NJ Marijuana Jobs: Tips For Getting Hired In The Cannabis Industry

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has finally started to sell recreational marijuana to the general public. But many job seekers in the state may have a big question as the Green Rush begins: How do I get my foot in the door of the cannabis industry?

According to the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA), the answer is simple: Start with what you know.

Many people interested in getting their foot in the door of the cannabis industry may be focused on how to get a job in a grow space or dispensary. But while those jobs are out there and increasing, there are many more ancillary services the industry needs, NJCTA board member Sarah Trent said.

"We are just like any other industry," Trent said. "We need banking, accountants, lawyers, construction, delivery and packaging services, just to name a few."

"You should take what you know best, educate yourself about the industry in general, and then find a job where your existing skill set applies," Trent added.

>> Read More: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ

The advice from the NJCTA is consistent with what some other industry experts have told Patch.

Earlier this year, the owners of The Library – a cannabusiness seeking to open a dispensary in West Orange – explained what they’ll be looking for in their “budtenders” if they get a license:

“We will be looking for employees that are passionate and knowledgeable about cannabis and the many components such as terpenes, THC% and cannabinoids in general. They will receive formal training from us and may have to be certified to be a budtender, which we will also provide for them. They have to be extremely professional and great at interfacing with the public. We are 'The Library,' and with that being said, we are looking to provide a sophisticated, upscale environment of learning that caters to the mature consumer. Patience will be a virtue and a prerequisite! Definitely must be tech savvy and PC-proficient, in addition to being dependable and successful in problem solving. Being creative, cooperative, and able to meet deadlines when working on multiple projects is a bonus.”

In 2020, after New Jersey voters legalized recreational marijuana, Vangst, a Denver-based recruitment company that tracks jobs nationwide, offered predictions about the upcoming marijuana employment market in the Garden State. Read More: So You Want To Get A Marijuana Job In New Jersey (What To Know)

According to Vangst, there were 2,356 cannabis jobs in New Jersey as part of its medical marijuana program at the time. But after the state's recreational sales get going, that total is expected to balloon to a whopping 21,393 within five years, the company said.

The first wave of job expansion will likely be for production positions, such as horticulturists/growers, scientists and compliance specialists. After that, a second wave of retail jobs is expected to follow, including dispensary "budtenders" and inventory managers. Edible manufacturers will also see a big jump in job growth, researchers predicted.

Vangst offered some tips on how to get a career started in the marijuana industry. See the original blog post here.

TYPES OF CANNABIS JOBS

In 2017, Scott Rudder of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association shared a list of legal marijuana jobs that already exist in the state with Patch.

That list included:

• Grow Master – The top-dog in the grow facility. These folks are a combination of surgeons, artists and engineers.
• Store Managers – Obvious but needs to be included.
• Product Manufacturer – A growing market in the cannabis industry are edibles and other forms of ingestion (tablets, drinks) for medical purposes. This requires FDA-standard equipment and processes to get it done right.
• Extraction Technician – These folks take the flower (buds) and transform it into oil or other product which is then infused into edibles such as cookies, tablets, etc.
• Bud Trimmers – These folks work at the grow facility and take the plant and trim it down (get rid of stems, leaves, etc) to the sellable portions.
• Budtender – The experts in retail operations are called "budtenders." Similar to a barista at an upscale coffee shop or the wine expert at the liquor store, they don't just to sell cannabis, they answer questions, provide descriptions of the different strains and products, etc.
• Doctor/Counselor – Currently, doctors are in demand to help patients through their ailments and if it makes sense, recommend medical cannabis to treat various symptoms. As the market evolves into broader medical applications as well as adult use, people will still depend on guidance to help them address medical issues or other disorders such as PTSD and opioid addiction.
• Edibles Chef/Cook – Wine tastings and pairings are a staple in the wine and foodie culture. The same is true in the cannabis world.
• Lawyer – No one gets and license and stays in business without the help of a talented attorney familiar with the do's and don'ts for cannabis businesses.
• Accountant – Ditto as above.
• Social Media/PR professionals – As the industry progresses and the number of facilities open up, many in the same time frame, getting noticed and keeping a loyal customer base will be tough competition. Savvy professionals that can get the client a leg up will be a critical skill.
• Security – Nothing is grown, moved, or purchased without a significant amount of security.
• IT/Computer Programmer – The state will require a detailed chain of custody of the plants in each operation in order to ensure that legally grown cannabis does not wind up on the black market. There are a lot or programs out there that can integrate and businesses operations to every gram of cannabis – but someone needs to make the magic happen.
• Consultant – This is a rapidly growing industry with a lot of interest. People with a cannabis background and/or horticultural background will prove valuable as novices roll the dice and decide to jump into an industry that is still in its infancy stage.

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