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Michigan’s highly competitive retail market means dispensary owners are looking for top talent to help customers.
Whether you’re a first-time pot worker or you’re already working in the industry and want to work in a dispensary, our guide helps you get the job you want.
Michigan’s Pot Industry
Michigan has one of the fasting-growing adult-use markets in the country. Michigan has almost 1,000 dispensaries spread across the state. In 2023 the cannabis industry brought in $3 billion in sales, that is a 23% increase from 2022. December of 2023 had its highest monthly sales to date.
While the state has many job openings in a variety of sectors including cultivation and manufacturing, retail is one of the most highly sought after jobs in the industry.
As more communities choose to opt into commercial pot, more pot shop jobs will pop up. It’s a great time to get on the ground floor of a growing adult-use market.
Dispensary Jobs in Michigan
To work in Michigan’s cannabis industry, you need to be 21 years of age or older. You must undergo a criminal background check. Most pot shops will require you to have a high school diploma or GED. Relevant work experience is preferred.
Budtender
As a budtender, you’re in charge of helping customers (adult-use or medical) find products that can meet their unique needs. You’ll have to stay on top of product and industry trends. You will need to know how to use the point of sale (POS) system. You’ll need to check IDs, manage inventory, weigh and label products, and keep the facility clean.
Pay: $14-$17/hour
Administrative Assistant
A dispensary’s administrative assistant is the first person you see when you walk through the door. They warmly greet you with a smile and notify security and budtender personnel when someone arrives. They check their information to ensure they’re compliant. They're also in charge of answering the phones.
Pay: $15-$18/hour
Security Guard
Security officers monitor all areas of the store including the entrance, parking lot, and security footage. Apart from monitoring security threats, you’ll be greeting guests and checking them into the shop. If necessary, you’ll manage crowd and traffic control to streamline the shopping process for personnel and customers.
Pay: $16-$20/hour
Inventory Manager
Inventory managers are responsible for managing all inventory related activities at the shop. They keep track of accurate inventory counts. You must ensure the constant availability of inventory to the sales floor. Inventory specialists require a strong attention to detail and exhaustive record-keeping practices.
Pay: $23/hour
Dispensary Manager
Entry-level dispensary employees can work their way up to lead, supervisor, and manager roles. An assistant manager can earn between $23 and $26 per hour. A dispensary manager runs the entire retail operation. That includes hiring and training staff, as well as driving up sales. Managers must be leaders who can motivate and direct all staff.
Pay: $60-$70k/year
How to Work in a Dispensary in Michigan
1. Get Work Experience
Are you passionate and knowledgeable about weed? Are you missing relevant work experience in retail and customer service?
Sometimes, the best way to get your foot in the door is to work in a similar retail job in a non-weed field. You can also work in a different area of the industry and then make a lateral move to a weed shop.
2. Rewrite Your Resume
Once you have the right work experience and weed education, you can start writing a resume specifically for the job you’re applying for. Think of the skills retailers are looking for. Include transferable skills in a way that shows how important you were to the company.
3. Get Educated
If your resume is missing a bit of substance, you can consider enrolling in a cannabis education program or course. While courses vary in quality and price, CTU offers a wide range of course pillars that cover the entire industry. Weed education is necessary, but it could pay off to stand out from applicants without this training.
“
There are over 300,000 jobs in the cannabis industry. CTU trained me for one of them!
- Johanna Rose
Makes $24.50 @ THC +
4. Attend Events
Industry events are where you can go to meet business owners or staff that know of open jobs. Don’t hesitate to let them know you’re looking for work in a weed store. Ask questions about when they expect to be hiring and other qualifications needed to work in a pot shop. As always, come looking presentable and competent.
5. Apply
Search in online job boards or on local trade publications for jobs. Since dispensary workers have a high turnover rate, it’s better to check daily for new openings. Make sure to include your resume and cover letter with your application. Feel free to follow up with the hiring manager after a week or so if you don’t hear back.
Michigan Dispensary Training
CTU provides aspiring pot workers with the training they need. Our cannabis certification courses gives job applicants in-depth training. Learn the essentials of pot cultivation, weed cooking, cannabis medicine, and, of course, dispensary training. Completion of our program looks great on a resume and can make all the difference.
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.