3 Misconceptions about working in the Cannabis Industry

By: Sean Cook

Misconception

1. The Cannabis Industry is full of pot head slackers:
   • The people that I have encountered in the Cannabis Industry are some of the hardest working people I have ever met. I think that is because they are pursuing their passion.  Everyone in the Cannabis industry is a pioneer in a new, alternative industry. That means that we are constantly learning and having to adapt to new laws, new policies, new scenarios, new situations on a constant basis. There is no guide to reference what successful people of the past have done. Many of the people now will be the ones to author those books. Many of us are working two and three jobs to turn these dreams of having careers in the Cannabis Industry into manifestation. A lot of people getting started in the industry do not have endless supplies of cash. We are forced to be resourceful and to be creative to make things happen. This is exciting because we have the opportunity to blaze new trails and innovate the industry.
2. The Cannabis Industry lacks professionals.
   • Sometimes when I tell people that I work in the Cannabis Industry, I can see the surprise in their eyes. Mentally, they pictured a dread headed, tattooed Millennial standing behind a counter. Their preconceived notion fooled them. Do not let the appearance fool you. Most of us have a wide variety of product knowledge and legitimately care about the customer and the product. Some have been working in this industry for years and take it very seriously. Others like myself relatively new to the Cannabis Industry and offer diverse backgrounds and skillsets. Before I began working in the Cannabis Industry, I got my Masters of Science in Organizational Development and worked as a Change Management Consultant. I was working with Fortune 500 companies in very strict, conservative environments. Now the environment I work in is less rigid, but I still carry myself in the same manner and transfer that professionalism to all the clients that I work with. I am grateful for this stereotype because it pushes me personally to be the best possible version of myself in this field.
3. What is there to do in the Cannabis Industry besides deal with Marijuana?
   • There are many facets to the cannabis industry. What people fail to realize about the Cannabis Industry is that there is more to it than strictly Cannabis. Obviously you have the cultivators, the trimmers and the budtenders that deal directly with Cannabis. There are also lab jobs that have been created to test the quality of the flower. There are also extractors that make the oils and concentrates. On the flip side, there are also the ancillary businesses that have stemmed from the blossoming Cannabis Industry. Software developers are making new customer relationship management tools to enhance the user experience between vendor and consumers. There have been jobs created in areas around compliance and regulation. Security to transport money and secure the dispensaries is an entirely different side of the industry. There are media and event companies that specialize in hosting Cannabis related events for people within the industry. Cannabis staffing companies ensure each facility is properly staffed. Manufacturing is an integral part of the Cannabis Industry as well. These innovators are creating the cool new rigs and vape pens in which Cannabis users consume marijuana. Each facet aforementioned plays a unique role in advancing the industry, one step at a time.