Top Marijuana Job Titles:
Top Marijuana Jobs
Budtender (Dispensary Agents)
Like your favorite local bartender, but better. Budtenders are the expert salesmen, and more importantly cannabis product specialists, that you�ll find in local dispensaries that come with vast knowledge on different cannabis products they sell in their dispensary.
Not only are these Budtenders a great resource for those who are new to cannabis and aren�t sure where to start, but they can also refer new cannabis products as well as specific products with specific terpenes and cannabinoids profiles to assist certain ailments. Your Budtenders are the face of the dispensary and of the cannabis industry, so profressionalism is paramount.
Your best Budtenders are usually promoted relatively quickly to a Team Lead or Asst. Manager, and when a new store opens, they are often then promoted to be a manager of the new store or take over the current store if the current manager leaves.
Packaging
Do you have experience working in a factory or assembly line? Processing centers hire several people to work their packaging line to package their complete products such as vape cartridges, edibles, topicals, etc.
This position is also the first step into a career in cannabis extraction. The best employees are often promoted to Asst. Extractors to learn from the Lead Extractor and start getting experience with the processing part of the cannabis industry.
Trimmers / Cultivation Site Workers
You can often obtain a trimmer job with no previous experience, and cultivation site workers are generally those who have some type of nursery experience or horticulture/agriculture education. Many times, trimmers will be promoted to Cultivation Site Workers.
Cultivation Site workers may be promoted to Asst. Growers after a period of time and start training under the Director of Cultivation. After a few years working under a Master Grower they may be ready to go out and find their own Director of Cultivation job!
Marijuana Real Estate
Real estate has always been a smart career move, particularly when it pertains to business real estate. A booming cannabis market means a growing necessity for agriculture space.
However, each state has its own laws on cannabis land usage. Which is why having a blend of legal, agricultural, and real estate knowledge is ideal for this position.
Cannabis Marketing
When the ban on alcohol was lifted it created a whole new genre of marketing, which resulted in the alcoholic-beverage industry spending over $400 million on advertising in just one quarter.
With such promising forecasts for the cannabis industry, it�s easy to see how working within this niche marketing field could bring in big money. If you have a skillset that can be applied to project management, copywriting, or even graphic design, a cannabis marketing agency may be the ideal choice for you.
Offering marketing consultations on subjects like logos, packaging, and branding can also be a valuable service, considering the number of new cannabis businesses hitting the market. Additionally, many new cultivation centers/dispensaries hire their own marketing team to get their product/brand name out there.
Edible Maker
With recreational and medicinal marijuana available in multiple different forms, including baked goods, candy, and tea, a variety of jobs have emerged. Edible chefs, for example, are directly responsible for creating recipes and producing goods. There are a variety of other positions in the edibles industry, too, from working on an assembly line to labeling and packaging.
A job working with marijuana edibles will require experience with food handling and production. In many cases, a culinary-related degree is preferred.
Vaporizer Retailer
Now that e-cigarettes and vaporizers are becoming increasingly popular, many stores are popping up that are solely dedicated to selling smokeless devices. Landing a job in one of these stores will require some familiarity with the industry, in addition to top-notch sales and customer service skills.
Delivery Person
Many dispensaries offer delivery services to patients who are prescribed medicinal marijuana but can't necessarily make it out of their house to pick up the prescription. In addition, truck drivers are hired to transport products to their various locations.
A delivery job will require a valid driver�s license, a clean driving record, and no criminal record. Some companies will require you to have your own car and GPS device, and for legal reasons, in some states you may be required to possess your own doctor-authorized medical marijuana permit to work for the company.
In cases where you'll be interfacing with customers, you'll also need solid communication skills.
Store Manager
As more dispensaries pop up, store managers are needed to successfully run each store. Having previous experience working in a dispensary is a huge asset � and sometimes, a requirement � to land a job as a manager. At the very least, you'll need to have retail skills and be able to demonstrate your ability to successfully manage employees, retail operations, and sales.
