According to a Grand View Research analysis, the cannabis industry is expected to continue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 14.9 percent from 2022 to 2030 in the U.S. (from $13.2 billion in 2022 to a $40 billion increase in 2030).

A growing industry means more jobs.

Thanks to legal cannabis, plentiful professionals can explore their passion for cannabis in a regulated, lawful manner — thus building their careers in cannabis and getting a foot in the door during the industry’s current stage of relative infancy.

It can be overwhelming to switch and begin searching for cannabis jobs. Luckily, there are many options for folks with various skill sets, regardless of your direct experience in the industry.

Cannabis Retail Jobs

The most common cannabis retail interaction is with your friendly neighborhood budtender and dispensary workers more than any other cannabis profession on our list.

Working at a dispensary is one of the most accessible entry jobs into the industry as more and more medical and recreational shops begin to build around the country. Experience is generally preferred to get a position, but it is not often required.

Budtenders

A fun play on the word “bartenders,” anyone who has purchased cannabis from a dispensary has interacted with a budtender in some form or fashion.

Budtenders are responsible for helping customers and patients through their product choices and overall transaction, checking them out at the register, answering questions about different options and their effects, making recommendations based on the customer’s needs, and ensuring store compliance.

Inventory Workers

Many dispensaries have a back-of-house team that focuses on inventory, often going unseen employees who work with products for compliance accuracy.

They often secure products in the state seed-to-sale compliance system, ensuring they are correctly entered into the store POS with accurate weight and pricing. In addition, all cannabis products are accurately labeled with cannabinoid amounts, barcodes, and other required language, ensuring that the packaging is compliant.

Retail Managers

Cannabis retailer managers usually start as budtenders. Shift leaders often work to oversee the front-of-house. Their duties typically include coverage for budtenders on breaks, ensuring they practice proper compliance techniques, delegating tasks to the dispensary staff, and facilitating opening and closing procedures.

Depending on the dispensary, retail managers and shift leaders may focus more on patient coordination, inventory, and compliance management.

Cannabis Cultivation Jobs

Working behind the scenes in a growing facility can be an extremely fulfilling and enriching role. We wouldn’t be able to enjoy the plant's many benefits without growers making it all happen!

Working in cultivation will require a bit of ‘climbing the ladder’ if you want to make some of the big bucks. Still, there are several cannabis jobs to pursue within the cultivation space, depending on your experience upon entering the field.

Trimmer

Being a trimmer is one of the most common entry-level positions within cultivation. As a trimmer working at a cultivation site, you are responsible for trimming the leaves of plants, removing buds from the stems, and ensuring that they are prepared for curing and sale.

Good trimmers are also quick, focused, and detail-oriented individuals and should come into the career with a passion for the green thumb life.

Master Grower

There is a particular craft and magic behind being a master grower of cannabis.

A master grower is responsible for managing growth operations, planning, crop nutrition, pest control, and ensuring the safest and highest-quality cannabis for the company.

Master growers also communicate with law enforcement and compliance inspectors. This means that attention to the rules and regulations around cannabis growing is crucial to this career.

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Ancillary Cannabis Jobs

Lastly, on our list, there is a unique side of the cannabis industry focusing on other specialized skills.

Ancillary cannabis jobs generally mean that you will not work directly with the plant and often focus on other specialized aspects that help cannabis businesses run smoothly.

This is undoubtedly a broad category. This section could include several other positions, from software programmers to website builders, accountants, and legal teams.

Let’s talk about a few careers many take on in the field.

Cannabis Salesperson

Cannabis sales representatives usually work on behalf of growers, concentrate companies, edible companies, and more to sell products to dispensaries.

We know that there are opportunities for a lot of money to be made in cannabis. A salesperson can be a great way to get in on those benefits.

Brand Ambassador

A brand ambassador is someone who works in sales and customer service.

This position is often representative of a cannabis brand. Working in capacities such as being at scheduled pop-up events at dispensaries, competitions and conventions, local events, budtender training, and more.

Cannabis Writer

A cannabis writer might have different focuses that they can share with the industry.

Ranging from journalistic, copywriting, content writing, and social media strategies are just some of the offerings that cannabis writers can offer to potential clients in freelance capacities and in-house for a cannabis brand.