The legalization of cannabis has done so much more than create a surge in popularity or help combat medical issues.
One of the least-considered but most amazing side effects of the legalization has been the creation of a new job industry. What’s even better about this is that the majority of these jobs have a high pay base.
This innovation in the industry is exactly what we need in today’s economy, and the opportunities will only continue to grow as more states adopt legal status. The best part is, you can find your perfect home in this growing industry.
Here are 12 of the best cannabis careers the industry has to offer, what they require, and how you can get your foot in the door.
Master Grower
Due to cannabis’s illegal status in the past, the position of cannabis grower had some negative connotations and notoriety around it. To most people, only criminals and the likes had anything to do with it at all.
While it is true that the growing of cannabis in most areas is either still illegal or very heavily regulated, a master grower’s job is much different than most people would imagine.
As cannabis is made legal in more and more states, the demand for great product grows daily. A master grower’s job is to meet this demand while ensuring that they’re providing the best product possible.
In many ways, it’s no different than growing any other crop or produce for personal or commercial consumption. It requires a vast knowledge of the crops being grown, experience with many different growing methods, and an eye for detail.
You need to be able to plan your crop to maximize your yield while being able to meet forecasted expectations. You must also be able to spot any potential problems as early as you can and know how to handle these issues as they arise.
This is one of the cannabis careers that requires the most extensive knowledge, but it also commands a high wage. Some of the top growers in this field are reporting six-figure salaries, which is nothing to laugh at.
Even if you don’t have any previous growing experience, it’s not too late to get a head start. There are far more applicants than there are open positions right now, but soon those tables will be reversed, and they’ll need more qualified people.
Bud Trimmer
While this is one of the more entry-level cannabis careers, it’s an excellent place for people interested in the cannabis industry to get started.
The bud trimmer’s job is to carefully tend to the plants, ensuring that only optimum product remains on the plant. This helps the plant achieve the maximum desired attributes, instead of wasting energy on less than desirable and potentially unusable parts.
They’re also responsible for the harvesting of the plant’s product, making sure that only what’s needed is taken, and there’s nothing wasted in the harvesting process.
This job can pay either by the pound or the hour, depending on what setting you work in. The average hourly rate is reported at roughly $13 an hour, while by the pound sales tend to average between $100 to $200.
It’s definitely not the salary of a master grower, but when compared to other entry-level jobs it’s a pretty decent starting base. When you consider that most retail and fast food jobs start out at minimum wage, that’s actually a high rate to start off at.
It also gives you great knowledge of the plants and industry, and there’s always room to grow as you move up the ranks and gain more experience.
Budtender
While this sounds like it should just be another name for a bud trimmer, it’s entirely different.
The budtender is the person who’s behind the dispensary counter, ensuring customers get high-quality products fitting their individual wants and needs.
This job is very focused on the customer service side of things and requires patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of the product that’s sold.
While this may be considered more of a traditional retail setting than other cannabis careers, it still has many perks to offer. The atmosphere is less stressful, you get to be around something you love, and you can often get great discounts!
Dispensary Owner
This is another example of cannabis careers that pay well. That doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park, however.
Owning a successful dispensary requires hard work and dedication. While you won’t likely be involved in the day-to-day running of your shop, you have to worry about more important things like supply, finances, and special regulations.
If you can successfully juggle all the legal regulations with the daily requirements of running a business, you could potentially clear six figures a year. Do you have the drive and passion it takes?
Sales Rep
Sales reps are a vital part of the product distribution process, no matter what industry it is.
Being a sales rep is about more than merely selling some product. It’s about creating a relationship between the grower and the dispensary. It’s also about ensuring the right product goes to the right markets.
You’re also in the position to make sure people stay educated and up-to-date with the latest information and regulations. This makes you a reliable source for more than just a pure product.
While it’s true that you work on commission like any other sales rep, this is one of the cannabis careers that has literally limitless earning potential for the motivated individual.
Web Dev/IT
As cannabis awareness grows and becomes a more wide-spread issue, it only makes sense that its web presence would increase and improve as well.
Dispensary home pages, news blogs, and educational websites are just a few examples of new sites that are popping up on a daily basis. What they all have in common is that they need someone to develop and run them, just like any other business.
If you have a twin love of cannabis and technology, then this is one of the cannabis careers you should place at the top of your list.
