Pennsylvania Marijuana Jobs

The cannabis job market in Pennsylvania is growing. The Keystone State is the fifth most populated state in the country. Its medical market has about 712,421 registered patients at the end of 2023.

As a quiet success story, the state's weed jobs are in high demand. Here's how you can get your career started in the industry.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Cannabis Laws

The state launched its medical program in February 2018. Since then, the market has grown fast. In fact, the industry doubled in size in 2019 to reach $406 million. In the same year, the state supported 8,756 full-time pot jobs.

While this is slow growth compared to other states, they’re impressive numbers. In 2023, Pennsylvania medical cannabis sales topped $1.2 billion.

Polling suggests that 62% of residents support legal weed. Bipartisan support gave rise to the medical program. The Republican-controlled Senate has stalled legalization efforts.

Pennsylvania Dispensary Jobs

As of late 2023, there were 161 active cannabis medical dispensaries.

The state's retail market is looking for knowledgeable and experienced people to hire. Here are just a few of the pot jobs available in your state.

Dispensary Management

A dispensary manager is responsible for a wide range of tasks to ensure the efficient and compliant operation of a cannabis dispensary.

They are responsible for the day to day operations such as inventory management, managing the staff, addressing any customer complaints and making sure the business runs smoothly.

Managers also are responsible for hiring, and training staff.

They must make sure the dispensary is ran according to state and local laws.

It is their job to make sure sales goals are getting met.

Budtender

Patient care specialists and wellness advisors are on the retail front lines. These budtenders provide guidance and education to patients along with great customer service.

The budtender is responsible for helping the customer choose the right product for them, depending on their tolerance, needs, taste, and condition.

Additionally, you must verify the documentation to ensure the patient remains compliant with regulations.

Security Officer

Proper security is a requirement for a cannabis business. As a security guard, you must monitor the premises. You'll also check the security footage. You'll need to identify threats and safety hazards.

Security officers must pass a criminal background check and have a clean record. Most cannabis companies prefer applicants with previous security experience.

Pennsylvania Cultivation Jobs

As of 2023, Pennsylvania has issued 25 licenses for cannabis growers/processors. This number reflects the state's efforts to regulate and expand its medical marijuana program, which has seen significant growth and interest since its inception​.

Residents must rely on growers for their weed. A range of entry-level and advanced positions are available in this field.

Head Cannabis Grower

A Master Cannabis Grower in Pennsylvania plays a crucial role in the cultivation and production of medical cannabis.

The head grower acts as the cultivation manager, overseeing the entire grow operation.

They must develop and implement cultivation plans, including planting schedules, strain selection, and nutrient management.

They also ensure all cultivation practices comply with Pennsylvania state regulations, including record-keeping and reporting requirements.

Master growers are responsible for leading and training cultivation staff, providing guidance on best practices and ensuring team adherence to protocols.

Bud Trimmer

Weed trimmers are responsible for trimming and processing cured flower. As a trimmer, you'll need to prune, weigh, and organize the flower buds. You may need to process pre-rolls for retail sale.

Trimmers must harvest plants and hang them to cure and dry. You'll have to make sure you’re compliant with seed-to-sale tracking software.

Growing Assistant

Grow technicians assist master growers in the production of medical weed.

Growers must perform all duties throughout the plant’s life cycle. Tasks include cloning, transplanting, feeding, waste disposal, harvesting, and more.

They need to stay on top of pest management, nutrient deficiency and make sure to properly water all plants to ensure the healthiest plant growth.

Cannabis Processing Jobs

Processing jobs transform flower buds into a variety of products. Product developers and edibles chefs come up with new products. Quality assurance managers check for product quality. Packaging associates get the product shelf-ready. Entry-level jobs can be a good start to a career in production.

Packaging associates are in charge of getting weed products ready for sale. The job requires weighing, measuring, labeling, and packaging all products. You’ll need to operate machinery to help you sort and package. You’ll need to visually inspect products to ensure they meet brand and state standards.

Cannabis Extraction Jobs                                                                                          

The state allows patients to purchase a number of infused products. These products include pills, extracts, tinctures, topicals, edibles, and patches. All of these products start off with a cannabis oil base. Extraction jobs handle the processing of raw flower. They convert it to a range of oils for infusion.

Extraction technicians work with closed-loop extraction equipment in a lab. Chemical solvents strip the flower from its therapeutic resin. As a technician, you’ll need to know how to safely work the machinery. As you refine the oil, you’ll create different extract forms for consumption.

Ancillary Jobs

Applicants may overlook ancillary jobs in the industry. You can find jobs in an accounting firm working the numbers.

You can work in a marketing agency to advertise the business. Jobs in business development help the company scale.

Weed companies outsource certain duties to ancillary businesses. With the industry’s unique needs, these jobs are set to grow fast.

Cities with Pot Jobs

The state's employment is mainly in large cities with some exceptions. You can find a large number of marijuana growing and processing jobs in Chambersburg. New Castle and Shamokin Dam also have tons of these jobs. Philadelphia has many dispensary, sales, and marketing jobs. Other popular job hubs include Danville, Brookville, Harrisburg, and Scranton.

Pennsylvania Cannabis College

Cannabis education is a critical component of your resume and skills. CTU’s online weed college prepares you for work in any job sector. Whether you want to become a chef or a master grower, we’ve got you covered. Sign up for our online cannabis courses to learn everything about the plant and more.

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.