Laid Off? Try The Cannabis Industry

As more states legalize cannabis and new weed markets expand, industry hiring remains strong. A new study from the CannabizTeam, an executive search and staffing firm, estimates there will be about 108,000 new cannabis jobs in 2023.

Whether you’ve got a PhD or a prior conviction for possession, you should be able to find a good fit with the industry’s broad spectrum of opportunities. Like any sector, there are executives, number crunchers, programmers, marketers and sales people needed, as well as ancillary service providers like lawyers and public relations specialists. But beyond that, plant biologists, chemists, farmers, food and beverage experts, gardeners, and front-line budtenders with personal product experience, are just some of the other specialists in who are in demand.

According to the report, the three main areas in the industry, cultivation, testing and retail, are all hiring. There are also opportunities for suppliers to these areas including sellers of farm equipment and lighting, chemical analysis equipment and merchandising supplies.

Growing high-quality marijuana efficiently on a large scale is one of the best-paying jobs with vice presidents of cultivation making an average of $256,300 per year. Chief financial officers are in high demand as well. Companies need accurately managed and transparent finances, and the highly-regulated cannabis industry requires extra attention to detail.

Branding and marketing are arguably among the most important functions in cannabis. Each new state that legalizes the substance offers up a wide-open marketplace to companies looking to build brand recognition and customer mind-share. The lack of federal legalization means no national brands have emerged yet. For now, each state has specific restrictions on how, when and where cannabis can be advertised so as in all areas of this new industry, specific expertise is a must.