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Are you interested in learning more about California marijuana jobs and cannabis careers? California supports one of the largest medical and recreational marijuana markets in the country and hires the most full-time cannabis positions in the U.S.!

California’s Medical And Recreational Cannabis Laws

Before you can score a part-time or full-time cannabis job, you’ll have to become intimately familiar with the Golden State’s medical and recreational cannabis laws to get an idea for how the state’s program runs and what work would be ideal for you. 

California voters legalized medical cannabis in 1996 and recreational marijuana use in 2016. California has been an industry leader since the beginning. Local governments, however, can ban cannabis businesses in their jurisdiction.

In California, you must be at least 21 years old to work in the cannabis industry. Employers may also perform a background check, although lawmakers are working on streamlining the expungement process for certain cases involving marijuana possession.

California’s Blazing Hot Cannabis Industry: Cannabis Jobs

Let’s say you meet all the requirements for working in the cannabis industry. Why should you pursue a career in this new and quasi-legal industry? California’s industry has undergone growing pains like many other markets, but continues to be a leader in revenue and job growth.

California cannabis jobs were skyrocketing a few years ago, but have now slowed down to consistent and balanced growth after recreational cannabis came into play. California is expected to add hundreds of new cannabis shops and 85 groups currently hold event licenses.

Some California municipalities are having a change of heart after initially banning cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. New cannabis operations may begin soon after cities have seen the economic boom the industry has been for other cities and counties.

California recorded $2.03 billion in legal marijuana sales in 2019 and supported 39,804 full-time cannabis jobs. Amidst coronavirus concerns, many cannabis businesses in California are thriving as ‘essential businesses'.

Marijuana Cultivation Jobs In California

Marijuana master growers are the backbone of the industry. These marijuana growing job positions in California manage indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse facilities and are responsible for maintaining optimal plant health. Master growers can earn at least $100,000 a year.

Assistant marijuana growers manage grow house protocols and a team of employees. A horticulture degree or previous large-scale cultivation experience is a plus. Assistant marijuana growers can earn $30,000 – $60,000 annually.

Marijuana trimmers are important California marijuana farm jobs. They are in charge of hand pruning and post-harvest tasks. Trimmers must be focused on manicuring buds to the brand’s quality standards. Cannabis trimmers in California can earn about $15 an hour. Pay structures may also depend on pounds of cannabis trimmed.

Marijuana Dispensary Jobs In California

Dispensary managers must oversee retail operations, train staff, enforce dispensary policies, manage financial records, and perform other business-related duties. Dispensary managers require years of management experience and can earn about $55,000 a year.

Assistant managers help out dispensary managers by engaging with customers and increasing product sales. Assistant managers supervise the staff, manage day-to-day operations, and must have previous management experience. Assistant dispensary managers can earn about $17 an hour in California. 

Marijuana budtenders or cannabis consultants in California are responsible for providing customers with a welcoming and streamlined shopping experience. Budtenders may provide recommendations and explain products to consumers with different needs. 

Dispensaries may not require any specific educational requirements or experience, as long as you have a passion and knowledge about cannabis. Budtenders in California can earn about $15 an hour.

Marijuana Delivery Jobs In California

Cannabis delivery drivers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance policy, as well as a relatively clean driving record. Cannabis delivery drivers may either deliver cannabis products to homes from dispensaries or products between businesses.

Cannabis delivery drivers in California can earn between $30,000 and $90,000 a year depending on the growth opportunities available at the company. Drivers also earn tips with every order, as well as quarterly bonuses, in some cases.

Marijuana Distribution Jobs In California

Marijuana distributors are responsible for transporting goods from producers to retailers. One of the most crucial jobs in the sector is a quality assurance specialist who inspects all products before incoming and outgoing shipments. QA Specialists can earn about $22 hourly.

Production technicians working for cannabis distributors are responsible for weighing, assembling, and packaging cannabis products such as flower and pre-rolls. Packagers must count, process, and pack these goods for distribution. They can earn about $15 hourly.

Marijuana Extraction Jobs In California

Marijuana extraction companies in California pump out pure and potent concentrates for vape pens, edibles, and more. Extraction technicians are responsible for performing solvent-based extraction, crude processing, quality control, and other lab duties.

Lab technicians may require a high school diploma or GED and a background in chemistry or performing lab work. Lab technicians in extraction companies can earn between $18 and $25 an hour in California.

Marijuana Ancillary Jobs In California

Marijuana Sales Jobs In California

Apart from retail sales within dispensaries, Californians can also get a job as an inside or outside sales representatives responsible for creating relationships with dispensaries and other cannabis businesses. Sales representatives in California can earn about $40,000 a year.

Marijuana Administrative Jobs In California

Front desk receptionist and other administrative positions abound in the cannabis industry in dispensaries, distributors, labs, and other job sectors. Receptionists must be friendly, fast typers, and familiar with the cannabis industry. They can earn about $15 an hour.

Marijuana Media & Marketing Jobs In California

Marketing agencies, freelancers, and other media professionals are hiring skilled photographers, writers, videographers, graphic designers and on-camera personalities to market their cannabis business.

Where To Find Cannabis Jobs In California?

Metropolitan cities tend to have a more robust marijuana market compared to suburban or rural communities in California. Local job markets depend on whether cannabis businesses are allowed and if businesses are hiring.

In 2017, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento took the second, third, and sixth positions, respectively, as the cities that had the most available marijuana jobs. Today, Los Angeles continues to be the epicenter of cannabis jobs in the Golden State. 

There are over 300,000 jobs in the cannabis industry. CTU trained me for one of them!

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San Francisco and Sacramento also continue to provide some cannabis job opportunities. San Diego, Santa Rosa, San Jose, Salinas, Essex, Oakland, Long Beach, Vallejo, and Arcata are just a few of many California cities with cannabis businesses currently hiring.

California Marijuana College

Join tens of thousands of full-time marijuana employees in California by applying for one of the hundreds of jobs available on job boards right now. Increase the likelihood of getting hired by signing up for the best cannabis college, CTU and earn your cannabis certification online

Sign up for CTU’s online marijuana training program today!

Jeffrey (Jeff) Zorn-CEO Cannabis Training University picture
Jeff Zorn

Jeff Zorn, a collegiate basketball player, discovered the transformative power of medical cannabis after a significant injury. He founded Cannabis Training University (CTU), a groundbreaking institution dedicated to disseminating comprehensive information about the cannabis industry. With a team of skilled educators and faculty members, CTU has reached thousands of students worldwide. As an esteemed cannabis business expert, Jeff regularly contributes thought-provoking articles online, providing invaluable guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs. CTU has grown from a single student in 2009 to a global phenomenon with over 80,000 students.

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