The cannabis industry is expected to bring in $30 billion in sales by 2023 and is rapidly growing as states pass more and more progressive legislation around it. Leafly’s annual Cannabis Jobs Report found 243,700 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs supported by legal cannabis as of January 2020. And in states where recreational cannabis has just been legalized, they can expect to see an estimated annual revenue of $2 billion or more.

Even taking into account setbacks due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), continued growth for these businesses is still being seen. So how does the cannabis industry create jobs, and what does the trajectory of this industry mean for employees?

While cannabusinesses are still seeing a slow in hiring due to the pandemic, it hasn’t come to a full stop the way it has in other industries. This is due to a couple of factors, including the adjacent industries it touches. Still, most importantly, it can be attributed to the fact that cannabis dispensaries are considered an essential business.

What Makes Marijuana Essential?

Marijuana for medical use is a big part of how cannabis became more mainstream in the United States, and why cannabusinesses are still able to keep their doors open, and their hiring ongoing during this time. More than half of the U.S. states have passed legislation to allow for the growth and sale of marijuana for medical use, and that number is only expected to increase.

Used as a treatment for such medical issues as chronic pain, cancer, IBS, and many more, cannabis in its varying forms is an essential substance in this day and age. Because it is considered medicine for millions of Americans, dispensaries are upkeeping operations, meaning that the supply chains to those dispensaries are too, and so business continues almost as usual.

Roles Within a Cannabusiness

The cannabis industry is not just the growing and selling of marijuana. While the growing, harvesting, and packaging of the product is integral to these businesses, many other positions must be staffed to have a successful cannabusiness operation. Think about the process of getting this product into stores. Before it can even be harvested, inspected, packaged, and shipped, the supply chain for materials must be established, the packaging has to be designed, a strategic sales plan must be put in place, and so much more.

There are thousands of roles that are integral to the success of a cannabusiness, and the demand for staffing these roles is only growing. It might come as a surprise that the top cannabis-related jobs in 2019 had nothing to do with the actual growing of marijuana plants. Instead, the top jobs were positions like Director of Sale, Director of Marketing, and Controller.

And new roles are still emerging. The landscape for this budding industry is still growing and changing, but the one constant is the need for passionate and experienced talent. Those who occupy roles in more traditional businesses might be surprised to find that their experience and knowledge are exactly what is needed in the cannabis industry today.

Translating your experience into relevant skills for a role in the cannabis industry is easier than you might think. There are over 250 companies that power this industry with their software alone, and hundreds of adjacent industries that are integral to the success of a cannabusiness. The opportunities are truly endless.

Starting a Career in Cannabis

Since cannabis products, and the businesses that sell them are deemed essential, and the projections for the cannabis industry show incredible growth potential, a career in cannabis is an excellent option for those seeking employment. Cannabis operations need employees from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise, making the transition to a position in a cannabusiness not only easy but beneficial to your career goals.

To make the move to a position in the cannabis industry, you’ll need to know how to find and navigate the opportunities available, translate your experience to reflect the needs of the company and connect with industry insiders. Career opportunities in this emerging market are only expected to expand further, making the possibilities for growth endless. If you’re looking to make a change in your career or take on a new and exciting vertical, then consider cannabis in your next job search.