The cannabis industry is growing at an alarming rate. In 2021, there were more cannabis employees than hairstylists, barbers, and cosmetologists combined in the United States.

If you’ve ever considered getting a job in the industry, now is the time. There are plenty of entry-level jobs that don’t require a lot of experience, like budtenders and trimmers. Once you’re in, consider yourself lucky because there’s ample room for growth.

On a more personal note, I’ve only worked in the industry for just under two years, and the perks are wild. I’m a firm believer in finding work you enjoy. If you like weed, you’ll likely love your job in the industry. Eager to know why? Here are the perks of working in cannabis.

You might think you know everything about cannabis, but think again. I personally had no idea how much information there was about this special plant until I started working in the industry.

By immersing yourself in a job related to cannabis, you’ll be the most informed cannabis user in your friend group. You’ll know all the details about the plant and its compounds, the best products on the market, and the duds.

You know what they say; knowledge is power. By deepening your knowledge of cannabis, you’ll not only have a better time using it but so will those around you.

Who doesn’t love free stuff? By working in the cannabis industry (depending on where you’re working and what you’re doing), you might have access to tons of free products. If you’re taking a role like a brand ambassador or something promotional, brands will feel inclined to send you their products so you can promote them.

That’s not all. Whatever you’re doing in the industry, chances are, you’ll have access to some pretty sweet deals and discounts. Some companies and brands offer their employees a special discount on their products, meaning you’ll never have to pay full price for those goods ag

Most individuals working in the cannabis industry are here for one reason: they love weed and want to be around it. Even if they’re not physically around the plants but work on the marketing side of things, these workers adore the entire culture and take pride in working in it every day.

What does that mean for networking? Well, it’s effortless. You all have something in common, and that’s your love for weed. Using this common denominator lets you easily spark a conversation with like-minded professionals and experts who could potentially bring more opportunities to your career. Whether that’s a job opportunity or a potential brand collaboration, networking in the cannabis industry is effortless.

By working in the cannabis industry, you’re doing your part in reducing the stigma associated with weed and its users. Cannabis users have a negative stereotype associated with them, involving laziness, a lack of ambition, and a “let’s heal the world, man” mentality. You can change that.

Working in the industry brings vast knowledge about the plant and how the weed world works. By teaching others your knowledge and proving that you’re a cannabis user who’s hard at work doing something you love, you can reduce the stigma associated with cannabis users and shift the perspective.

Cannabis is a unique industry. Once you have at least one year of experience working for something cannabis related, finding a new job in the industry is a breeze.

Most jobs in cannabis require experience and knowledge of the plant. Shimmy your way into an entry-level position, and work your way up. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next CEO of your favorite brand. The options are endless, and by getting your foot in the door, more opportunities will come knocking.