Cashier
Cashiers or front-end sales associates are needed in dispensaries and stores to greet customers, answer their questions, and ring up sales. Though this is generally an entry-level position, you'll need to have great customer service skills and a familiarity with the products you'll be selling.
Security Guard
Security guards are needed in dispensaries, manufacturing areas, and other places medical marijuana is produced and distributed. In many cases you'll need to be certified as a guard and licensed to carry a firearm if the job requires an armed guard.
Production Manager
Production managers oversee and analyze the entire "seed to sale" cycle of the product. In this job, workers must account for operations, process, and staff management, plus manage budgets and timelines.
Website Manager
Website, social media, and email managers are needed to run the digital presence of dispensaries and marijuana companies, as well as the agencies that run their marketing and PR efforts. In addition, there are many marijuana-related websites and apps popping up that need staffing.
A background in communications, digital media, or web and graphic design is necessary to land a job in one of these fields. Employers may give preference to those with experience in the field, as advertising a product that�s still illegal at the federal level comes with a host of challenges.
Harvester
Harvesting marijuana involves in a number of tasks, including growing, trimming, and packaging. These entry-level jobs tend to be quite labor-intensive and physically demanding, but prior experience is not usually required (although it may be preferred).
Cannabis Tourism
Whether it�s simply to enjoy some quality cannabis or to find medicinal treatment not offered in their home state, a number of people are traveling the country to purchase legal cannabis in states that allow it.
As a result, cannabis tours, travel packages, and even Airbnb�s are on the rise. If you have a background in tourism or hospitality and a passion to educate the public on cannabis, you�ll find the cannabis tourism industry is a solid fit.
Cultivation Director
A cultivation director is responsible for ensuring the production of premium cannabis that�s compliant with state and federal laws. They quarterback the marijuana growing operation, setting the standard operating procedures, creating the harvesting schedules, planning pest control, and managing the team. A cultivation director�s primary goal is to lead their squad to produce potent, healthy marijuana, so we can all get on cloud nine without any turbulence. Experience in a commercial greenhouse environment and multi-tasking skills are a big plus for this position.
Master Grower
The key to a successful cannabis industry is healthy marijuana plants. A master grower manages the growth operations, including planting, crop nutrition, and pest control, ensuring that cannabis is safe. Additionally, the master grower will communicate with law enforcement and compliance inspectors to ensure everything is running smoothly. If you have a background in horticulture or botany, this role makes sense if you�re looking to go green.
Lab Director
A lab director runs the post-harvest process, which includes performing a chemical analysis to determine the harvest time. They juggle a range of responsibilities, including managing lab technicians and other team members, making sure their facility is legally compliant, as well as running quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures. Lab directors operate and maintain extraction machines, standard lab equipment, and vacuum ovens. Combining proven management skills and expertise in extraction techniques, this role is one of the most vital cannabis jobs out there.
Laboratory Manager
Primary Duties: A laboratory manager, also known as a "lab director", is responsible for a wide range of duties, including managing employees, keeping the cannabis facility in compliance with state regulations and conducting testing for quality control purposes. They oversee lab technicians, operate and maintain lab equipment and fulfill other basic management responsibilities, such as developing operating procedures, tracking inventory and setting production schedules.
Quality Manager
The position of quality manager in cannabis is all about overseeing product testing, making sure the facility is following excellent production practices. A quality manager is responsible for reviewing and approving cannabis testing and processing methods, as well as investigating any complaints concerning the quality of the marijuana. If quality is compromised, the quality manager must take immediate action to identify and correct the error within the process. And they should also develop preventative measures to ensure the cannabis is safe for use.
Concentrates Processor
If you�re looking to become a concentrates processor, you�ll need to possess skills in chemistry and incredible attention to detail to create safe concentrates, which include hash oils and dabs. Concentrates can have immense effects, making them highly beneficial to medical cannabis patients, yet they�re also used for recreational purposes. They�re getting more popular every day, so more and more concentrates processor roles will likely pop up.