Writer
Another great thing about this increased web presence is that these sites need someone to create informational and exciting content for them.
If your flair for words matches your passion for all things cannabis, then this may be an excellent fit for you. There’s a multitude of subjects you can write about, from strain reviews and blog posts to educational articles and even e-books.
This is one of the more versatile cannabis careers, where you’re only limited by your own ingenuity and the time you’re willing to dedicate to it.
Extraction Tech
Like several of the other cannabis careers, this is one that requires a fair amount of training and knowledge before you are eligible.
While smoking cannabis may be the most well-known method of ingestion, not everyone can or even wants to ingest it this way. That’s where an extraction tech comes in.
As a tech, it’s your job to put cannabis through a variety of extraction techniques, which leaves behind the desirable compounds while eliminating unwanted contaminants or plant matter.
Tinctures, rosin chunks, CBD oils, and shatter are just a few examples of products that can be created by these processes. As the demand for these alternative products continues to grow, your earning potential skyrockets.
Edibles Cook
Speaking of alternates, this is one of the cannabis careers that’s both technical and fun. Who wouldn’t want to cook yummy treats all day?
This job isn’t all fun and games, though. Not only does it require culinary skill, but you need technical knowledge of cannabis products and concentrates as well.
You have to make sure that the treats you create are not only effective but safe to consume as well. They also need to be in measured doses, so that people can easily find the right combination that works for their needs.
If you have kitchen or culinary experience, this is definitely a career worth looking into. Edible chefs are often well-paid, and when you think about it, cooking is already about perfecting the proportions of ingredients. What’s one more?
Consultant
This is another one of the cannabis careers that’s highly versatile and can be just about anything you want or need it to be. The flexibility it offers makes it a great option as a side project to get you started in the industry, while you figure out where you want to be.
The one main thing that anyone needs to be a consultant is knowledge. Say that you’ve learned everything there is to know about creating your own grow room but have decided it’s not the right step for you.
Instead of letting that knowledge go to waste, you can become a consultant for others looking to do the same thing. They’re paying you to do their research for them, and you’re helping them succeed in achieving a goal or dream.
Nearly every aspect of the cannabis industry can use consultants, and there’s no reason why you should limit yourself to just one if you don’t want to.
Caregiver
Some cannabis careers sound like something completely different than what they really are, and this is one of them.
The first thing that comes to your mind when you hear ‘caregiver’ is probably something to do with nursing homes and in-home hospice care. While a cannabis caregiver is related to medical issues, it’s not exactly the same thing as a medical caregiver.
The title can vary from state to state, and there are several states that don’t allow cannabis caregivers. For the states that do, your job would be to grow, tend, and provide a small supply of medicinal cannabis to only your registered patients.
Just like medical caregivers, this is a career that requires you to be licensed in order to ensure you perform your duties ethically and adequately. If you want to find out what’s required or if it’s legal where you live, your state’s website is an excellent resource for you to start with.
Lobbyist
In all honesty, being a cannabis lobbyist is more of a volunteer position than a paid career, per se. That doesn’t mean that it’s not incredibly important to the cannabis industry overall, however.
If it weren’t for the hard work of dedicated lobbyists and activists, all forms of cannabis would still be illegal today, even medicinal strains and products. That hard work and passion are what has made these other cannabis careers possible.
It will also continue to boost the growth of this new job industry, which we desperately need as a country.
As a lobbyist, you’d be responsible for a variety of different duties and tasks. This could be something as simple as collecting petition signatures, or more complex like presenting numbers and facts to lawmakers and constituents.
Even if there are not many local opportunities for you to get involved, there are still things at the state and federal levels that can be done to make people’s voices heard. There are also several resources on the web where you can get involved, as well.
Which Of These Cannabis Careers Is Right For You?
In the end, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the cannabis careers that the industry has to offer. Even if none of these are just right for your needs, there’s still plenty of opportunities available to you.
One thing these careers all have in common is that they all require passion, dedication, and a sincere desire for knowledge. What makes them great is that they’re very rewarding, for everyone involved, not just one side or the other.
While the cannabis industry can be very engaging and rewarding, it can also be very confusing at times. If you need someone to guide you through the ins and outs of these cannabis careers, we’re here to help.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you have, and make sure you check out our blog regularly to stay up-to-date with the latest new trends, and useful information!
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