Transitioning From Non-Cannabis to Cannabis: What You Need to Know

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Jun 27

Written By Christy Essex

So, you want to work in cannabis? My name is Christy Essex, CEO and Founder of Se7en Staffing & Employment Solutions and I am so excited to be back with Fat Nugs Magazine sharing more information and tips in this series on all things cannabis employment! There is a lot of “buzz” going on, especially when it comes to my topic today: people who are looking into transitioning to cannabis from non-cannabis fields. Fun fact, according to Leafly’s job report, “428,059 full-time equivalent jobs were supported in 2022.” Despite the documented hurdles involved in running a cannabis business that result in frequent turnover and mass layoffs, all current research and projections still suggest a dramatic increase in cannabis jobs in 2023.

For starters, I have knowledge to share based on my experience at various levels as an integral part of workforce solutions since 2014. My interests and initiatives in the cannabis sector began in 2013 initially, with watching and studying the legislative reforms, signature collecting, and self-education within the cannabis space. I then combined my cannabis knowledge with my current HR, operational leadership, and workforce skills to serve the cannabis workforce nationally. In addition, I am an avid activist and advocate for women, minorities, and veterans desiring to work in the cannabis sector.

We get questions everyday like: “Where do I start?” “Am I even qualified?” “What is it like?” If this sounds like you, then the first question I advise you to ask yourself is: “How can my current skill-sets contribute to a cannabis company?” Cannabis companies have needs, just like any other company in any other legal industry, needs for IT, HR, marketing, sales, management, laboratory, legal, compliance, and the list goes on. In the fastest growing industry in the nation, opportunities are popping up everywhere. If you already have a passion for the industry, strong soft skills and you combine them with your current skill set, you are well on your way to landing the cannabis job opportunity of your dreams!

Next, I recommend you self-educate and increase your cannabis knowledge. Spending time attending cannabis events, familiarizing yourself with dispensaries in your area, or researching thought leadership on the niche in the cannabis industry that peaks your interest most. It’s always helpful to understand the terminology, and seeking a mentor who already works in the space is a great way to learn that and so much more.

Take it from me, in my experience, cannabis companies all over are looking for three key components in an employee:

A passion for the plant, the industry, or both.
Defined current skill-sets combined with self-education.
Rock-solid soft skills.

I know what you’re thinking; soft skills? What are those?

Soft skills are vital to possess in this industry. As you might have heard, the cannabis industry is virtually moving at the speed of light right now in order to keep up with the movement and demand as the industry evolves in real time every single day. This makes things…stressful. Soft skills are your personal attributes and while more difficult to learn, remember that when times are lean employers will retain an employee who demonstrates a higher level of soft skills.

Another common question we get goes along the lines of “What does it look and feel like to actually work in cannabis?” Working in the cannabis space is exciting and fascinating, but it is still hard work! In my opinion, in order to be successful in the industry one must possess GRIT, resiliency, and be more than flexible with change. As I mentioned earlier, the industry is rapidly growing, pivoting, and in full acceleration mode; same goes for the realities of working in the industry. Yes, IT IS A “COOL” CAREER, yes it IS one that will never be stagnant nor boring, but the flipside of that coin is it IS VERY HARD WORK, and I can’t stress this enough. Everything changes ALL THE TIME. This is largely out of our control, as our nation is still destigmatizing cannabis, so to survive you will quickly learn to evolve around that challenge, one that you absolutely will experience. Don’t get me wrong - It is rewarding to have a career in cannabis, because being in cannabis is to be part of one of the biggest movements in our nation!

People who come to me looking for careers in cannabis can sometimes be intimidated by the requirements to work in the industry. This is also where a mentor or finding someone who is already working in the industry can be a huge help.

One of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford is “Whether you think you can-or think you can’t-you’re right!” I kept this quote by my desk as I set up to pivot into the cannabis space, myself. Now, here I am ten years later loving my decision to transition into the cannabis workforce.

So, if you are still wondering where to start, here are some recommendations:

Network, network, network. Network with other employees or leaders working in the space. You will gain a tremendous amount of knowledge, especially if you make valuable connections with other like-minded individuals along the way.
Begin educating yourself on cannabis terminology and self-educate on cannabis related topics pertaining to the type of career you are seeking in the industry.
Actively seek and research cannabis roles and companies in the area you are desiring to work for and connect on social media. LinkedIn is a great tool for example to make these connections, and gain some insight into industry conversations. Also, doing some research about the organization and company, understanding what part of the cannabis field they specialize in, always helps to position yourself as a more attractive candidate come interview time! Read about the company values and mission statement to help you decide if you might be a good fit for that company. If you believe you might be, then send the HR manager your resume directly. Most job postings have the job posters’ contact information attached, or it can sometimes be obtained on the company’s website. Make sure to send a follow up email in a few days to check the status of your application or resume submission as well as let the hiring team know of your keen interest in the position. Persistence can be key, but don’t go overboard!
Attend cannabis or industry related trade shows and events. This is a great way to meet people in the industry, including hiring managers or individuals who may be able to serve as a referral source for potential job opportunities.
Connecting with a cannabis staffing and recruitment firm such as mine is a great way to simplify the process by submitting one application and resume and gaining exposure to multiple cannabis job opportunities. This process can include career coaching, training, and resume assistance.

The process of transitioning from traditional non-cannabis careers into the cannabis industry may seem daunting, however there are more connections between the job you have now and your future career in cannabis than meets the eye.

As part of this cannabis employment series (you can read my previous article on women in canna-biz here), I look forward to diving deeper into the details of additional topics for Fat Nugs Magazine related to all things cannabis employment.

Have a topic idea or a question you’ve wanted to hear from a recruiter on? Let FNM know by connecting on LinkedIn or Instagram. Until next time, stay tuned and peace! ✌