VP of Manufacturing
As the VP of a cannabis manufacturing center, you�ll be responsible for making sure projects follow a strict timeline. You will also quarterback the product development of goods ordered. Additionally, it will be your job to ensure your team follows health and safety regulations every hour of the day. Depending on what company you land in, you may also be assisting with branding and packaging design.
Facility Manager
Those who have a solid background in project or business management will feel comfortable in the role of a cannabis facility manager. The person in the hot seat for this job pledges to oversee the product and inventory team, making sure they�re on-point and adhere to the timeline. This ensures wholesale clients and dispensary customers get products right on time. If you enjoy handling budgets, operations, and scheduling, pursuing a facility manager position in the cannabis industry could be ideal.
Packagers
There are no surprises here; a packager is responsible for packaging cannabis or cannabis-infused products neatly into containers, pre-rolled joints, bags, and more. Typically, this is an hourly position, and�like the trimming role�is a solid route into the cannabis industry. Learn about other roles within manufacturing and work your way up from the packager position when the time is right.
Edibles Chef
Are you a culinary artist? Well, if you enjoy baking (and getting baked), the position of edibles chef could be your dream job. This role requires a master of the kitchen to create tasty food items with marijuana extracts. You�ll need to learn how to infuse cannabis into a variety of items, including candy, baked treats, tea, and soda. Attention to detail is paramount, as each type of food or beverage product will require a precise dose.
VP of Retail
Any strategy for short or long-term goals for retail organization falls on the VP. This includes budgeting, annual sales plans, compliance, and expansion. The VP of retail is also responsible for managing profit and loss, as well as inventory. Those with a data-oriented and analytical mind could fill this role nicely. Experience in sales and management will give you a boost when being considered as a VP of cannabis retail.
General Manager
In the role of general manager, you�ll be supervising all the activities of a dispensary, in addition to managing the budtenders and other staff. As a general manager for a cannabis dispensary, it�s your obligation to analyze the business and create effective action plans that bring forth results. Leadership skills are pivotal in this position, as you�ll also need to coach and develop the associates at your dispensary, so you�ll have a high-performance team that can deliver.
Courier and Delivery
Many dispensaries offer the convenience of delivery services, so there�s plenty of opportunities for couriers in the cannabis space. The medical marijuana community made the position popular. However, deliveries for recreational cannabis are becoming more common, leading to more cannabis courier jobs. Whether you�re riding a bicycle or driving a car to deliver quality cannabis, you should be punctual and personable. You�ll also have the opportunity to earn tips in this solid part-time or temp position.
Master Extractor
When it comes to high-paying medical marijuana careers, it's hard to beat this one. Master extractors usually get paid so well because they have a very rare combination of expertise. Their job involves overseeing the production of safe and effective oils and concentrates from harvested marijuana plants. They accurately extract precise amounts of THC and/or CBD (the main active components of cannabis). They also manage their laboratory facilities and adhere to strict safety standards and government regulations. So in order to get into this career, you generally need a PhD in biochemistry as well as some engineering expertise.
Extraction Technician
Marijuana extraction techs generally work under the supervision of a master extractor. They are the ones who operate the sophisticated equipment that produces high-quality oils and concentrates (like shatter) from marijuana plants. They are also frequently tasked with controlling laboratory inventory and ensuring that work areas stay safe and clean. Employers typically prefer candidates who have some kind of science education.
IT Manager
A lot of marijuana companies make use of advanced information technologies in order to run their operations as efficiently as possible. From sales-tracking software to sophisticated systems for growing facilities, technology is often what helps companies remain compliant with government laws and regulations. IT managers oversee the procurement, implementation, and maintenance of that technology.
Marketing Director
Do you want to help develop, launch, or expand an exciting cannabis brand? Every marijuana company needs effective marketing strategies in order to have both short- and long-term success. Market research, advertising, customer engagement, and public relations are all vital areas that require talented professionals.
