Skip to main content

If you're ready to join the Land of Enchantment’s cannabis workforce, check out our guide on how to get a cannabis job in New Mexico.

New Mexico's medical cannabis market has been rapidly expanding over the past couple of years and recreational cannabis became legal in 2021. If you want to start working in the industry before the big industry boom begins, we'll show you how.

New Mexico Cannabis Jobs

With the legalization of recreational cannabis, we can expect an uptick of jobs in retail, cultivation, processing, and many more segments.

Retail

  • Budtender: Answer patient questions about different strains, products, and effects to help them find the right form of relief for their medical condition.
  • Receptionist: Welcome and check-in new and returning patients. Answer calls and perform other clerical duties.
  • Security officer: Patrol the facility and monitor the CCTV system or suspicious activity. Validate patient IDs and provide traffic control, if needed.
  • Dispensary manager: Manage the day-to-day activities of a retail shop. Hire, train, and supervise an entire staff. Drive up sales. Create budgets. Above all, ensure the shop remains compliant with state and local regulations.

Cultivation

  • Grower’s assistant: Help head growers manage day-to-day assignments of the plant production cycle. Assignments include monitoring plants, trimming, watering, feeding, pest and disease control, and more.
  • Trimmer: Trim multiple pounds of flower buds per day during harvest. Ensure your trimmed buds are of the highest quality and have a huge bag appeal.
  • Master grower: Manage operations at a large scale commercial farm. Stay on top of plant maintenance throughout the growth cycle. Manage a team of assistants to keep plants healthy and equipment running smoothly.

Processing

  • Packager: Weigh, package, and label cannabis flower and/or cannabis-infused products. Conduct quality control, track products, and maintain a clean workspace.
  • Quality control specialist: Sample and inspect finished products. Stay on top of customer complaints and product investigations. Ensure the supply chain is running smoothly and in compliance with state and local regulations.
  • Inventory specialist: Receive and track orders of raw material goods. Assist in inventory audits and processing orders (weighing, labeling, etc).
  • Edibles chef: Create cannabis-infused edibles while following safe food handling procedures.

Minimum Age Requirement

If you want to get a cannabis job in New Mexico, you must be at least 21 years of age. Anyone 18 years of age or older may apply for a medical cannabis card. While minors may also apply for a medical cannabis card (after completing a parental consent form), they are not allowed to work in a cannabis facility.

Legal Requirements

All cannabis employees in New Mexico must apply for a Medical Cannabis Program (MCP) License Identification Card. When submitting the application, you'll be asked to provide the following information:

  • Photocopy of identification
  • State criminal background check
  • Nationwide criminal background check
  • HIPAA certification
  • Food handler safety certification – if applicable

Training Requirements

Under state law, all cannabis employees must undergo a HIPAA training curriculum that covers, at a minimum, the following topics:

  • Professional conduct and ethics
  • The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act and department of health rules
  • Informational developments in the field of medical use of cannabis
  • Employee safety and security training addressing, at a minimum, the proper use of the security measures and controls that have been adopted, and specific procedural instructions on how to respond to an emergency, including a robbery or violent accident
  • Robbery awareness and conflict de-escalation training for all employees
  • General food safety training

Any employee involved in the handling, transportation, manufacture, testing, or packaging of cannabis-derived products must complete general food handler safety training.

How to Get a Marijuana Job in New Mexico

New Mexico's medical cannabis market is rapidly expanding. With an eye on legalization, you can expect cannabis employment opportunities to significantly grow over the coming years. If you want to get hired in the state’s cannabis industry, check out our marijuana career tips:

  1. Hit the books: Study up on the cannabis plant and its effects. Stay up-to-date with your state's latest regulations and rules. New laws, research, and industry developments are popping up all the time. It's up to you to be informed about the industry as a whole.
  2. Get cannabis education and training: Instead of learning on your own, enroll in a renowned cannabis college. Cannabis training programs offer convenience, flexibility, and affordability for students of all skill levels. Completing the certification not only gives you the knowledge you need to excel in the industry, but adds a valuable skill to your resume and cover letter.
  3. Hone your skills: Develop the skills necessary to excel in your chosen job. If necessary, gain work experience in a non-cannabis-related field. Most employers are looking for applicants with at least one year of experience in a related field.
  4. Connect with the industry: Reach out to employees in the industry or local business leaders to see if their business is hiring. Attend local industry events and join online social groups to develop a relationship with industry insiders. Through your connections, you can be the first to know when a job opens up.
  5. Send in your applications: Create a clear and concise cannabis resume and marijuana cover letter to send along with your job applications. Check online cannabis job boards every day to see if a new job opens up. If at first you don't succeed, don't give up. New marijuana jobs are opening up at a rapid pace.

New Mexico Cannabis Career Training

Are you ready to start working in New Mexico's cannabis industry? Do you have the commitment and compassion to help medical and recreational users find the relief they need?

If you want to grow your skills and develop a strong foundation of knowledge, enroll in Cannabis Training University’s online cannabis career training. While not a requirement, industry certification gives you a leg up over the competition.

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

marijuana extraction course - Johanna Rose
Makes $24.50 @ THC +

CTU’s complete curriculum goes through all important areas of the industry from plant cultivation to processing to retail sales and more. Learn the latest laws, research, and other industry developments when you enroll at CTU.

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.

Enroll Now