Licensed cannabis and hemp businesses are operating in 42 states across the United States, and according to research by Vangst, a cannabis industry recruiting company, 211,000 people were employed in full-time legal cannabis industry positions in 2019 – a significant increase from previous years.
Growth is expected to continue in both the cannabis and hemp industries in 2020, so there is no better time to start thinking about a new career or a new business opportunity in this booming industry than the early days of the New Year!
Cannabis Business Opportunities in 2020
Both the cannabis and hemp industries were booming in 2019 and the early days of 2020 show big things are in store this year! Medical or adult-use cannabis is a key topic among state and federal lawmakers, and already, some form of cannabis legislation is on the 2020 ballot in multiple states, including New Jersey, South Dakota, and Mississippi with more states likely to be added in the coming months.
Within the past month, legal recreational cannabis sales started in Massachusetts and Illinois. Sales did not disappoint, particularly in Illinois where first day sales on January 1st reached nearly $3.2 million through more than 77,000 transactions.
Signs point to measurable growth in the hemp industry in 2020 as well. The USDA released its interim rules for the federal hemp program in late 2019, and already three state hemp plans and three tribal hemp plans have been approved by the agency. While the industry still faces delays and confusion, the building blocks are being set for the future with 2020 poised to be an important year.
With all of the growth expected in the cannabis market, 2020 is the perfect time for aspiring entrepreneurs to join the industry. The best way to give yourself the greatest chance for success in this young industry is to educate yourself by enrolling in an industry-specific certification courses developed for cannabis entrepreneurs and investors. Find a cannabis business certification course in your area.
Cannabis Career Opportunities in 2020
Some of the hottest jobs in the cannabis industry according to Vangst’s 2019 Cannabis Industry Salary Guide research are cultivation technicians, directors of cultivation, trimmers, packagers, budtenders, brand ambassadors, sales representatives, delivery drivers, and administrative and corporate roles.
Salaries can range from $11.40 per hour to $16.90 per hour for trimmers all the way to $167,000 per year or more for executive and specialized roles like vice president of manufacturing. There are also a variety of jobs available at ancillary businesses that provide products and services for cannabis companies.
As more states legalize medical and recreational cannabis or expand their current programs, the need for skilled employees at all levels will grow exponentially. Make yourself the best candidate for the job you want by getting the right education and credentials! Find a cannabis career certification course in your area.
RELATED READING: Download the FREE Guide to Cannabis Jobs
Your Next Step to Be Successful in the Cannabis Industry This Year
The number of cannabis business and career opportunities has grown every year in recent history, and 2020 won’t be an exception to that rule. The reality is this industry is far from reaching its limits.
Remember, 42 states have legalized some form of medical marijuana, but many of those states have restrictive programs with significant opportunities for growth. Furthermore, only 11 states have legalized adult-use marijuana. Clearly, as more states change their laws to allow recreational cannabis, more business and job opportunities will open up. It’s not a matter of if it will happen anymore. It’s just a matter of when it will happen.
The best thing you can do is to ensure you have the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in the cannabis industry, and you can do it by registering for one or more certification courses offered by Leafy Green Agency. Want to open a cannabis business? Register for a masterclass workshop, business seminar, cultivation seminar, or dispensary seminar. Want to land a job in the industry? Register for a careers course or budtender and brand ambassador course.
You can view more information about Leafy Green Agency’s certification courses by clicking on the Seminars tab in the top navigation bar of our website.
Ready to get started? It’s easy to find a course in your area and register here.