By: Alyson Drobnis
If you’re interested in learning more about the cannabis industry, there are many ways to educate yourself and get involved. One, great, way to get your foot in the door is by volunteering.
Volunteering allows you to gain first hand experience, become extremely familiar with the industry and organizations making a difference and, best of all, volunteering allows you to become part of the community making the changes you wish to see.
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We reviewed six organizations across the country who are making a difference in the cannabis industry. Though COVID-19 may prevent some in-person volunteer opportunities, there is still plenty of remote volunteering available.
Check out the organizations below to learn more about each and which might be best for you.
Volunteer opportunities in the cannabis industry
Women Grow
Women Grow is a for-profit entity organized as a catalyst for women to influence and succeed in the cannabis industry.
Created to connect, educate, inspire and empower women as cannabis industry leaders. Through the creation of programs and community events, Women Grow aspires to be the cannabis organization focused on building a community of female business executives.
In addition to joining their weekly newsletter where you will gain advice and learn more about the cannabis business, you can attend events and subscribe to their webinar series.
When you volunteer with Women Grow, you help curate events, run errands, create digital marketing and more.
Whether you’re joining a local chapter, or spreading the word through social media, there is plenty to do to volunteer (remote or not) and join in on the mission of this cannabis industry organization.
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
This 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization is focused on “creating medical, legal and cultural contexts” for people through the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.
Their work develops psychedelics and marijuana into prescription medicines, trains therapists and works to establish a network of treatment centers, support scientific research and educate the public about the risks and benefits of psychedelics and marijuana use.
Through internships, office or event volunteering or joining the Zendo project, there are many ways to get involved with MAPS.
The Zendo Project is an organization that focuses on the peer counseling services to others. You can learn more about how to get involved with the Zendo Project here. Internships with MAPS can be administrative or research based.
Office and event volunteering can always be a possibility, but you need to fill out a form with your contact information and a summary of your interests in the association.
Simply reach out through email and see how you can get involved today.
Equity First Alliance
“Through education, mobilization, dialogue, engagement, and collective action, we work to advance equity in the cannabis industry, to repair harms of the War on Drugs, and to seek justice for those who have been most harmed by it.”
The mission of Equity First Alliance is to harness the political power of cannabis organizers that work at the intersection of the cannabis industry, racial equity, and reparative justice.
Show your support through donations, subscribing to their newsletter to stay updated about events, calls-to-action and policy changes, or volunteering.
While some volunteer opportunities may not be available at this time, you are always able to contact your local, state or national representatives and politicians to lobby for cannabis reform.
By filling out a form on their website, you can learn more about how to volunteer your time with Equity First Alliance or an affiliated organization closest to you.
Americans for Safe Access
Americans for Safe Access are dedicated to providing safe access to medical cannabis to every patient in need throughout the country.
Just like access to any other medication, safe and reliable access to medical marijuana is necessary. Because of COVID-19, now more than ever, it is important for patients to receive their medication, as well as ensure that safety is provided for all.
Remote volunteer options include gathering signatures for petitions and campaigns, data entry, social media, fundraising and more.
Located throughout the country, get involved and join ASA chapters and groups closest to you.
CannaOne
CannaOne Conference and Expos is an organization that provides leading forums and business-to-business trade show events within the cannabis industry.
Through the production of their national events, CannaOne’s mission is to create connections between business communities in the legalized cannabis and hemp industry.
With a focus in providing successful business services as well as identifying new areas of growth, CannaOne events connect people across the country, and industry.
From medical professionals and investors, to dispensary owners and government regulators. These events are generally held in convention centers where volunteers are needed to ensure all aspects of the production run smoothly.
On the CannaOne website there is a list of their upcoming events where you can apply to volunteer. Volunteer positions range from registration, to hospitality, to publicity and program execution.
You can learn more about what each volunteer position does here. Due to these unusual times, some events may be canceled or postponed.
However, each conference recruits volunteers 2-4 months prior to the event date so it doesn’t hurt to check them out now for an event near you.
National Hemp Association (NHA)
The NHA is a nonprofit corporation created to support the growth and development of all aspects of the industrial hemp industry.
Together, the NHA works collaboratively with the hemp industry, government officials and the scientific community.
The goal is to create, develop and implement hemp regulations and standards and use hemp as an alternative crop to our mainstream commodity.
If you want to get involved and volunteer with The National Hemp Association, they offer a range of remote volunteer opportunities.
Some positions may require specialized skills, but opportunities include website updates and maintenance, news and blog writing, social media updates, project research and event coordinating.
Future volunteer opportunities include grant writing, resource tool building, video and podcast production as coalescing specialized committees.
Through volunteering you receive a free membership to the association as well as the opportunity to meet and connect with companies and experts established in the industry.
Joining this association is a great way to get involved today, and begin to make a difference.
With so many great organizations and nonprofits to join, there are endless ways to be a part of the Cannabis industry.
Reach out, get involved, volunteer, learn, educate and share! With so many different organizations to choose from, the choice is yours.
By volunteering, not only are you joining in on a cause you believe in, but you are helping to make a difference.
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Alyson Drobnis is a writer living in Long Island City, New York. Her work focuses on lifestyle, culture and fashion.