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Rhode Island cannabis jobs and marijuana careers are rising. Despite its small medical weed market with three active shops, the state continues to post considerable year-over-year growth. If you are a resident who wants to join the developing industry, keep reading to find out how cannabis education can help.

Industry Snapshot: Rhode Island

As the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island is expected to have a smaller market than others. Apart from its population and physical size as limiting factors, lawmakers have taken a conservative approach to weed. In 2006, the state approved medical pot through legislative action. Over the years, lawmakers have failed to pass adult-use laws.

The state has experienced some growing pains due to payment processing issues and significant fee increases for operators. Despite these setbacks, the state has increased its sales year-over-year. Certain state rules have contributed to its growth. It started reciprocity sales to qualifying out-of-state patients in 2018. Qualifying residents can grow up to 12 plants and possess 12 seedlings.

State regulators are about to license six new compassion centers, tripling the state's number of shops. Currently, the state ranks high in the nation in terms of stores per patient, with only about 18,000 patients (as of July 2020). However, the new stores won’t be able to grow their own weed, unlike the three existing ones.

New pot shops are not expected to open until late 2021. If you’re an entrepreneur or aspiring cannabis worker, now’s the time to get in on the action. Cannabis education can catch you up on your state’s latest developments. It can bring you up to speed on state laws, the science behind weed, and so much more about the industry.

Requirements to Work in the Industry

Interested in working in the state's developing industry? If you want to be a weed worker, you must be at least 21 years of age to apply. Applicants must pass a state-mandated background check. Most companies require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent education.

Entry-level pot jobs range from budtenders to trimmers to ancillary jobs in a variety of sectors. Most companies look for applicants with at least one year of relevant work experience. Two years is preferred. As a weed worker, you must have a thorough understanding of the state laws governing medical pot.

Don’t have the work or education experience necessary to make the cut? Enroll in a weed training program. Completing an education program gives you the tools needed to succeed in this industry. Adding weed education to your resume isn’t required, but shows your passion and commitment to the patients.

For more information about online cannabis training in Rhode Island, checkout Cannabis Training University's budtender school.

Compassion Center Jobs

While the state only has three compassion centers at the moment, that may soon change. Pot shop jobs are highly competitive at the moment. Here are the jobs compassion centers in the state are looking to fill.

Budtender

Budtenders, also known as member liaisons, provide exceptional customer service. As a budtender, you’ll provide one-on-one service to patients. It’s up to you to educate and advise patients in person or by phone. You’re in charge of keeping accurate records, assisting with inventory, and maintaining a clean environment for patients.

Reception

As a front desk office assistant, you’re responsible for checking in patients. It’s your job to make them feel welcome when they walk in. Front desk work involves many clerical duties including data entry, answering phone calls and emails, and sorting documents. Office assistants can work their way up to budtending and management roles.

Security

Security officers are in charge of protecting the inventory and personnel within a facility (including cultivation centers). The guards monitor for suspicious activity by walking the premises and checking security footage. Overall, a security guard ensures the patient has a safe shopping environment without worrying about anything but finding the right product.

Cultivation Jobs

The state has about 55 licensed medical pot cultivators. While the growing capacity is less than the demand (at the moment), that may soon change. Here are just some of the entry-level jobs in pot farming.

Trimmer

Weed trimmers help growers harvest buds after the growing season. Trimmers must quickly, delicately, and accurately manicure the buds and remove the leaves. Hand-trimming requires repetitive motions and standing/sitting for long periods of time. Trimmers can work their way up in the farming space to become an assistant grower or the master grower one day.

Grower

Assistant growers help head growers throughout the plant’s life cycle. From planting to harvesting, growers must ensure each plant is fed, watered, and trimmed appropriately. Growers must know the latest growing techniques to get big yields with tons of trichomes. Assistants are responsible for maintaining the facility clean.

Processing Jobs

Cannabis processing jobs are essential to converting the raw flower into a wide variety of products. Processors transform the raw material into weed extracts, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Here are a few of the most in-demand processing jobs.

Packager

Cannabis packagers are responsible for operating packaging equipment. They weigh, package, and label products while maintaining accurate records. They must maintain a clean and organized work environment. While no experience with weed is required, knowing your pot can give you a leg up in the application process.

Extraction Technician

Extraction technician jobs aren’t exactly entry-level, but they are within reach for many applicants. Technicians must operate extraction equipment and work with flammable solvents. Previous laboratory experience and a science degree are preferred. Operators must work with raw material and convert it into oils and other extracts for sale.

Ancillary Jobs

If you’re not too keen on working with pot directly, why not work for an ancillary weed company. Ancillary companies provide supplemental services ranging from legal help to marketing efforts. Pot shops and growers in the state rely on these companies to support key business activities.

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 +

Rhode Island Cannabis Job Training

No matter what previous work experience you have, there’s bound to be a pot job for you. Whether that’s in your home state of Rhode Island or elsewhere, weed jobs are on the rise. For the best chance of getting hired, it’s important to have a clear grasp of important weed topics. Trust CTU’s online cannabis training to get you there.

Need help to build your resume and cover letter? Check out our resume and cover letter job guides for applicants.

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.

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