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| 25 Oct 2023 | |
| Written by AARP Alumni | |
| Careers News |
With over 428,000 full-time equivalent jobs, many people wonder how they can start working in weed. From high-paying corporate positions to entry-level gigs, there’s a cannabis career for pretty much anyone.
For those seeking a job in the newly minted marijuana market, these six positions are in sky-high demand.
RELATED: Cannabis jobs you never knew existed
Cultivation facility team lead
It takes a lot of work to grow good cannabis. Between watering and feeding plants, harvesting and bucking, and trimming cured buds, there are several steps from seed to sale.
Many cultivation facilities rely on automation for some of the tasks at hand. But a crew of people is still needed to ensure things run smoothly. From keeping rooms sanitary to monitoring environmental controls, there’s plenty to do. Working at a grow is hard work, and running a crew can be even more difficult.
Cultivation managers are crucial. They keep tabs on standard operating procedures and ensure plants are healthy. If not for the team lead, the facility may face low yields and subpar product.
Extraction technician
Another space that requires precision and efficiency is the extraction laboratory. Concentrated cannabis is used in edibles, tinctures, vape carts, and other products, meaning it’s always in high demand.
Extraction technicians operate special equipment designed to separate the active ingredients in cannabis from the plant. This may include hydrocarbon processes like butane hash oil or water-based extraction such as live rosin. With the never-ending need for cannabis oil, these jobs are a big part of the supply chain.
Community educator
The cannabis learning curve is steep. For the average American, figuring out what products exist and what to pick is a mind-boggling experience. The mere idea of going into a dispensary can be overwhelming. All this creates a real need for compassionate and empathetic educators.
Patient consultants, community educators, and plant experts help connect the dots for the canna-curious. They may provide classes or one-on-one meetings that create a safe space for people to learn. Some brands are even opting to create their own in-house specially trained teams that visit places like senior living communities (coupons in hand).
These stewards of the plant reach people on their level, opening doors and sharing knowledge.
Cannabis marketplace and online resource Leafly released its annual jobs report recently, declaring that there “has never been a better time to land a job in the legal cannabis ind… More...