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Pennsylvania marijuana jobs in cannabis careers are growing. The Keystone State is the fifth most populated state in the country. Its medical market has about 330,000 registered patients as of the end of June 2020. As a quiet success story, the state's weed jobs are in high demand. Here's how you can get your career started in the industry.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Cannabis Laws

The state launched its medical program in February 2018. Since then, the market has grown fast. In fact, the industry doubled in size in 2019 to reach $406 million. In the same year, the state supported 8,756 full-time pot jobs. While this is slow growth compared to other states, they’re impressive numbers.

Experts predict that the state's market will reach $1 billion in sales within four years. Polling suggests that 62% of residents support legal weed. Bipartisan support gave rise to the medical program. The Republican-controlled Senate has stalled legalization efforts. Support for legal weed could be gaining after the COVID-19 crisis. A need for more revenue in the state could push legal weed efforts forward.

Dispensary Jobs

The state capped its dispensary licenses at 50. Each license holder can open up to three locations. A total of 150 dispensaries can open across the state. As of late June 2020, 87 shops were active. The state's retail market is looking for knowledgeable and experienced people to hire. Here are just a few of the pot jobs available in your state.

Budtender

Patient care specialists and wellness advisors are on the retail front lines. These budtenders provide guidance and education to patients. You'll need to make sure every patient gets the right medication. It's up to you to choose a product that can relieve their condition. You’ll also need to verify documentation to ensure patient compliance.

Security Officer

Proper security is a requirement for a pot business. Dispensaries and growers are prone to theft and loss. As a security guard, you must monitor the premises on foot. You'll also check the security footage. You'll need to identify threats and safety hazards. Security officers must pass a criminal background check and have a clean record. Weed companies prefer applicants with previous security experience.

Cultivation Jobs

The state limited its weed grower and processor licenses to 25. As of late June, 15 pot growers and processors were distributing products. Weed home gardens aren't legal in the state. Residents must rely on growers for their weed. A range of entry-level and advanced positions are available in this field.

Trimmer

Weed trimmers are responsible for trimming and processing cured flower. As a trimmer, you'll need to prune, weigh, and organize the flower buds. You may need to process pre-rolls for retail sale. Trimmers must harvest plants and hang them to cure and dry. You'll have to make sure you’re compliant with seed-to-sale tracking software.

Growing Assistant

Grow technicians assist master growers in the production of medical weed. Growers must perform all duties throughout the plant’s life cycle. Tasks include cloning, transplanting, feeding, waste disposal, and more. You'll need to stay on top of pest management to keep the bugs away. You'll need to properly water all plants to stimulate plant growth.

Processing Jobs

Processing jobs transform flower buds into a variety of products. Product developers and edibles chefs come up with new products.  Quality assurance managers check for product quality. Packaging associates get the product shelf-ready. Entry-level jobs can be a good start to a career in production.

Packager

Packaging associates are in charge of getting weed products ready for sale. The job requires weighing, measuring, labeling, and packaging all products. You’ll need to operate machinery to help you sort and package. You’ll need to visually inspect products to ensure they meet brand and state standards.

Extraction Jobs                                                                                                                

The state allows patients to purchase a number of infused products. These products include pills, extracts, tinctures, topicals, edibles, and patches. All of these products start off with a cannabis oil base. Extraction jobs handle the processing of raw flower. They convert it to a range of oils for infusion.

Extraction Technician

Extraction technicians work with closed-loop extraction equipment in a lab. Chemical solvents strip the flower from its therapeutic resin. As a technician, you’ll need to know how to safely work the machinery. As you refine the oil, you’ll create different extract forms for consumption.

Ancillary Jobs

Applicants may overlook ancillary jobs in the industry. You can find jobs in an accounting firm working the numbers. You can work in a marketing agency to advertise the business. Jobs in business development help the company scale. Weed companies outsource certain duties to ancillary businesses. With the industry’s unique needs, these jobs are set to grow fast.

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Cities with Pot Jobs

The state's employment is mainly in large cities with some exceptions. You can find a large number of marijuana growing and processing jobs in Chambersburg. New Castle and Shamokin Dam also have tons of these jobs. Philadelphia has many dispensary, sales, and marketing jobs. Other popular job hubs include Danville, Brookville, Harrisburg, and Scranton.

Pennsylvania Cannabis College

Cannabis education is a critical component of your resume and skills. CTU’s online weed college prepares you for work in any job sector. Whether you want to become a chef or a master grower, we’ve got you covered. Sign up for our online cannabis courses to learn everything about the plant and more.

Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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