The 10 best jobs in the cannabis industry right now

If you had a pot of brownie ten years ago, you would have had to close your curtains and light an incense to mask the smell of cannabis. You could even have been arrested for possession of marijuana. But today you can boldly write “cannabis expert” on your social media page without fear.

Marijuana laws are also changing rapidly across America as more states legalize cannabis. The cannabis industry is now a multi-million dollar industry, and wherever you find money in any sector, that industry will inevitably create jobs for the people.

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The marijuana industry has created enthusiastic people, jobs and numerous high-paying jobs. As the industry grows, so do job opportunities, and if you are interested in thriving in this sector, you’ll want to learn about the highest paying jobs in the industry.

Here is a list of some of the highest paying, most fulfilling jobs in the cannabis industry:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

This is a highly skilled position with the person needed to advance the cannabis company’s financial planning, implement investment strategies, and evaluate its cash flow. The CFO also manages other financial aspects of the company and is considered one of a company’s top officials. The cannabis CFO earns an annual salary of $ 260,000 to $ 330,000.

Production manager of the company

Cannabis companies are all about operations and production. The production manager ensures that the entire production runs smoothly and that the company goals are achieved, as this has an impact on sales. As this is a senior position, you will need years of manufacturing, facility management and inventory control experience with an in-depth understanding of cannabis industry practices. The salary range is between $ 130,000 and $ 177,500.

Head of Cultivation

The grower is the master grower at the heart of the business: without growing cannabis plants, there will be no business. He must have a horticultural background and experience managing a greenhouse. The smaller the farm, the lower the wages for a master breeder and cultivation manager. But large establishments offer higher pay, and this is the best way to go. The salary is between $ 128,000 and $ 189,000.

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Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

This role is a managerial role and he is responsible for overseeing all research, science, and technology activities of the company. The CSO should have a Masters or Ph.D. degree. with years of experience in the cannabis industry. He is also expected to train and supervise laboratory staff while keeping the company updated on industry insights. The salary range is between $ 150,000 and $ 225,000.

agronomist

The agronomist is an experienced breeder who is also a soil expert. He should know how to grow and genetically modify marijuana plants for new strains. In this case, agronomists are also called crop doctors or “weed doctors”. You are responsible for improving crop yields and their shelf life. You need a solid knowledge base in chemistry, earth sciences, biology, and other related fields. According to recent research, the agronomist received a 7% pay increase from 2019 to 2020, which was $ 80,500 to $ 86,750.

Manager of a cannabis pharmacy

All pot shops need retail managers, the pharmacy manager trains, hires and fires employees. She also manages product inventory, interacts with customers, and implements company policies. It is your responsibility to make sure everything is going well at the pharmacy. You will need some experience in retail management, especially in the cannabis industry. The salary range is between $ 75,000 and $ 85,000.

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Tissue culture manager

This is the person in charge of other tissue culture technologies and overseeing all parts of the micro-propagation process. He documents the correct practices and gives instructions to the micropropagation team. You will need some experience in tissue culture management and experience as a supervisor. The salary range is $ 73-400-77,450.

Auditors

A critical aspect of cannabis production is making sure everything is done in accordance with the law and local and state regulations. The Compliance Manager keeps all team members up to date on regulatory issues and ensures that everything is done correctly. You will need in-depth knowledge of cannabis regulations and any compliance-related experience. The salary range is between $ 71,000 and $ 110,500.

Microbiologist

The cannabis microbiologist for a marijuana company analyzes samples and evaluates data. He also interprets his findings in relation to company management and other team members. To qualify, you must have a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related science field. The salary ranges from $ 66,000 to $ 80,500.

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Extraction laboratory manager

This is a position best suited for a large cannabis company. The position includes overseeing other people who work in the laboratory and ensuring that their day-to-day laboratory work is in line with its goals. You will need a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or other related programs and experience as a laboratory manager. You must be familiar with the cannabis extraction process and all of its compliance laws. The salary range is between $ 65,000 and $ 80,000.

Regional sales manager

The area sales manager works with potential business customers, trains sales staff and reports sales-related data. Its job is to travel to the pharmacies and retail locations, find out the coveted products and facilitate promotional events. The sales manager needs to know a lot about the industry and other competing companies. Income is between $ 65,000 and $ 75,000.

Bottom line

The cannabis industry is here for the long term and will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. If you are looking to boost your career in this industry, these top jobs are great suggestions on how and where to start.

Don’t worry about starting from below; so many people who are making the six-figure figure you see today started from the grassroots many years ago. They started when it wasn’t “cool” to be in the industry and today they are at the top.

As the world moves towards full cannabis acceptance through government legalization, you have a secure career path that is fulfilling and financially rewarding.

* Please Note: These are just some of the best jobs in the cannabis industry as there are many more positions in various marijuana companies.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.