Florida Marijuana Jobs : Updated Guide 2025

There’s no denying that the Sunshine State is one of the fastest-growing cannabis job markets in the world.

A report by Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics indicates that Florida is expected to bring in about $10 billion over the next five years. 

Florida is the third-most populous state in the country and has one of the largest registered patient counts in the country.

In terms of cannabis job growth, analysts predict the state’s medical cannabis market could create even more marijuana jobs in Florida in industries such as cannabis cultivation, cannabis extraction, and more.

Is Marijuana Legal In Florida?

In 2016, medical marijuana use was legalized via a constitutional amendment and approved by voters with a 71 percent vote.

Currently, cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Florida but voters will have a chance to vote on recreational cannabis this year.

The medical marijuana law allows patients with qualifying conditions to receive medical cannabis treatment.

Florida’s medical marijuana market alone is responsible for the momentous demand and remarkable revenue growth.

Florida Marijuana Jobs

Florida medical marijuana jobs are more accessible than ever, but the job market can become quite competitive.

Florida dispensaries and cultivators are looking for dependable and knowledgeable job candidates who know the basics of cannabis.

In the first year of legal sales, Florida’s medical marijuana market saw a 93 percent increase in revenue.

By 2023 Florida had more than 880,000 registered patients. There were over 640 dispensaries in Florida with 2.6 billion in cannabis sales in 2024.

Even without a robust recreational market, Florida is ripe for marijuana job growth in cultivation, retail, manufacturing, extraction, cooking, healthcare, and many more cannabis-related job sectors. 

Per Florida law, cannabis industry employees must be at least 21 years of age. Experience and educational levels vary by job position.

Job applicants may also be subject to a comprehensive background check and a drug screening test before getting hired. 

Florida Marijuana Cultivation Jobs

Florida’s cultivation field is hiring for many different cultivation positions including trimmer, assistant grower, and master grower.

Master grower may grow cannabis or hemp in a large-scale facility and manage every aspect of plant growth along with a team of growers. A master grower in Florida can earn well over six figures.

Entry-level job applicants can apply to become a trimmer or cultivation technician in Florida to build their way up the job ladder.

For trimmers, positions may require at least a year of trimming experience or experience in the agriculture industry. A trimming position in Florida pays about $16 an hour.

Trimmers are responsible for cutting and preparing marijuana flowers. Trimmers may help out in propagating, cultivating, harvesting, and packaging the product. Trimmers must be adept at noticing pests or diseases and pruning the leaf according to the company’s best practices.

Trimmers can work their way up to become a grower’s assistant.

A growing assistant may require a Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a relevant field, but companies may also look for applicants with three to five years of experience in a related position.

Assistant cannabis growers can earn between $40,000 and $50,000 per year.

Florida Dispensary Jobs

Dispensary managers take care of the day-to-day operations of a retail location in accordance with state and local regulations.

Managers must create a work schedule, train new employees, meet sales quotas, approve payroll, manage inventory, and ensure that staff are providing the best customer service to patients, caregivers, and vendors. A dispensary manager can earn about $60,000 a year or more.

An assistant general manager is responsible for helping the dispensary manager with managing the day-to-day operations of a medical cannabis dispensary. 

An assistant manager will oversee patient identification and document certain inventory information. An assistant manager in Florida can earn between $17 and $25 per hour.

A Florida budtender is a highly motivated and energetic individual with a passion for helping medical patients find the right type of cannabis on a consistent basis.

Budtenders must exhibit professionalism and compassion when explaining the different cannabis terms and medicinal products. 

Budtending positions may require at least three years of experience in retail and using a point-of-sale system.

Budtenders can earn between $17 and $21 per hour. No certification is needed, but applicants can earn online marijuana certification for a better chance at getting hired.

Florida Cannabis Extraction Jobs

Florida is also hiring in the cannabis extraction job sector. Extraction technicians support the entire extraction process.

Applicants must know how to use the equipment and systems associated with concentrate production. Applicants may need a Bachelor’s or Associate degree and knowledge about solventless extraction methods.

Extraction technicians can earn about $60,000 per year.

A master extractor or director of cannabis extraction can earn more than six figures. Master extractors are responsible for managing the entire facility and personnel.

The head of the extraction facility is in charge of remaining compliant with state law. The master extractor is ultimately responsible for producing pure and potent cannabis extracts.

Florida Ancillary Cannabis Jobs

Florida has also seen a surge for certified marijuana doctor positions. For these positions, applicants must be licensed as an MD or DO and have a medical marijuana certification.

