Jobs In Marijuana: A Guide To Getting Hired

Now that marijuana is slowly gaining acceptance and legalization throughout the country, job openings in the cannabis industry are popping up everywhere. The cannabis industry is expected to become a multibillion dollar business - and yes, almost everyone can get a slice of that pie in one way or another.

Major potheads probably are wondering how they can get paid to be surrounded by marijuana. Considering that there's a career out there for everyone, these job hunting tips can help you find a pot-friendly job in your area - assuming that it's legal where you are.

First, you're going to need to know what jobs are out there for marijuana aficionados.

The most obvious way to get close to reefer culture would be to own or work in a head shop. As long as you have some retail experience and no criminal record, you can probably get hired at one of these stores. This has been a standard "given" in the field for decades.

But, there are other jobs available that you may want to consider...

• Marijuana Processor. This takes skill, and may mean that you have to admit to your employer that you've worked as a drug dealer before. Processors are people who create THC concentrates like wax, oil, shatter, and dabs. That being said, you might not want to tell them you were a drug dealer. Instead, you may want to show them that you have a background in chemistry - and a degree to prove it.
• Glass Blower. If you have a background in glass blowing, you can actually open up your own business as a bong producer.
• Growers, Budtenders, And Trimmers. These jobs do exist in dispensaries, and if you know how to trim a plant, you are a good candidate for this position.
• Sales. Don't have a chemistry degree? Being a brand ambassador for pharmaceutical companies that sell cannabis products or working in their telesales department could be an easy way to get your foot in the door.
• Couriers. A lot of people will want to have their bud delivered to them, so you might as well get paid to meet their needs.
• Reviewers. Yes, there are people out there who get paid to review pot. It's a dream job, right? Sites like Leafly make it happen - and once in a while, they'll hire!
• Cannabis Bakers. People love edibles, and you could be the person who makes them.
• Journalists. Many, many marijuana-related magazines are out there. In fact, you're reading one right now. This job will require good writing skills, and will continue to exist regardless of marijuana's legality.
• Regulation. Laws on pot use in DC are way stricter than in Cali. So, you might as well use this to your advantage by being a regulator who ensures that everything is up to snuff.

It's important to remember that there are issues involving law in play.

The vast majority of people who get hired into these positions have clean criminal records, so be prepared to have your job prospects lowered if you're a felon. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of pressure against marijuana legalization by the DEA and police forces. To avoid problems, employers will want to have employees with squeaky clean records.

That being said, jobs are still out there - even though competition is pretty stiff at times.

Now, let's talk about getting a job in the marijuana career of your choice.

Getting into marijuana is just like getting into any other career. You need to show that you have the qualities that employers want to have in their staff members. So, read up on their qualifications - and try to match yourself against them.

Of course, common sense also can tell you a lot about what these employers are trying to find. Your job is to match the LEGAL skills you have with what they want on a resume - and ideally, also avoid mentioning any illegal activities while doing so.

If your ideal job would be an "edible baker," then you obviously should talk about your culinary certifications and any time spent in a bakery. (Actually, culinary certifications are probably mandatory for bakers, so if you want to be a baker, you will need to get these as soon as possible.)

If your ideal job is in harvesting or growing, this may require some knowledge of horticulture. Picking up some valuable books, showing that you have skills via a community garden, and also possibly showing transcripts of agriculture courses you took in college can help you get that interview.

A good idea to consider is going for certification in marijuana-related industries. Showing official paperwork always helps!

Once you put together a good resume that's specifically tailored to a cannabis career, you need to start applying.

It will definitely take more than one try, and you will have to fight like hell to get to those first couple of interviews. Don't take rejection personally; it's a new field and the fact is that everyone is still getting their names out there.

Here are some smart, specifically cannabis-related tips once you do get that interview.

All the typical interview tips you see on regular career guides still apply. However, there are certain tips that you should be extra aware of when you're trying to get a job in cannabis:

• Be humble. It's a brand spanking new industry! You can't go in there acting like a know-it-all and expect people to believe you or humor you. Be willing to be trainable and work with them. Remember, there are plenty of other people who want to be in that interviewing seat!
• Don't mention any criminal past. Yes, it may be the marijuana industry, but that doesn't mean that it's a criminal "free for all." They still want law abiding people running the show, so keep that in mind when interviewing.
• Read up before you go in. The cannabis industry is changing daily, and you need to show that you have some knowledge of the field. By being knowledgable, you're showing you're not just a "slacker pothead" that wants to get paid to smoke.
• Networking is key. Always make a good impression with your interviewer. You never know who will be watching you later on!