When I started covering cannabis, I never could have predicted how quickly the industry would evolve. By the time I wrote Cannabis Jobs in 2019 (published in 2020), legalization had spread across numerous states, and job opportunities in this field were exploding. Today, even as the industry continues to expand and deal with job fluctuation, the book remains a guide to understanding and exploring the range of career paths within cannabis. So much so that it was used for several semesters as part of Stockton University‘s cannabis education program.
As someone who’s spent over a decade covering the ins and outs of cannabis for outlets like Rolling Stone and High Times, I wrote this book to offer a firsthand view into an industry that’s become a legitimate career field. Whether you’re new to the workforce, switching fields, or looking to expand your skill set, Cannabis Jobs introduces you to the possibilities, from entry-level to highly specialized positions.
In Cannabis Jobs, you’ll find career options that go far beyond budtending or cultivation. Almost any job you’d find in other industries – marketing, IT, human resources, quality assurance, compliance – has a counterpart in cannabis. This book offers a comprehensive look at the roles available, from budtenders to Directors of Extraction, and provides real-world insights into what these jobs entail, including responsibilities, salaries, and growth potential.
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For anyone interested in cultivation, the book delves into some of the challenges that growers face, from market saturation to regulatory pressures. In recent years, many cultivators have pivoted toward hemp production, with states like Colorado and Kentucky leading the way. Cannabis Jobs covers the shifts in cultivation and what they mean for both established professionals and new entrants.
The manufacturing side of cannabis has also been a key area of growth, driven by advancements in extraction methods and product diversity. As demand for products like edibles, topicals, and concentrates increases, so too does the need for skilled extraction technicians, lab directors, and quality assurance managers. Cannabis Jobs explores these roles in detail, showing how technical skills in areas like chemistry and engineering translate well into the cannabis industry.
Dispensaries, meanwhile, offer opportunities that go well beyond traditional retail. In addition to the visible role of budtender, dispensaries need inventory specialists, compliance officers, patient care coordinators, and more. Many dispensaries also promote from within, providing a career ladder for those who start at entry-level positions.
The book also tackles the unique challenges that come with working in cannabis. Compliance and legal expertise, for example, are crucial given the constantly shifting regulations across states and municipalities. I highlight the vital roles that compliance officers and cannabis lawyers play in keeping businesses aligned with local laws – roles that have only become more important as the industry grows.
Marketing in cannabis presents its own set of challenges. Restrictions around advertising mean that traditional channels like Google and social media often aren’t available. In Cannabis Jobs, I cover the creative approaches companies use to reach customers and build brands in this regulatory landscape.
For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, the book dives into the realities of launching a cannabis business, from banking issues to the so-called “green rush.” Cannabis has seen plenty of “firsts” in business, and entrepreneurs often face more obstacles here than in other industries. Yet the potential for innovation is huge, and Cannabis Jobs provides insights from those who’ve blazed their own trail.
Since the industry is relatively new, freelancers have found opportunities here too, particularly in areas like content creation, marketing, and compliance consulting. I discuss the growing demand for freelancers, along with the need to diversify their clients beyond just cannabis to sustain a steady flow of work.
Diversity and inclusion are also a crucial part of the discussion in Cannabis Jobs. While the industry has made strides, it still has work to do in terms of inclusivity. Social equity programs and diversity initiatives are gradually helping to open doors, but there’s more to be done to ensure equal representation, especially in leadership roles.
Written in 2020, Cannabis Jobs remains a resource for anyone exploring this evolving industry. I take great pride in it, since it was my first published book (with 2021’s The Art of Marijuana Etiquette as the follow up. I’ll take greater pride knowing it helps someone find your path, whether looking for a job, starting a business, or just interested in the possibilities of this field.