Prior experience prescribing marijuana is not necessary. Florida marijuana doctors can earn between $100,000 to $300,000 a year. 

A packaging and warehouse position can pay about $16.50 per hour. A warehouse worker is responsible for tracking inventory and managing production goals. A packager may process orders and coordinate with carriers to ensure speedy shipping. 

Packagers must understand state and local medical marijuana laws and how they apply to certain processes. This position may also require keeping records of shipped and received goods and operating large machinery.

Other ancillary cannabis industries hiring include sales, accounting, attorneys, marketing, security, distribution, delivery, and so much more.

Florida Marijuana Job Benefits

Florida’s medical marijuana jobs can also come with some enticing job perks and benefits. Besides a competitive salary, companies may offer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, personal time off and holiday for management positions.

Entry-level positions can sometimes earn many of these same job benefits as well as store discounts and bonuses.

Do Florida Jobs Allow Medical Marijuana Use?

Florida allows the use and sale of medical marijuana, but employers can still maintain a drug-free workplace.

Generally, employers are able to enforce zero-tolerance policies, but legislators are fighting for protections for medical users against employers. Certain safety-sensitive positions would not qualify for the protections.

Cannabis Legalization In Florida

An overwhelming majority of Florida voters already support marijuana legalization.

Despite the massive support for weed by Floridians, initiatives have failed to make it to the recent 2022 ballot. One of the major two initiatives ran out of money, while the other failed to reach enough signatures due to certain provisions in the proposed bill.

Voters will have another chance to vote on recreational marijuana in November. Projections see the initiative getting the 60% it needs to pass.

The Critical State-Mandated Employee Requirements

Working in Florida’s cannabis industry requires following very specific rules.

• Mandatory Employee Identification Card (ID Badge):
  Every employee working for a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC—the only licensed business type in Florida) must hold a state-issued MMTC Employee Identification Card.
• The Process:
  1. The MMTC registers the new hire’s name with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU).
  2. The employee completes a Level 2 Background Screening, including fingerprinting.
  3. Once approved, the state issues the ID badge.
• Actionable Tip:
  Job seekers should know they cannot begin work until the card is approved. The process can take several weeks, so plan ahead and be patient.

The Unique MMTC Vertical Integration Model

Florida’s market structure is unlike most other states.

• What Vertical Integration Means:
  By law, the same licensed company must manage cultivation, processing, and dispensaries.
• Impact on Careers:
  • There are no independent small growers or processors; all roles are with a few large MMTCs (like Trulieve, Curaleaf, MÜV).
  • Employees often transfer between cultivation, extraction, and retail roles within the same company, creating career growth opportunities.
• Actionable Tip:
  Research the major MMTCs operating in Florida — they are the only entities hiring for plant-touching positions.

Detailed Soft Skills for the Florida Market

Technical knowledge is important, but Florida emphasizes patient care and compliance.

• Medical Consultation Focus:
  Budtenders are known as Patient Consultants. They should:
  • Use symptom-based selling: ask about the patient’s condition and symptoms.
  • Provide dosage and route guidance: explain inhalation, oral, and sublingual options, with safe starting doses.
• Compliance Communication:
  Consultants must clearly explain regulations:
  • 70-Day Supply Limit: How the state tracks possession cycles.
  • 35-Day Inhalation Limit: The specific cap on flower products.
  • Physician Certification Requirement: That MMTCs fill doctor’s recommendations but are not doctors.

Current Market Outlook and Next Steps

Florida’s medical cannabis market is large, but recreational legalization could transform it.

• If Recreational Passes:
  • Thousands of new jobs would open quickly across cultivation, processing, and retail.
  • The state may issue new licenses, finally allowing smaller businesses to enter the market.
• Actionable Next Steps for Job Seekers:
  1. Earn a cannabis certification (like CTU’s) to show knowledge.
  2. Complete a Level 2 Background Check to be prepared.
  3. Watch the career pages of Florida’s MMTCs.
  4. Build a resume highlighting customer service, cash handling, and compliance skills.

FAQs for the Florida Cannabis Job Market

Florida Marijuana College

If you want to learn how to get a job in Florida’s competitive medical marijuana industry, join Cannabis Training U’s online cannabis college for a complete education on the essentials of cannabis as an industry, the science of the plant, state regulations, and more fundamental topics. 

Students can join online cannabis school and learn from any Florida city and beyond as long as they have an internet connection and a phone, tablet, or laptop. Start your journey toward a rewarding career in cannabis today with CTU.