How To Launch Your Career In The Cannabis Industry
April 25, 2025
Finding a job is always a challenge, especially in the current precarious economic climate. For those interested in exploring opportunities in the legal cannabis space, pounding the pavement can be a heady process. What to do?
Tips For Launching A Career In The Cannabis Industry
Recently, Kara Bradford, CEO and co-founder of Viridian Staffing, a U.S.-based cannabis recruitment firm, took a breather from her busy schedule to share what aspiring jobseekers need to know before entering the field. Among her insights are the importance of being adaptable and how the ever-changing industry can resemble the old “Wild West.”
This Q&A was edited for conciseness and clarity.
Iris Dorbian: What is considered the cannabis industry?
Kara Bradford: For starters, it’s not just about growing and selling the plant. While it certainly includes cultivation, extraction and retail operations, it also includes the manufacturing of an ever-expanding universe of infused products, as well as a host of specialized technology, hardware and service firms. The cannabis industry is more like an ecosystem. It mirrors traditional sectors like agriculture, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and biotech, but all rolled into one.
Dorbian: Why is this a desirable industry to be in?
Bradford: People are drawn to this industry for all kinds of reasons, but I think the biggest one is the chance to be part of building something from the ground up. We’re still in the relatively early stages of what will eventually be a massive legal industry, and that presents opportunities you just don’t find in more established sectors. There’s room to innovate, to lead, to wear multiple hats, and to make a real impact—not just in your job, but in shaping public policy. For those who come from more traditional backgrounds, the cannabis industry can feel like the Wild West—but for the right kind of personality, that’s exactly the appeal!
Dorbian: What are some tips for starting a successful career in cannabis?
Bradford: The best advice I can give is: Be teachable, curious, and adaptable. You don’t have to be a cannabis expert from day one, but you do need to have a genuine interest in the plant and the cause. From there, find your entry point. That might mean starting on the retail floor, working as a trimmer, or jumping into a corporate role if you have transferable skills from another industry—like marketing, finance, or operations. Networking and a positive attitude are absolutely key. This is still a close-knit industry and opportunities often come through relationships.
Dorbian: What kind of education, experience, or skills are needed to succeed?
Bradford: There’s no single path to success in cannabis. We see people thrive from all sorts of backgrounds. That said, certain skills do give you a leg up. If you’ve worked in highly regulated industries—like alcohol, pharma, or even banking—you’ll understand the importance of compliance and documentation, which is huge in cannabis. People with backgrounds in agriculture, science, sales, retail, logistics, or healthcare also bring valuable experience. Formal, accredited cannabis education programs are becoming more common, and while they’re not always required, they can certainly help.
Dorbian: What are the pros and cons of working in cannabis?
Bradford: This is a fast-moving, innovative industry full of passionate people. There’s real opportunity for growth and advancement, especially if you get in early with a company that scales. You get to be part of making history—bringing a previously stigmatized therapeutic into the mainstream. For the right kind of person, that’s incredibly rewarding.
With that said, the cannabis industry isn’t for the faint of heart. The regulatory landscape is constantly shifting. Continued federal prohibition means these companies have to shoulder higher taxes and bigger challenges than most, leading to job instability in many markets. Companies can grow quickly, but they can also contract just as fast. You have to be okay with uncertainty and willing to hustle.
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