Have you ever thought about working in the cannabis industry? Cannabis job growth has skyrocketed with 321,000 people working full-time within the legal cannabis industry in the U.S. in 2020. This is double from the year prior and more than the number of dentists, paramedics, and electrical engineers. Whether you’re just looking for a seasonal job to make some extra cash or are hoping to develop your love of cannabis into a career, this article will help you learn the ins and outs of how to land a job on a weed farm and get your foot in the door.
How much do weed pickers make?
There is a wide range of salaries for cannabis jobs depending on the size of the weed farm, the specific position you hold, what state you're in, and whether the job is seasonal, part-time, or full-time. For example, an entry-level cannabis trimmer or cannabis harvester (weed picker) make roughly $13 to $20 per hour. These two jobs are some of the lowest paying in the industry with not many qualifications required, but they can be worth it for someone who wants to get a foot in the door and work their way up. There are many jobs on a weed farm that require higher education and certifications like head cultivator, grow masters, or extraction technicians, who often have salaries of $100,000 and up. If you start at the bottom and realize that cannabis is your calling, there are numerous opportunities for advancement in this growing industry.
How old do you have to be to work in a weed farm?
Like most other rules and regulations regarding cannabis, the minimum age to work on a weed farm isn’t very straight forward. Typically anyone working with cannabis must be at least 18 years old, however this varies from state to state and even between municipalities. Age restrictions may also differ based on the position itself. Cannabis trimmers for example are often asked to be at least 21 years old. Anyone applying for a cannabis job will probably also be asked to provide a background check to prove you have a clean criminal and driving record.
How to Land a Job on a Weed Farm
Besides the obvious job finding tips like tailoring your resume, gaining experience in the field, and perfecting your interview skills, these are the main ways to land a weed farm job.
Network
There are tons of cannabis industry events going on every year including the Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, BizCann Expo, Lucky Leaf Expo, CannaOne Conference, USA CBD Expo, and the O’Cannabis Expo in Canada. Not only will you learn more about what the cannabis industry has to offer, you will also find out about lesser known startups, what companies are up to, and possible job openings. Meeting potential employers face-to-face makes a huge difference and you may even land a job on the spot. Be sure to bring along your resume and business card just in case. You can also network online and connect with people already in the industry such as cannabis business owners on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Comment, like, and send a direct message to those you’d be interested in working for. Local small businesses and startup weed farms often advertise job openings on their social media pages.
Gain experience
If you want to work in the cannabis industry, the first thing you need to do is gain experience in your preferred job. That means interning or volunteering your time at a cannabis farm to get to know the basics. While it’s great to reach out to weed farms directly, you can also choose to WWOOF. Short for World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, WWOOFers donate their time helping out on farms, ranches, homesteads, or other projects in exchange for room and board. WWOOFing can be a great first experience working with cannabis plants and learning about cultivation and harvesting.
Get Certified
With a rise in cannabis industry jobs, specifically for cultivation and sales, there are a growing number of certifications available. If you are simply looking for a summer job or part-time college job as a trimmer for example, you do not need a certification. However, if you’re planning to land a job on a weed farm and build it into a lifelong career, a specialized certification can help you reach those goals.
Search online
There are a number of job listings specific to cannabis industry jobs, but don’t disregard traditional job listing websites either! These are a few to check out:
- Craigslist
- 420 Careers
- Vangsters
- WeedHire
- THC Jobs
- So Hooked Up
- BlazedIn
- Viridian Staffing
- Canna Classifieds
- Marijuana Jobs/Cannabis Careers
Try a cannabis staffing agency
If you’re looking for a specific job in cannabis, are trying to get hired as soon as possible, or simply want to take the work out of looking for a job, then try one of these industry tailored cannabis staffing agencies.
- Ms. Mary Staffing
- THC Staffing Group
- HempStaff
- Cannamed Talent Solutions
- Vangst Staffing
Now that you’re ready to apply to your first job on a weed farm, why not get some firsthand experience with the green goddess. Visit our online smoke shop for everything you need for your next smoke sesh including silicone bongs, rolling papers, herb grinders, bubblers, dab rigs, vaporizers, rolling trays, e-rigs, dab tools, and more!
