When it comes to the cannabis industry, getting into the industry is the hardest part. We've teamed up with BIPOCANN and its network of businesses working to shape a more accessible and profitable legal cannabis industry. Here's how you can get into the brand side of cannabis.

Career Paths Within Cannabis Brands

While the team structure of every cannabis company is unique, most prominent brands and multi-state operators (known as MSOs) tend to have the following core departments: Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance.

Today, we're breaking down what common career paths in each department entails and what the growth opportunities are when working with a cannabis brand!

Common Career Paths Within Cannabis Brands

Here are a few different career paths within a cannabis brand you could take, broken down into core departments:

Sales

Sales jobs in the cannabis industry can include sales representatives or account managers who help cannabis product manufacturers sell their products to dispensaries or other wholesale providers. An effective sales team is crucial for cannabis brands because it is the primary driver of revenue! Some potential job titles in cannabis sales include:

• Account Manager
• Sales Representative
• Sales Manager
• Director of Sales
• VP of Sales

Marketing

Marketing jobs in the cannabis industry would include roles focused on advertising and promoting a brand and its products to dispensaries, wholesalers, and the end consumer. The marketing department is so important because this team often interacts with customers and sets the tone for how the brand is represented to the public. Job titles you may see in cannabis marketing include:

• Marketing Coordinator
• Marketing Manager
• Social Media Specialist
• PR Specialist
• Director of Marketing
• VP of Marketing
• Data Analyst
• Creative Director

Operations

Operations jobs in the cannabis industry involve setting and executing strategies and processes throughout the production cycle. The operations team ensures production is on time, efficient, and compliant - an absolute necessity in the cannabis industry. A few job titles that are common in cannabis operations are:

• Operations Assistant
• Operations Manager
• Program Manager
• Operations Analyst
• Director of Operations
• VP of Operations

Finance

Finance jobs in the cannabis industry include roles responsible for setting and adhering to budgets, managing receipts and invoices, paying bills, and more. Professionals in the finance department must be highly-skilled and detail-oriented, ensuring all financial documents are accurate and compliant. Available jobs on the finance team of a cannabis brand might include the following:

• Financial Advisor
• Treasurer
• Financial Manager
• Accountant
• Purchasing Manager
• Director of Finance
• VP of Finance

Prerequisites for Working With a Cannabis Brand

If you're interested in taking the first step on a new career path with a cannabis brand, here are some questions you may have:

Do I need a college degree or certification?

This will depend on the career path - for example, while entry-level marketing and sales roles typically don't require a particular degree, higher-level roles in operations and finance often will. However, suppose you have relevant experience in cannabis or another related field or are willing to start in an entry-level role and work your way up. In that case, there are certainly ways you can work in the cannabis industry without a specific degree.

What skills can transfer to a career with a cannabis brand?

Suppose you don't have previous experience in the cannabis industry but are trying to secure an entry-level position in the field. In that case, some transferrable skills can give you a competitive advantage:

1. Tech-saviness. From POS systems to Instagram accounts and seed-to-sale tracking platforms, you likely won't be able to cut it working in a dispensary or cannabis production company without being able to use these kinds of modern-day tech tools.
2. Flexibility and willingness to learn. Cannabis is a newly legal industry with regulations and best practices constantly changing and evolving, so the ability to be agile and a passion for continued learning is a must.
3. Sales and marketing experience. A background in sales and marketing provides transferable customer service skills that can help you in nearly any facet of the cannabis industry.
4. Being a self-starter. The cannabis industry is still in its infancy, so a highly motivated, determined, and ambitious person can create their own opportunity to get their foot in the door and work their way up the corporate ladder.
5. A positive attitude. As a new market without widespread regulations and federal legalization, working in cannabis has its challenges. Maintaining an open mind and positive attitude is essential for success, no matter what career path in the industry you choose to take.

What might other industries be best suited for jobs within this part of cannabis?

Having relevant experience in other highly-regulated industries, such as alcohol and gambling, is always helpful when looking to shift into the cannabis industry.

Growth In Career Outlook

According to a recent market analysis report, the global legal cannabis market was valued at 13.2 billion dollars in 2021. This valuation is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 25.5% from 2022 to 2030.

As the demand for legal cannabis grows, so does the demand for skilled professionals who can help brands capitalize on this "green rush," meaning there has never been a better time to start your career in the cannabis industry!