The increase in legalized medical and recreational pot means more ways to earn a living in the cannabis industry. Here are tips on how to do it.
1. Be willing to start at the bottom. If they don’t have specialized skills, many people get a foot in the door as trimmers or in a retail sales capacity.
2. Know the product. A passion for cannabis and an understanding of the terminology and the consumer culture are assets.
3. Stalk the law. Legislation and regulations are changing constantly and vary from state to state. This information is critical to cannabusiness owners and workers.
4. Be professional.
5. Combine academics with real-world experience, such as a horticulture degree along with growhouse experience.
6. Think outside the box. Ancillary businesses such as marketing, accounting, packaging, water filtration, design and manufacturing are all enjoying increased opportunities thanks to the cannabis industry’s growth.
7. Network. Whether it’s through your social circles, the cannabis classes or school you’re attending, or industry events and conferences, you need to get advice and connect with others in the field.
Top 5 In-Demand Skills
1. Sales and marketing
2. Administrative
3. Dispensary-related
4. Medical
5. Manufacturing/growing/edibles
A Native American permit means big job growth for everyone.
Federal law has been changed to allow Native American tribes to grow marijuana on their territories in states where the practice is legal. Experts expect this to be a boon for jobseekers and entrepreneurs alike. “This could easily generate 100,000 new jobs within a few years,” says WeedHire.com’s David Bernstein.
Experts point to the economic impact that legalized gambling on reservations has had for entire communities. According to the National Indian Gaming Commission, since Native American tribes began opening casinos in the late 1970s, the industry has grown to generate some $28 billion in annual revenue and to employ more than 612,000 people. It also pays in excess of $9 billion in local, state and federal taxes.
In March, several tribes joined the newly formed National Indian Cannabis Coalition, which seeks to educate its membership and promote the industry. All eyes are on the 2016 presidential election to see if it will bring about changes to the country’s cannabis laws overall, including those affecting Native American territories.
