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Cannabis legalization has spread rapidly over the last decade, with the vast majority of states enacting some type of reform. The evolving marijuana market is creating hundreds of thousands of pot jobs nationwide—and new data signals the growth is far from over.
According to the 2024 CannabizTeam cannabis salary guide, the weed industry is expected to provide nearly 800,000 full-time jobs by 2028. That’s an increase of close to 50 percent from 2023 when pot careers hovered around 417,000.
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The prediction is based on a number of factors. East Coast market growth (particularly in New York) and the potential for Florida to legalize adult-use cannabis could accelerate job creation. Growth in the hemp-derived cannabinoid space, including weed beverages, was also cited. The potential of federal rescheduling could also open the floodgates for business across the country.
“Although the industry has faced its share of challenges, with layoffs and over-taxation, the future holds immense promise,” Liesl Bernard, CEO of CannaBiz Team, said in a press release sent to GreenState. “From the anticipated reclassification of cannabis to the gradual expansion on the East Coast and the growing societal acceptance, there’s a wealth of potential to be harnessed. We’re only at the beginning of this exciting journey.”
The most in-demand jobs in cannabis include dispensary managers, directors of cultivation, sales reps, and production leads. A need for short-term fractional executives, including chief financial officers, marketing directors, and compliance officers, is also rising.
In addition to an increase in weed jobs, salaries in the space are also anticipated to grow. Leadership positions for cultivation and retail could see a pay increase of up to six percent in a few short years, according to the report.
For people looking to join the cannabis space, there are plenty of opportunities transcending a range of skill sets and experience. And while working in weed has its wipeouts, the rapid growth of the industry promises to pay big dividends for those willing to ride the wave.