Published July 8, 2021

Pot Culture: Industry Basics You Need to Know

We’re going to exhale a few pot puns before we ask you to inhale some facts.

 

The cannabis industry is about to come into full bloom. Seeds of change have been planted deep in our culture. In fact, one could say that the business of bud is rooted and ripe for growth.

 

Can we see even higher profits? Yes, we cannabis! That’s why we’d encourage those of you looking to join our budding industry to familiarize yourself with different strains of knowledge, flowery facts, tokable tips, and the legal status of sticky-icky-icky in each state. So, read on to make sure you’re up to date with the latest in pot culture.

 

The United State of Cannabis in America

It’s clear that 420 has expanded quite a  bit recently. In fact, in 2020, five states had some form of marijuana legalization on the ballot. All of those measures passed, giving the U.S. a  total of 15 states that have voted to fully legalize adult marijuana use and over  35 states that have voted to legalize marijuana for medical use. And yet,  marijuana remains a Schedule 1 substance at the federal level.

 

​Want to know where sparking it up is totally cool? Check out this resource with state-by-state medical and recreational cannabis designations. For a quick overview, the map below shows the status of bud across the country.

 

 Weed-Map-2023

source: Rollingstone

 

Cannabis and Medicine

And what about the medical marijuana biz? Cannabis is used around the world to address various medical issues related to everything from chronic pain and depression to sleep problems and cancer prevention. While the industry is poised for growth, it is also complex, with many players and considerations.  Learn more about this growing industry.

 

Weed racer: a budding billion dollar business ...

 

“According to Statista, between 2018 and 2025, the U.S. market for legal marijuana  could grow by a whopping 122.5 percent to become worth more than $24 billion.  That could result in the legal cannabis sector supporting the employment of  more people than America's manufacturing industry.”

 

... that’s growing in value one market at a time.

 

“The market value of the  U.S. cannabis industry is projected to reach $30 billion annually by 2025, according to industry research group New Frontier Data. This  projection comes at a time when cannabis remains federally illegal despite the  legalization of medical marijuana by33 states and Washington, D.C., and the  legalization of adult-use cannabis (sometimes called recreational use) programs  by 11 states and Washington, D.C.”

 

​The Legal Status & Sale of Cannabis in 2021

  • In 2020, South Dakota became the first state to legalize both medical and recreational use at the same time. (Good news considering pot’s previous status in the state.)
  • 1 in 3 Americans live in a state where marijuana is legal.
  • Look out for the law if you live in Louisiana, as its pot punishments are considered to be among the harshest in the country.
  • The cannabis industry is expected to experience a 20% annual growth rate in 2021, leading to an estimated 46.6 billion in sales within six years.
  • California and Colorado make up about 50% of all medical and recreational cannabis sales in the U.S.

Come for the Cannabis, Stay for the Job

According to MJBizdaily.com, the cannabis job market is accelerating and shows no signs of slowing. The publication reports that the “marijuana industry will employ 340,000-415,000 full-time equivalent workers across the United States in 2021 and grow to 545,000-600,000 by 2025.”

 

Keep in mind that jobs are plentiful in all sectors, including cultivation & manufacturing, finance & accounting, operations, legal, sales, marketing, and human resources. Opportunities are available with companies of all sizes, from large corporations and established mid-size or small companies to budding start-ups. What’s more, while cannabis industry knowledge is always a plus, it’s not always necessary for a range of roles.

 

​So simply said, as the cannabis industry expands, employment opportunities within it will continue to grow. It’s an exciting time to enter the business, learn about the business, or simply enjoy the benefits of the business. There are bright times ahead for all of us who care about and are invested in the bud industry.

 

If you want to know more about jobs in the cannabis field, contact us. Our recruiting specialists would be glad to talk with you about some of the “smoking” opportunities available today!