420 Careers Are Gaining Popularity

Over the past couple of decades, legal cannabis has created one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country. Cannabis offers job seekers of all skill levels an opportunity to work directly with the plant or serve an ancillary function like accounting or marketing.

If you are interested in finding a rewarding career in the cannabis industry, there are many ways to find employment, even without experience. Here's a breakdown of the industry's rapid job growth and how you can find your dream career.

What Are 420 Careers?

Marijuana industry jobs cover various sectors, from indoor or outdoor gardens growing cannabis plants to retail stores selling cannabis products. Here are a few of the most common 420 careers.

Cultivation

• Bud trimmer: Cannabis trimmers harvest cannabis plant buds, which include removing leaves and stems, weighing the bud, and packaging the flower product.
• Head grower: A head grower oversees the entire cultivation operation, including hiring and training assistant growers and trimmers.

Processing

• Packager: A cannabis packager weighs, labels, and packages the flower or extract product
• Extraction technician: An extraction technician converts cannabis plants into extracts using solventless or solvent-based equipment in a lab setting.
• Edibles chef: An edibles chef creates cannabis-infused foods and beverages using flower or extracts in a commercial kitchen.
• Kitchen assistant: A kitchen assistant is responsible for setting up the equipment and keeping the kitchen clean and organized.

Retail

• Budtender: A budtender works directly with dispensary customers and helps them find the right products.
• Dispensary manager: A dispensary manager runs the day-to-day operations of a retail shop, including working with vendors, managing inventory, and handling customer complaints.

Ancillary

• IT
• Law
• Real estate
• Marketing
• Security
• Accounting

Cannabis Supports Nearly Half a Million American Marijuana Jobs

Cannabis careers are growing at a fast pace throughout the country. From 2021 to 2022, cannabis jobs increased by 107,059. As of 2022, cannabis supports 428,059 jobs in the U.S. From 2020 to 2021, cannabis jobs increased by 77,300 to 321,000 total cannabis jobs.

Cannabis is the fastest-growing job sector in the country, with many more states hoping to legalize cannabis over the next few years. Beyond the U.S., CBD and cannabis markets are quickly growing worldwide, a promising sign of massive job growth in the future.

Where to Find 420 Careers in Your State

Cannabis jobs can be found across numerous job boards online, but a lot of it happens through in-person networking at local industry events.

Online Job Boards

Many traditional online job boards show part-time, full-time, and contractor positions in the cannabis industry. Here are a few online job boards where you can find cannabis jobs: 

• Indeed
• Ziprecruiter
• Glassdoor
• SimplyHired
• Craigslist
• LinkedIn

420 Career Boards

Some online job boards focus exclusively on 420 jobs. These include Ganjapreneur and 420JobsBoard. Cannabis companies may post a featured job listing on the job board or you can search by employers or positions in sales, cultivation, retail, manufacturing, and more. 

Recruitment Agencies

Recruiting agencies and placement companies such as Viridian Staffing, Ms. Mary Staffing, and the Cannabis Job Board can match employers with job seekers with the right skills. Browse job openings and create a candidate profile to show hiring companies. 

Social Media

Follow cannabis companies on social media accounts since they may post job opportunities or you can direct message them to start building a rapport. 

You can also sign up for the newsletters of your favorite local dispensary, grower, or other cannabis company.  Once you have successfully joined the subscriber list, you can get company updates and events.

How to Get Hired 

As more states and countries legalize cannabis, marijuana jobs will rise. With such a high demand for cannabis workers, the job market is competitive. Here's how to stand out from the competition and find your cannabis job.

Research State and Local Cannabis Laws

Check to see if you are eligible to work in your state’s cannabis market. Find out the employee requirements for cannabis workers.

Earn Cannabis Industry Experience

Find a similar job outside the cannabis industry to earn soft and hard skills that can transfer to the cannabis industry. You can also volunteer at local cannabis advocacy groups to get experience in the industry.

Enroll in Cannabis Industry Training

Cannabis industry certification is not required to work in cannabis, but it can give you a leg up over the competition. Cannabis Training University (CTU) is the industry's most recognized and respected certification. 

Make a Resume and Cover Letter

Cover letters and resume showcase your skills, experience, and other qualifications for the job. Since most people don’t bother making a cover letter, you will be ahead of the other job applicants. 

Network

A lot of hiring happens offline in networking events with business leaders and other people in the industry. On top of attending local industry events, you can create your job profile on LinkedIn, join groups, and make connections with others in the industry.

Apply for Cannabis Jobs

Set up a job alert for your desired position on different job boards and apply as soon as they post jobs to have the best chance of getting hired. Include your resume and cover letter. Most job boards are free to join.

Ace the Job Interview

Ask a friend to go over commonly asked job interview questions to have an answer prepared. You should also prepare a few questions of your own to determine if the company is the right fit for you.