concentrates from the harvested marijuana plant, and making sure they’re safe for human consumption. They also manage laboratory activities and make sure that that everything is compliant with strict safety standards and government regulations. Due to the sensitive nature of the job, only those with certificates (like a Ph.D. in biochemistry) and several years of experience can apply for the position.

·      Master Grower 

Growing marijuana on a large scale requires extensive knowledge of the plant as well as the ability to manage a team that will handle several activities, including planting, cloning, feeding, watering, pest management, grow-house technology, and more. The master grower will also be responsible for full compliance with local and federal laws and will have to interact regularly with inspectors. Those who want to apply for this position will need a background in horticulture or botany, as well as plenty of experience with the cultivation of cannabis. 

·      Administration 

Every business requires some form of administration, and it’s always best to employ people with administrative skills. Administrative staff can help create processes to help the operations of the business run smoothly as well as implement them. It requires a great deal of administration to check patients or customers in, ensure shipments and accounts are in order, manage customer complaints, and more. Administrative jobs are particularly suitable for professionals like accountants, secretarial, and marketing specialists. 

·      Trimmer, Harvester or Cultivator 

Trimming jobs are probably the most common entry-level opportunities in the cannabis industry. Trimmers manicure the cannabis plants by cutting buds and preparing them for the master grower to cure. The job is important as it makes it possible for customers to get the most for their money. Trimming jobs might be tedious, but they still need to be done. 

·      Marijuana or Edible Packager 

As the name suggests, the jobs involve safely and efficiently packaging cannabis or cannabis-infused products, rod distribution, and sale. It is an excellent opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the business and work your way up.

·      Security 

Dispensaries, retailers, and cannabis companies need security to keep marijuana products, equipment, and cash. This is very crucial since marijuana is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the U.S. federal law. In addition, cultivators, processors, distributor, and testing labs need security, so this job that is available in multiple parts of the supply chain.

·      Quality control Inspector or Marijuana Tester 

Quality control inspectors can work in either private establishments or government agencies. They are individuals that inspect cultivation operations to ensure they meet high standards and that the processes adhere to strict regulations. Since their job has to do with enforcing marijuana cultivation laws, people who want to apply for this job must have a background in cannabis-related fields like chemistry, biology, agronomy, or entomology. 

Wrap-up 

Job creation isn’t the only reason more people are looking at the cannabis industry as a career choice; they’re also attracted to the salaries and advancement opportunities. If you’ve made up your mind to shift to the industry, it’s high time you started job hunting, and an excellent place to look for job listings is The Cannabis Job Board as there’s a good chance of finding your dream job there.