By Luke Sholl


There's never been a better time to translate your passion for cannabis into a job that you love, instead of one that merely pays the bills. The legal cannabis industry is growing at a rapid pace, and that pace is only expected to accelerate as sensible legal reform continues to spread. By 2027, legal marijuana sales are expected to reach $57 billion dollars. At that time, North American customers are forecast to be the largest customer base, with the rest of the world quickly catching up.

Businesses of all sizes are ramping up so that they can claim their share of the market, but they can't do that without qualified workers. The total number of cannabis-related jobs grew by 690% between January 1, 2017 and August 1, 2018, with pay increasing by 16.1%. By 2021, forecasters expect more than 400,000 people to be employed within the legal cannabis industry.

Experience and knowledge can help you get a job in the cannabis industry, but it's no longer a requirement. The demand for motivated employees is so high that cannabis companies have no choice but to provide on-the-job training to their new candidates if they have any hope of filling all their open positions. Plus, they also need people who don't work directly with marijuana plants. Business skills like accounting, customer service, marketing, and programming are also high on the recruitment list.

HOW TO BREAK INTO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

1. TRADITIONAL JOB SEARCHES STILL WORK

Cannabis jobs don't involve some big secret club designed to keep you out. Traditional job search methods will still work. If you live in an area where either medical or recreational cannabis is legal, scan the classifieds, online job boards, and keep an eye out for help wanted signs. You might even get a job by walking into a business that interests you and asking for an application.

Job boards will have a lot of opportunities too. There are several sites that are cannabis-specific, but employers who are looking to hire a lot of people may also list on general recruitment sites. Recruiters, as well as staffing agencies, are also on the hunt for new talent. If you're not sure exactly what type of job you'd like, working as a temp can help you narrow down the positions you'd enjoy most.

Search Cannabis Job

2. LEARN MORE ABOUT CANNABIS

While you're looking for your dream job, take the time to learn as much as you can about cannabis, the local laws, and the companies you'd most like to work for. Even if you're not an expert or even a consumer, this will show your prospective employer that you're motivated and making a real investment in this career choice.

Plus, this is one of the most regulated industries in the world. If you apply for any job that requires you to make decisions that could put a business at risk, the interviewer will be more likely to hire you if they feel you know what's acceptable and what's not in the eyes of the law. This applies to positions at all levels, from budtenders to advertising executives.

3. NETWORK TO MAKE CONNECTIONS

Like any industry, getting a job with a cannabis company can come down to who you know, instead of what you know. Be friendly but professional whether you're visiting a local dispensary, a cannabis festival, or a regional trade show. Don't be pushy, but let it be known that you're very interested in breaking into the field. Not only will you learn where job postings are most likely to show up first, either online or off, but a new contact may give you a call the next time they either have or hear about an opening. Besides, it never hurts to know who the industry insiders are in any profession.

If it's not possible for you to network in person, follow the companies you'd most like to work for on social media. They'll sometimes list open positions and other functions online.

4. BE FLEXIBLE!

The cannabis industry is an emerging sector of our economy, and the companies involved are changing the way they operate even faster than they're growing. They'll need people who can readily adapt to evolving job roles and roll with the punches. This can give candidates who have worked for startups in the past an advantage over those with a corporate background. However, even corporations shake up their employees on a regular basis these days. Be prepared to give examples of how you've had to be flexible in a past job role during your interview.

5. SATISFY ANY LEGAL OR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

If you are trying to get hired in an area where you must be registered or certified to be legally employed, take care of this before you apply for a job. For example, anyone who works with marijuana in Nevada must have a state-issued agent card. Applicants go through a thorough background check during the approval process. The card also specifies what type of work the holder can do. For example, trimmers must work on the cultivation side of the industry while budtenders can only work in dispensaries.

Training Legal Cannabis Job

JOBS IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY—AND HOW MUCH THEY PAY

1. TRIMMERS: $12–$18 PER HOUR

This is probably the lowest paid job you can find in the cannabis industry, but it's also the easiest one to get. However, it's not easy to do. Trimming, in case you've never done it, is hard work. Ask any grower, and 9 out of 10 will tell you it's their least favorite thing to do. This job does not require any experience. It can be seasonal in areas with big outdoor grows, and you may be expected to harvest and package in addition to trimming.

Due to the nature of the job, trimmers work on-site. The best places to find a trimming job are in legal states like California, Colorado, and Washington State, but Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland also employ trimmers.

2. DELIVERY DRIVERS: $14–$16 PER HOUR + TIPS IF ALLOWED

In areas where it’s legal, customers can order dried buds, edibles, and concentrates online and have them delivered like pizza. The delivery driver makes that possible. This position requires a good driving record and a dependable vehicle if one isn't supplied for you. In urban areas, the delivery person may ride a bike like a courier. This is an entry-level position. Experience with cannabis is a plus, but not a strict requirement. The ability to use a GPS effectively, follow directions, and be reliable are much more important.

By definition, a delivery driver must work close to the product and customers, but this worker will be out and about for most of the day. California and Washington DC are great places to look for delivery jobs. Both areas have thriving cannabis delivery services.

