How To Get a Cannabis Job In West Virginia

If you're interested in working in the Mountain State’s cannabis industry, check out our guide on how to get a cannabis job in West Virginia. In 2017, the state legalized medical cannabis use, but its program has been slow to start. If you want to be ready for the expected spring 2021 launch date, we'll show you how.

West Virginia Cannabis Jobs

Under West Virginia's medical cannabis program, regulators can issue 10 grower licenses, 10 processor licenses, and 100 dispensary licenses. With its limited license availability, the competition to land a cannabis job will be stiff. Here are a few cannabis jobs you can expect to become available before the program launches.

Retail

• Budtender: Help medical patients find the right cannabis product for their specific medical condition, all with a smile.
• Reception: Welcome and sign in new and returning patients. Perform a host of administrative duties.
• Security: Monitor the facility for suspicious activity to prevent theft, loss, or injury.
• Dispensary manager: Manage the day-to-day operations of a medical dispensary. Hire and train staff to remain compliant with state and local regulations.

Cultivation

•  Cultivation assistant: Assist the head grower with various cultivation tasks throughout the plant’s life cycle.
•  Trimmer: Assist in harvesting and processing cannabis buds for sale.
•  Head grower: Manage every aspect of the commercial cultivation facility.

Processing

• Packaging: Properly weigh, label, and package cannabis flower and its derivative products.
• Quality assurance: Ensure the supply chain operations meet state and local regulations.
• Inventory: Order and track inventory throughout the production process.
• Edibles chef: Create new and exciting edibles products from raw cannabis material.

Minimum Age Requirement

Under state law, all cannabis industry employees in West Virginia must be over the age of 21 to work at any cannabis facility. While patients 18 and over (and minors with an authorized caregiver) can apply for a medical card, anyone under the age of 21 can't work in a cannabis business.

Legal Requirements

Legally, all cannabis employees (and individuals identified in the cannabis license application) must undergo a pre-screening and criminal background check. A disqualifying offense may prevent you from working in the industry. In addition, all employees must undergo state-mandated training.

Training Requirements

All cannabis employees must complete a two-hour online course approved by the Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC). No paper option is available. Participants must pass each training section with a pass rate of 80%. In the course, students will be educated regarding the following:

• West Virginia medical cannabis law
• Rules and policies
• How to recognize and report unauthorized activity
• Proper handling of medical cannabis
• Proper record-keeping
• Prevention and detection of the diversion of medical cannabis
• Transportation
• Dispensing
• Emergency preparedness procedures
• Chemical handling
• Inventory control systems
• Storage
• Security
• Reporting requirements
• Health and safety considerations

How to Get a Cannabis Job in West Virginia

West Virginia's medical cannabis market has been slow to start but we can expect great things in the near future. If you want to have the best chance of getting hired by a state-licensed business, check out our cannabis career tips:

1. Research: Research your state and local laws, as well as industry trends, products, and cannabis effects.
2. Enroll in West Virginia Cannabis College: Enroll in CTU’s certification program to gain a deeper understanding of how the industry operates. Learn about every part of the industry, not just your chosen field.
3. Build Your Skills:  If you don't have any relevant employment experience, apply for non-cannabis jobs to build your transferable skills.
4. Network: Attend industry events and interact with industry leaders online. Networking helps you build a relationship with business owners who may be hiring.
5. Apply: Create a resume and cover letter to send in with your job application. Don't be afraid to follow up after a week. Hiring managers can get swamped with a pile of job applications.

West Virginia Cannabis Career Training

Do you want to have the best shot at getting a cannabis job in West Virginia? Cannabis Training University provides an affordable and comprehensive training program for students of all skill levels.

Online cannabis career training is not a requirement but can be an invaluable skill that makes your resume and cover letter stand out.

Our courses cover every major aspect of the industry from marijuana basics to the plant’s cultivation to its sale and everything in between. As the world’s most renowned cannabis certification program, CTU provides a strong educational foundation for students and hobbyists around the world.