Want to sell weed? Here’s how to get a job in the medical cannabis industry in Georgia
Over the last five years, there’s been a 249% increase in American jobs supported by the legal cannabis industry.
In fact, according to Cannabiz Media, there will be 1.5 to 1.75 million U.S. workers in the cannabis industry when the industry reaches its peak.
So, now could be the time to get your lucky break in the industry and start selling weed.
But how do you get a job in the industry? Here’s what you should know:
Types of jobs in the industry
According to THC University, there are numerous jobs in the medical cannabis industry, from a trimmer to an accountant or even a marketer.
According to the blog, a trimmer is the most popular entry-level job in the cannabis industry and pays anywhere between $30k-43k a year.
One of the highest paying jobs in the industry is a cultivation manager, which manages and oversees a growers’ site. This job pays up to $82,000 a year.
Other jobs include a sales associate for around $17 per hour, inventory manager for $61,000 a year and a compliance officer for $69,000 a year.
Get in the know
If you want to sell medical cannabis or at least get into the medical cannabis industry, getting a degree in a field such as horticulture, botany or business management is a good first step.
The University of Georgia (UGA) has a horticulture as well as a plant biology program.
Other schools like North Georgia Technical College and Georgia Southern offer programs in botany and business management.
Another way to get ahead is by gaining relevant experience in horticulture, chemistry or retail.
Then, of course, there’s networking. According to Vangst, “participating in cannabis industry events or volunteering at local dispensaries” as well as building meaningful relationships with people in the industry and state representatives is a great way to become an excellent, stand-out candidate.
Get certified or get a license
Depending on what job you want in the industry, you will need to look up what certifications or licenses are needed. Here are some ideas:
If you’re looking to be a budtender or work in a dispensary, you may need a Certified Cannabis Budtender (CCBT) certification. Or if you want to manage a dispensary, you’ll need to get a Certified Cannabis Dispensary Management (CCDM).
For a career in making edibles, you’ll need a Certified Cannabis Edibles Professional (CCEP) certification.
For growing, you’ll need a Georgia Medical Marijuana Class 1 Producer License, which is limited to low THC oil in a 100,000 square foot cultivation space.
Current Georgia medical cannabis jobs
Take a look at these cannabis jobs in Georgia:
Dispensary associate - Trulieve in Pooler, Georgia, for $14/hour, must be 21 or older
CBD Budtender - HempHaven in Atlanta for $12-14/hour
Budtender - Rowe’s CBD/THC Dispensary in Centerville for $20-28/hour with relevant experience
Cannabis Sales Rep - Native Cannabis Holdings in Atlanta for $40k/year
Have any questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published April 3, 2024 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Want to sell weed? Here’s how to get a job in the medical cannabis industry in Georgia."