3. BUDTENDERS: $32,000–$42,000 PER YEAR

Budtenders are more than counter and cashier staff. They listen to the customer's needs and help them choose the right herb. If needed, they also educate consumers about why one type of cannabis is “better” than another in specific cases. Budtenders often help their customers find new ways to use cannabis and recommend other products. They are some of the most knowledgeable workers in the cannabis industry, and the most experienced can often pick and choose where they will work.

This is another on-site job. Budtenders work in dispensaries and are the face of the industry. It's a popular job choice, especially in places like California, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, and other states where cannabis is frequently used for medical reasons. As legalization spreads, more budtender jobs will open up.

4. WEBSITE MANAGERS AND CONTENT WRITERS: $30,000–$70,000 PER YEAR

Cannabis businesses of all types need a healthy online presence to thrive. It reassures the public that the business is legitimate and helps build the brand. Website managers, social media managers, and email managers create an above-board image while content writers and editors educate customers about the business itself and cannabis in general. A background in digital marketing, graphic design, website design, and copywriting are required.

This type of job allows you to work remotely while living in any part of the world, even an area where cannabis is totally illegal. Established brands have the biggest budgets for their websites, but there will be less competition for positions with a startup.

Cannabis Website Job

5. EDIBLES MAKER OR CANNA-CHEF: $40,000–$90,000 PER YEAR

Edibles are incredibly popular whether you're talking about infused candy, baked goods, or cannabis-infused drinks. And someone has to make them! Job requirements include a background in food safety and, sometimes, culinary school. Independent chefs and edibles artisans who work for established brands make the most money, while those who work for small, fledgling companies make less.

As long as you can obtain cannabis isolates or extracts, you can make medibles anywhere that it's legal to do so. Your kitchen does not need to be near the grow site or a dispensary. In fact, due to health codes, it probably shouldn't be. Edibles are very popular in states where medical marijuana has been legal for a long time, like California and Colorado, so those are the best places to start your job search. They're slowly catching on in other areas.

6. COMPLIANCE MANAGER: $45,000–$149,000 PER YEAR

If you're not hip enough to get in with an actual cannabis business, get a compliance manager job with the regulatory board. It'll be your responsibility to make sure every business in your district complies with all regulations that are in effect at any given time. You'll get to know plenty of industry insiders and learn quite a bit about cannabis and the legal system.

Requirements include some form of legal background and, in most cases, a college degree. Job opportunities will be found in states or countries that have a robust legal cannabis industry with a high level of government oversight.

7. DIRECTOR OF EXTRACTION: $47,000–$191,000 PER YEAR

If you can make beautifully clear shatter, your skills could equate to a very nice salary as the director of extraction for a big cannabis processor. Your job will be to manage lower-level extract technicians, maintain quality and compliance, and develop better ways to make dabs, budders, waxes, and the like. Working for a smaller company will give you more control over your job with a lower average paycheck, while jobs with larger enterprises may mean more oversight and reporting requirements in exchange for higher compensation.

Extracts have been around for centuries in the form of hash, but Colorado has turned extraction into an artform. Today, skilled craftsman are in as high demand as their products around the globe. Look in areas where cannabis is legal for this type of career option.

8. DISPENSARY MANAGER: $60,000–$150,000 PER YEAR

A dispensary manager is responsible for maintaining stock levels, ensuring buds are fresh, training and scheduling workers, and all other day-to-day activities at the dispensary. They must also make sure the dispensary operates within legal boundaries. Highly qualified store managers from other retail sectors may be able to get a job at a dispensary with only basic knowledge of cannabis, but owners often promote their best budtenders to this position.

Being a dispensary manager is an on-site job that's usually found in legal states where dispensaries are allowed to operate.

Dispensary

9. CANNABIS GROWER: $50,000 TO OVER $1 MILLION PER YEAR

Growing cannabis is no longer delegated to an underground network of outlaws. It's now a legitimate career choice that can be very lucrative. If you grow for a company, you can make a handsome salary, but not nearly as much as if you become an independent grower. The total amount you can net per year also depends on the laws where you operate. Some places limit the amount that a single person can grow and sell, or even who they can sell it to. Some places also control prices.

Growers also work on-site. The best places for growers to work are California, Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, Canada, Spain, and Uruguay. In-depth knowledge of cannabis, expert growing skills, and the ability to troubleshoot common problems are strict requirements.

10. DISPENSARY OWNER: UP TO OR EXCEEDING $1,000,000 PER YEAR

If you have the money to start a dispensary, there's virtually no limit to how much you can make in exchange for dealing with all the licensing and legal hassles that come along with it. At this level, the job is less about cannabis and more about all the management tasks that come with running any medium-to-large business, but it does come with one of the highest potential salaries in the industry. Of course, it also comes with the most risk.

A smart dispensary owner ensures they can visit their facilities on a regular basis, but knows it isn’t necessary to spend every waking hour on-site, especially with a competent and loyal staff. The dispensary itself must be located in a state or country where it's legal to operate.

SUMMARY

In the past decade, the cannabis industry has exploded, and new job opportunities seem endless. This is the time to get in on the ground floor with rapidly evolving companies to become a valued expert in this field, even if you know very little at this time. Develop your skills, be creative with your applications, and it could pay off with a lucrative new job working in a field that you love!

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: