Nothing beats the feeling of walking into a cannabis dispensary. The vibrant aromas of different strains, coupled with friendly budtenders, can make any weed enthusiast want to spend all their time there, or better yet, work there.
When most people think about cannabis jobs, bud tending and growing are what come to mind. But, in a market estimated to be worth more than $70.6 billion by 2028, there are numerous other job titles from which you can choose. If you plan on getting a cannabis job here in Virginia, here are a few tips to get you started.
Types of Cannabis Jobs in Virginia
Budtending
Do you remember your first time in a cannabis dispensary? Most probably, you were greeted by a friendly person who seemed to know everything about cannabis. You can be that person.
Budtending is a pretty cool job, and you get to meet lots of people and share knowledge on cannabis. But the job involves more than getting high and talking about pot. In fact, some dispensaries don’t even allow you to get high while you’re at work.
Budtenders will have to answer customers’ product questions and give expert recommendations. To be a budtender, you need to have extensive knowledge of cannabis products and good people skills.
Edible Baking
As more states legalize cannabis, people are becoming craftier in the way they use it. Among the most popular modes of cannabis consumption are edibles. So if you love cannabis and know how to bake, this might be the perfect job for you.
As an edible baker, your job mainly entails producing cookies, cakes, candies, and other THC-laden delicacies. You can apply for a job at a dispensary that bakes its goods. You can also file state-specific paperwork to start your baking operation.
Cannabis Trimming
Do you like working with your hands? If so, then working as a cannabis trimmer might be a good fit. This is especially true if you have prior experience in farming or landscaping. The best thing about being a trimmer is that you don’t need a college degree. The job involves preparing the weed for sale during and after harvesting. You can expect to earn at least $12 to $15 an hour as a trimmer.
Cannabis Extraction
If you are a cannabis enthusiast with chemistry or another science-based degree, you should seriously consider applying for a job as a cannabis extractor. Cannabis extractors are professionals who have the necessary training to separate cannabinoid-rich trichomes from the cannabis flower.
Cannabis Growing
Every cannabis user has thought of cultivating the herb at some point in their life. If you’ve had the same thoughts, why not capitalize on your passion? To be a cannabis grower, you’ll need a knack for business, a cultivation license, and actual knowledge of how to grow cannabis.
Steps of Getting Into the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis market is the fastest-growing industry in the country. It’s also the one business that has to deal with the most complex legal issues. The industry is pretty young, so now is the best time to take advantage of the green rush. To make the most out of your first interview, take your time to go through the following tips.
Know the Plant
How much do you know about cannabis? Can you differentiate between Indica and Sativa? How about the different strains? And have you tried growing it yourself? Getting into the industry with a holistic approach and an educational foundation comes in handy when relating to potential employers.
If you’re in it only for the money, your potential employers will smell that. So they might not want to work with you. Most employers in the cannabis industry seek to hire people who are not only passionate about the plant but also skilled at what they do.
Understand the Legal Issues
Do you follow up on the legislative changes that occur in Virginia? If you don’t, you should probably catch up before writing your first resume or applying for a license. Keeping up with the regulations in the cannabis industry can go a long way in identifying changes that could disrupt or reveal new opportunities.
Legal awareness is a huge asset to cannabis companies since most of them operate in legal gray areas. In this industry, understanding the legal framework can give you a greater chance for success than relying on your business acumen alone.
What Are Your Skills?
Talent is very hard to come by, and as such, your skills could land you that perfect job you’ve been eyeing. So, before you write that resume, first ask yourself, “what am I good at? The cannabis industry is an all-inclusive market, so you can always find a role that suits you no matter your skills.
Whether you’re good at customer service, law, agriculture, or finance, you bet there’s a company out there looking to hire someone with your particular skill set.
Which Companies Interest You?
Sure, you want a job in the cannabis industry, but that doesn’t mean that you should work for any company out there. When applying for a job, do a little digging into some of the best dispensaries in the industry. Find out how they work and the measures they’ve put in place to provide a high level of customer satisfaction, product quality, and corporate responsibility.
Recognizing the various techniques used by top industry players will help you identify the best companies to work for and how to add value once you get there.
The Bottom Line
For most cannabis users and enthusiasts, getting a job in the cannabis industry is nothing short of a dream come true. Although it’s a relatively young industry, there are tons of job opportunities that are up for grabs. We’ve given you a list of some of the most common job titles in the industry and a couple of useful tips on how to get them. We hope this sets you on the right track to getting your cannabis dream job in Virginia.
