So You Want to Work in Cannabis? Read This First.
- Max Jackson
- Jun 15
- 5 min read
The cannabis industry isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re considering stepping into the space, you’ve probably encountered a mix of enthusiasm and stark warnings. Low wages, inexperienced corporate owners, and cutthroat competition. The skepticism isn’t unfounded, but that doesn’t mean opportunity doesn’t exist. It just means you need to approach this industry with strategy, patience, and an understanding of what you’re getting into.
The Industry Needs People Who Care
A common complaint from industry veterans is that cannabis is increasingly run by money rather than passion. Many large-scale operations are owned by investors who don’t smoke, don’t understand the plant, and don’t care about quality the way legacy growers do. This has created workplaces where those who truly love the plant often feel disconnected from the decision-makers.
So why enter an industry where the odds seem stacked against you? Because we need more people who care. We need people who understand both the plant and the business, who can bridge the gap between the financial interests and the art/science of cultivation. If you’re serious about cannabis, your passion and expertise can be an asset in ways that many in the space overlook.
Educate Yourself
Before diving in, start by becoming a sponge. The more you know, the more valuable you become. There are great resources out there that provide insight into commercial cultivation, business strategy, and the science behind growing:
Podcasts:
A go-to podcast for growers of all experience levels, GrowCast covers everything from organic cultivation techniques to commercial facility insights. With expert guests ranging from breeders to industry consultants, this podcast dives into best practices, common mistakes, and cutting-edge techniques to improve yields and plant health. A great resource for growers looking to level up their skills.
Hosted by Shango Los, Shaping Fire explores the deeper science and business of cannabis. It covers everything from regenerative farming practices to terpene research and industry trends. If you’re serious about understanding not just how to grow but how cannabis interacts with human health and the marketplace, this podcast is a must-listen.
A podcast by growers, for growers. “We The Growers” brings in experienced cultivators, consultants, and industry professionals to discuss real-world problems and solutions in commercial cultivation. From environmental control to irrigation strategies, this podcast is perfect for those looking to gain insights from professionals who have spent years in the trenches.
Hosted by soil scientist Tad Hussey, this podcast focuses on evidence-based cannabis cultivation. It covers topics like soil biology, nutrient management, and integrated pest control, featuring interviews with researchers, growers, and industry experts. If you want to cut through misinformation and get science-backed growing advice, this is the podcast for you.
Video Content:
(Yes, it’s basically an ad for Growershouse, but if you look past that, it provides a detailed look at commercial facilities and their processes.)
A raw, unfiltered podcast that dives into the culture and hustle behind the cannabis industry. Less about SOPs and more about the mindset of surviving and thriving in a rapidly shifting landscape. Great for understanding the emotional and business side of the scene, especially from the perspective of legacy operators trying to navigate the legal world.
A widely respected platform offering long-form interviews, cultivation deep dives, and open discussions on everything from regenerative farming to policy and post-harvest tech. With multiple YouTube channels and playlists (FCP01, FCP02, etc.), it’s one of the most accessible ways to hear from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the space, without the corporate filter.
(Full disclosure: I’ve been featured on FCP myself, which speaks to their openness to real, field-driven perspectives.)
The key is to understand not just how to grow, but how commercial cultivation differs from home or small-scale growing. This is an industry that increasingly relies on automation, data analytics, and environmental control to maintain consistency and efficiency.
Commercial Growing is More Than Just Watering Plants
One of the biggest misconceptions about entering the cannabis industry is that
cultivation is simply about growing plants. In a commercial setting, it’s much more than that. Large-scale grows rely on automation, sensors, and data analytics to maintain consistency and efficiency.
If you're someone who can work with these systems, you'll be far more valuable than someone who just knows how to grow by feel. Think of analyzing sensor data, optimizing irrigation schedules, and troubleshooting environmental controls.
Understanding how technology integrates with cultivation is a massive advantage. Today’s commercial grow facilities require expertise in areas like:
• Irrigation and fertigation automation: Setting up and managing drip systems, fertigation schedules, and moisture sensors.
• Environmental control systems: Working with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Dehumidification) to maintain optimal growing conditions.
• Data analysis: Using tools to track plant health, optimize yields, and reduce operational inefficiencies.
The most successful people in modern cannabis are often those who can honor the plant while embracing the tools that make large-scale operations run smoothly.
The Corporate Reality (And the Opportunity)
Many of the frustrations about working in cannabis come down to who owns the businesses. The large, multi-state operators (MSOs) and corporate-backed facilities are often run by investors with little understanding of the plant. This creates friction when those making decisions prioritize profit over quality, or when they don’t listen to the growers who understand cultivation.
But this challenge also represents an opportunity. If you learn how to bridge the gap between financial decision-makers and cultivation teams, you become invaluable. The ability to communicate data-backed cultivation insights to executives who don’t have a grower’s background is a skill that is in short supply.
If you can position yourself as someone who translates cultivation needs into business terms, you become far more valuable. Helping ownership understand why certain investments matter, or how operational changes improve profitability, sets you apart from someone who only focuses on growing.
Looking Beyond Cultivation: The Smartest Entry Point
Most people think of cultivation as the main way to enter the cannabis industry, but ancillary services often provide higher pay, more stability, and lower risk. These are the “picks and shovels” of the industry. These are the businesses that don’t touch the plant, but provide essential services and products to cultivators and dispensaries.
Examples of high-value ancillary roles include:
• Automation and system integration specialists: Setting up irrigation, lighting, and environmental control systems.
• Compliance: Helping businesses navigate state regulations.
• Data analysts: Optimizing yield and efficiency by interpreting cultivation data.
• Equipment suppliers and technicians: Selling and servicing grow equipment.
• Software developers: Creating or implementing seed-to-sale tracking systems.
The more directly you interact with the plant, the higher the risk and lower the pay tends to be. At least in entry-level roles. Cultivation jobs often pay less than people expect, while supporting roles can be more lucrative and sustainable.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get Into the Cannabis Industry?
If your goal is to get rich quickly, this isn’t the industry for you. Cannabis businesses are struggling with market oversaturation, regulatory hurdles, and corporate inefficiencies. It’s not the gold rush that many people imagined.
However, if you truly care about the plant, understand the challenges, and are willing to carve out a niche in an industry that still lacks experienced professionals, there are real opportunities. The key is strategic entry—positioning yourself where you’re most valuable, whether that’s in cultivation, automation, compliance, or another supporting role.
The industry doesn’t just need more workers, it needs more people who care. If that’s you, there’s a place for you here.
Got questions about working in cannabis, or want help figuring out where your skills fit? I’m always down to talk shop with people who care about the plant and want to do it right.
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