How to Find Dispensary Jobs When You Want To Get Into The Cannabis Industry

By: Shelby Cokeley

So, you’re interested in cannabis dispensary jobs?

From the outside, it’s easy to assume all dispensary jobs are filled by Shaggy-esque characters who know more about making top-notch munchie meals than cultivating their own strain.

However, cannabis is a business, even if it’s weighed down by false pretenses. Dispensaries aren’t run solely by budtenders or tactical salesmen, but a combination of both and those in between.

If you find yourself asking, “Well, where does that leave me?”, it may serve you best to take yourself out of the cannabis focused mindset.

Instead, ask yourself the same questions you would be asking if you were on a more typical job hunt: “How would my skill set be best applied in this industry?” “In what environment do I see myself and my work thriving?” “What am I good at?”

Whatever those answers may be, they should also dictate your job in relation to cannabis, just as they would any other. Focusing on one’s personal strengths can narrow job focus and provide confidence, even in an emerging and competitive field.

What kind of dispensary jobs are available?

Initiating a cannabis career – Entry positions

Bud Trimmers

One of the most entry-level jobs in dispensaries is bud trimming. This position involves trimming harvested cannabis. It often proves to be one of the more physically demanding jobs in the industry and also one of the lowest paying. However, even this position can command a decent salary and provide huge opportunities if you’re willing to work your way up the industry ladder.

Budtenders

If working directly with plants instead of customers doesn’t appeal to your sociable personality, other, more retail-based positions are also available on the ground level.

After all, if a dispensary’s products are successful among consumers, someone has to process all their sales transactions. Cashiers — or budtenders as they’re often described — aren’t usually in short supply, but for those with extensive experience and a special interest in cannabis, the job may be a perfect fit.

Social Media / Advertising

The socially inclined may also consider entering the marketing, advertising or social media part of the cannabis industry. These dispensary-adjacent jobs prove an integral part of the industry.

Larger dispensary chains like Green Thumb Industries (owner of Beboe) and Curaleaf are starting to emerge as retail dominators, creating more competition between businesses and therefore more job opportunities for those with design skills.

Advanced cannabis careers – Experienced positions

Management

With a more advanced background in retail, like supervisory experience, one could also land a sales management position. This type of job entails taking care of the dispensary’s day-to-day operation: opening and closing, providing guidance to lower level budtenders and keeping a finger on the pulse of the shop.

Master Growers / Cultivators

The same can be said for master growers and cultivators, who represent higher level budtending and accept more responsibilities like maintaining proper legal paperwork, communicating with the state and interacting with inspectors.

These more advanced growers are also in charge of cultivating different strains and forms of cannabis, resulting in a significant pay raise. Masters of the field can make “upwards of $100,000 a year,” according to HempStaff.

Extraction Technicians

Extraction technicians, paired with robust extraction machines, separate cannabinoid and terpenes from cannabis for the creation of specific products. Technicians should be capable of not only using but fixing their specialized equipment, and give impressively accurate product suggestions to dispensary customers.

Where are dispensary jobs available?

Where are dispensary opportunities located?

According to Leafly’s recent 2020 Jobs Report, there are 11 states that offer recreational cannabis business opportunities, while double that amount, 22, offer significant medical cannabis business opportunities. Leafly’s fourth annual cannabis jobs count also reported that legal cannabis supports 243,700 full-time-equivalent jobs as of early 2020.

Recreational + Medical States:

California
Colorado
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
Oregon
Vermont
Washington

Medical-Only States:

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
West Virginia

And, while it’s easy to assume states that have legalized both recreational and medicinal cannabis sales offer more job opportunities, constantly changing laws and policies make that not the case.

Leafly’s report found Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Illinois all leading in employment expansion. The state of Florida also saw amazing growth in 2019, sporting more than 300,000 registered medical marijuana patients — the most of any state.

According to the same report, California and Michigan suffered job losses, due to the move of legal to non-legal status on countless dispensaries. However, both states are expected to gain these jobs back after the issuing of more licenses and continuing their steady growth.

How can you find a dispensary job?

How do I find what jobs are available?

One thing that isn’t so mystifying about dispensary jobs is how to find what’s available to you in your area. Like almost every business in this modern world, dispensary job postings are found online more than anywhere else.

Vangst

Vangst provides recruitment, staffing and other job placement services. The modern stoner’s LinkedIn connects clients with employees of varying levels, from executives to entry-level positions in the cannabis industry. Jobs can be sorted through by date posted, experience level, job type, etc.

Ms. Mary Staffing

Ms. Mary Staffing is a staffing agency specializing in, “cannabis placements, from dispensaries to grows.” Unlike some other placement services, Ms Mary Staffing also offers writing assistance to help ensure your resume is properly formatted for the jobs you’re seeking.

Hempstaff

Hempstaff may offer one of the largest arrays of services compared to other resources. The industry recruiter not only offers a cannabis job board feature, but dispensary training and resume reviews.

420 Job Boards

This job feed keeps it simple and effective with customizable career searches based on your preferred location and specific job. Similarly to LinkedIn as well, it also enables job alerts so you can “quick apply” and be the first to send over your resume.

Leafly

Read up on Leafly’s look at the industry. Though better known for their dispensary menus, Leafly’s industry news section includes “cannabis industry information for businesses including tips, news, and advice for dispensaries.”

Social Media / Instagram

Attend local promotional events as a soft entrance into your local cannabis community. Engaging in conversation about your interest in the industry could be enough to get your foot in the door and your name remembered. Using social media in this way can also serve as a professional tool.

Dispensary jobs qualifications

What will get me hired?

Opportunity doesn’t wait, so it’s best to not only be aware of what dispensary jobs are out there, but what you have to do and know to get hired.

Formal Learning

A great way to set your resume apart from the crowd is to receive a certification in budtending and/or cultivation.

Currently there’s no national regulation on courses such as these, so it’s of the utmost importance you do your research when selecting a training course. However, the initiative to take a course alone, before receiving a job offer, shows promise to future employers.

Informal Learning

Being knowledgeable about cannabis can also help you establish a solid foundation for hire. Customers depend on dispensary employees’ suggestions, so displaying a complete understanding of cannabis, its many forms, applications, etc. can win major points.

It’s from that educated perspective customers can feel assured they chose the right dispensary to visit, and hopefully, visit again.

A step beyond being knowledgeable, is being up-to-date. It’s a safe assumption most cannabis employers are doing their best to stay on top of trends in the industry; so what could impress them more than someone who can schmooze about the latest innovations and best products on the market? Check out trendy magazines like Gossamer and Broccoli.