Human Resources Manager
Staffing is a major aspect of running any kind of business. But for cannabis companies, finding and retaining great employees is an especially important endeavor. After all, in this young industry, many workers begin at one company and move quickly to a different company in order to take advantage of better opportunities or try different roles. Pay, benefits, and workplace culture are all elements that need to be smartly overseen by specialists in human resources.
Production Manager
From seed to sale, the whole cycle of a marijuana product's creation and distribution needs to be properly managed. That's why people with a project management or business management background are often sought by marijuana companies. They need professionals who can help plan and oversee budgets, operations, and timelines.
Software Developer
Some cannabis-related companies create their own custom software to deal with particular areas of their operations. In fact, a lot of tech start-ups in this industry are completely based on the unique apps or system software that they've developed themselves in order to solve industry problems or improve upon existing ways of doing things.
Lawyer
It goes without saying that the cannabis industry operates in a tricky legal area. Between the U.S. federal prohibition of marijuana, constantly changing state laws, and complex regulations, it's essential for cannabis companies to operate on solid legal advice. Marijuana advocacy organizations also need help with drafting proposed legislation and challenging state and federal prohibitions.
Accountant
Marijuana ventures attract increased scrutiny from regulators, so keeping accurate financial records is vital. Plus, companies in this industry have a slew of unique challenges to deal with when it comes to managing their cash, obtaining credit, handling taxes, and processing payments. So accounting expertise is a must.
Web Developer
As with any other kind of business today, having a dynamic website is crucial for most cannabis companies. So talented web developers are in pretty high demand within this burgeoning industry.
Digital Media Manager
This type of public relations specialist uses email, custom apps, social media, or other web-based platforms to interact with potential and existing customers. It's a fun role that usually exists as part of a marijuana company's marketing strategy. Internet marketing, communications, and digital media design are all good educational paths for this career.
Electrician
Indoor marijuana grow operations require special lighting and electrical needs. That's why qualified electricians are often in demand where cannabis producers are constructing new grow houses or adding to the ones they already have.
Paralegal
Starting and operating a legitimate cannabis company requires overcoming a lot of legal hurdles and filing a lot of complex paperwork. So in addition to lawyers, paralegal professionals help ease that burden.
Writer
Every company website needs engaging copy. And many cannabis producers, dispensaries, and edibles manufacturers like to promote their brands through creatively written content on their own blogs. There are also many marijuana-themed magazines and online publications that you can pitch story ideas to.
Sales Representative
Marijuana growers and edibles manufacturers need to forge profitable relationships with stores and dispensaries that will carry their products. So a lot of them hire business-to-business sales reps to make deals with licensed buyers that will pay a fair price for their goods and follow cannabis regulations just as strictly as they do.
Graphic Designer
The visual promotion of marijuana brands is often vital to their success. That's why the industry is starting to employ a lot of graphic designers who know how to create attractive, distinctive, and effective logos, product labels, website interfaces, and other essential marketing and advertising materials.
HVAC Technician
Like electricians, tradespeople who specialize in heating, cooling, and ventilation are frequently in demand by marijuana companies that are constructing or expanding their indoor grow operations.
Real Estate Agent
Marijuana businesses often have very particular requirements when it comes to the buildings and facilities they can operate in. For instance, indoor grow operations require a lot of physical space that can handle special ventilation and lighting systems that you wouldn't necessarily find in other types of industrial operations. But it can be a real challenge to find pre-existing buildings that can accommodate those needs. That's why some real estate agents now specialize in providing service to cannabis entrepreneurs.
Executive or Administrative Assistant
Every business has administrative tasks that need to be handled in a timely and efficient manner. Cannabis businesses are no different. From simple bookkeeping to general office management, there's never a shortage of administrative work to be done.
Solar panel specialists
There's a growing movement to make the cannabis industry as green as possible. Several solar panel companies across the country are helping growers harness the sun's abundant rays to power their lighting rigs without sucking electricity from fossil fuel sources. These solar companies employ sales reps, consultants and installers, too.