The cannabis industry is experiencing significant growth in Ohio, creating a demand for various job roles as the market matures. Based on data from Indeed, the employment portal is seeing a plethora of listings for entry-level positions ranging from cultivators and trimmers to customer service roles within this burgeoning sector. In addition, cannabis companies are actively seeking skilled maintenance professionals and experienced marketers as they establish their operations.
B.C. Wehman, an industry veteran, transformed his career after two decades in traditional retail, moving into marketing and sales with Lighthouse Sciences, a cannabis processor located in Eastlake. He also serves as an instructor at the Cleveland School of Cannabis and co-hosts the Because Cannabis podcast. Wehman highlighted the multifaceted nature of cannabis-related careers, emphasising the crucial role of scientific expertise alongside marketing and operational support. “One of the parts that we don’t think about when it comes to cannabis is the very science-minded folks,” Wehman noted, mentioning Ohio's strict testing standards, which necessitate skilled professionals in testing labs.
Furthermore, Wehman predicts an increasing demand for irrigation specialists, security personnel, and attorneys capable of navigating Ohio's evolving legal landscape regarding cannabis. He remarked, “A lot of the time people talk ‘weed jobs’ and think of people just growing weed. All the jobs people have to do in normal companies – accounts receivable and payable, human resources – those all exist (in cannabis), too.”
Nationwide, the legal cannabis industry supports over 440,000 full-time equivalent jobs, as reported by Vangst and Whitney Economics, with therapeutic usage allowed in 40 states and recreational use legal in 24 states plus the District of Columbia. Although established states like Colorado and Washington have experienced declines in employment, states new to the market, such as Michigan, have seen job growth, adding more than 11,000 positions, a 39% increase from the previous year.
While it is too early to determine precise employment forecasts for Ohio's cannabis sector, experts believe that as half of the cannabis positions comprise entry-level roles, the state will likely see similar growth. Lenny Berry, founder of the Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit, indicated that the local market will necessitate delivery drivers, plant trimmers, product packagers, and customer service representatives. Among the in-demand roles in local dispensaries are budtenders, who require a deep understanding of products, strains, and their effects to assist consumers, particularly the novice.
Berry elaborated on the compensation landscape, stating that dispensary consultant roles typically pay approximately £17 per hour, while general managers can command up to £26 per hour. Although the entry-level sector is described as a “revolving door,” new opportunities will arise with the anticipated increase in product variety, necessitating brand ambassadors to educate consumers about the emerging products. “Ambassadors are the people on the front line of education for cultivators and processors,” Berry explained.
The prospective growth in the cannabis industry allows for career advancement, with entry-level roles like trimmers potentially advancing to cultivation associates, while budtenders may be promoted to dispensary management. Berry referenced the transferable skills of non-cannabis retail managers who transition into the cannabis space, stating, “There’s a lot of people that transition from big box stores. They come into the cannabis side running retail operations and never had a history of working in cannabis.”
Klutch Cannabis, an Akron-based cultivator with a dispensary in Lorain, corroborated this trend, noting its diverse range of positions, including those in processing and production, such as the manufacturing of edibles. According to Pete Nischt, the chief compliance and communications director at Klutch, the company had 250 employees before the legalisation of cannabis and projects that number could double or even triple within the next 18 months. “It’s safe to say no job has declined, but like any company that’s experiencing exponential growth, the roles get more specialized,” Nischt stated.
He encouraged prospective job seekers in the cannabis industry to proactively pursue opportunities, saying, “People ask this question a lot – ‘How do I get involved, how do I get a job?’ We are in a place where we’re never not hiring,” highlighting that numerous companies in Ohio share this sentiment.
Thus, the evolving landscape of cannabis in Ohio presents diverse employment opportunities, driven by advancements in regulation and market demand, marking a significant shift in the state's economic and professional dynamics.
Source: Noah Wire Services