Much of the stigma related to the cannabis plant and industry is becoming dispelled, and the field offers all sorts of opportunities. Whether it’s at the management level, marketing and sales, or at the production level, more and more people are needed to fill crucial roles. The lack of talent in many areas is also pushing wages up, which makes this a great chance for new graduates to get a good salary straight after graduation.
Let’s take a look at some of the highest paying careers in the cannabis industry.
Cannabis Consultant
Consultants are usually paid very well, and the cannabis industry is no different. Cannabis is still a legal minefield in many states, and manufacturers need guidance with things like regulations and compliance.
If you’d like to work as a consultant, one great option would be to get a graduate certificate in cannabis control. You’ll be familiar with the complexities of the cannabis industry, and will be well informed about the latest changes in legislation as well as their impact. This could be a great certificate for someone who already has a background in the industry or people like lawyers who want to diversify their expertise and cater directly to this growing niche.
Dispensary CFO or COO
Dispensaries need CFOs more than any business, and the industry is in desperate need of qualified talent. A dispensary COO or CFO can expect to make as much as $125,000 per year, and that’s without added bonuses and benefits.
As a dispensary CFO or COO, your responsibilities will be to manage cultivation facility operations, manage the dispensary’s accounting department, and supervise financial reporting. You will also be asked to oversee harvesting, processing, and distribution, and improving efficiency by analyzing operations. In addition, you’ll also need to be able to develop and monitor budgets.
Note that you don’t necessarily need to have experience in the industry to fill this role. If you’re a certified public accountant and held a similar role in another industry, you might be qualified for the job.
Cannabis Extraction Technician
Cannabis extraction technicians are responsible for overseeing the cannabis extraction process. They might be asked to separate different cannabinoids using various methods such as supercritical CO2 extraction or solvents like butane. These technicians can stand to make between $75,000 to $125,000 per year, and play a central role in the industry, so we can only expect the demand to grow.
Botanical Specialist
Cannabis growth ops are extremely sophisticated and have to meet stringent rules as well. Good botanical specialists are paid top dollar to take care of growing tasks and managing warehouses. In addition to looking over the planting, feeding, trimming, and harvesting of plants, they also have to look after supplies and train supervisors. Botanical specialists can earn over $100,000 per year.
These are just some of the many careers the cannabis industry has to offer. No matter your expertise, chances are you can parlay it into a career in the field, so if that’s something that would interest you, check if you can get additional qualifications that will get you there.
