Jobs in the cannabis industry are becoming mainstream in America. Back in 2016, figures showed the cannabis industry fueling jobs in manufacturing and retail. Since then, the industry has continued to grow. According to another study, the American cannabis industry is expected to add around 414,000 jobs by 2021.
While some American states have struggled to grow their cannabis sectors, Colorado has had no such problem. The state surpassed $1 billion in cannabis-related revenue in 2019. In addition, 2019 figures from the Department of Revenue show there are 2,917 licensed marijuana businesses in Colorado and over 40,000 licensed workers.
As revenue grows, so do the employment opportunities for a wide range of workers, regardless of their experience levels.
If you are just starting out, you can look for entry-level positions like bud trimming. However, if you have transferable skills, there’s a much larger variety of jobs open to you.
In a minute, we’ll look at some of the cannabis industry jobs in Denver that could be ideal for you, but the first step to working in the industry is obtaining a Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) Badge.
To Work, You Need a MED Badge
A MED badge is an occupational badge. It gives you permission to work for MED licensed sellers.
To get your license, you can apply online directly from the Colorado government website. There, you’ll also find information about laws and regulations, which you may find useful.
As with other states, there are also two main regulations in Colorado:
You must be over 21 or over to work in the cannabis industry.
You must be a legal citizen of the state.
Different Cannabis Industry Jobs in Denver
There are some jobs you’ll see being advertised regularly in Denver. These include positions for.
Cultivation Technicians
As a cultivation technician, you’ll be responsible for:
Sowing
Weeding
Watering
Feeding
Pruning
Transplanting
Other tasks related to the growth of healthy plants
Keeping insects and other perils at bay
Harvesting of the plants
According to Forbes, the estimated annual salary of a Cultivation Technician is anywhere between $81,000 and $103,000 — with a national average of $51,000 per year. You should also have some understanding of cloning, transplantation, and germination.
Bud Trimmers
This entry-level job doesn’t require any experience; however, you’ll need some basic knowledge so you can identify strains and not trim the marijuana flowers incorrectly.
The role may also involve weighing cannabis and putting it in bags. Typical pay starts at $12 per hour.
Budtenders
As you might have guessed, budtenders act like bartenders. They serve customers in medical and recreational dispensaries. Although bud tendering is an entry-level job, many employers will expect bud tending staff to have some industry knowledge. The job involves helping buyers choose the right strain to meet their needs, but to do so, you’ll need a good understanding of any local laws and regulations. You must also understand different strains and their effects. Personality-wise, you should be much like the local bartender, with good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
In Denver, the average base salary of a budtender is $35,351. On a national level, salaries for budtenders range from $31,000 to $42,000, with an average of $36,000 a year. Typical hourly rates are $11 to 12 plus tips.
Delivery Driver
In 2020, Colorado introduced a new law allowing the commercial delivery of cannabis. While the initial passing of the law related only to medical cannabis, it will be extended to recreational cannabis in 2021.
If you’re considering this job, you must also be up-to-date on the rules for transporting cannabis plants.
Delivery drivers carry a mix of products, including edibles, beverages, and flower, then deliver these products to customers’ doors. Other driving jobs may involve delivering prescriptions for dispensaries. Depending on the company you work for, you may also need a GPS system and to be a car owner.
Another thing to consider is any state regulations and whether you need doctor-authorized medical marijuana or any other certification.
Regardless of what company you work for and which driving job you take, you’ll need a clean driving license and no criminal record. The estimated pay of a cannabis delivery driver in Colorado is anywhere between $13 to $17 per hour.
Non-Manual Work
Aside from manual work, there are many opportunities for staff to work behind the scenes. Some of the most recent vacancies advertised in the Denver area include:
Tech sales executive
Graphic designers
Staff accountants
Wholesale representatives
How to Find a Job in the Colorado Cannabis Industry
As cannabis becomes more mainstream, it’s becoming easier to find jobs in Colorado. At the time of writing, there were 56 cannabis jobs advertised on Joblist.
Other options for finding work include:
Job sites. Regular job sites are increasingly featuring jobs in the cannabis industry. Many of them offer entry-level jobs. However, if you’re more experienced, there are many possible roles you could consider.
Specialist job sites. There are several sites that focus on vacancies in the cannabis sector.
Local companies. Check out local cannabis company websites. Jobs are often advertised on these sites, or you can send a speculative resume.
Online forums and discussion groups. Try and find a forum local to you. They may know about jobs that aren’t being widely advertised.
Start Your Search
The cannabis industry in America is growing strong, and Denver is one of the states benefiting the most. Whether you’re looking for your first job in the cannabis industry or searching for a more advanced position, there is a job out there for you.
Delivery, cultivation, and retail workers are in demand, while budtenders and bud trimmers are needed too. It’s safe to say the cannabis industry in Denver is looking bright, and the time may be right for you to find your perfect job on Joblist.
