The Future Of The Marijuana Industry Looks Brighter Than Areas Of The Economy
Getting a job is a hard thing to do these days. I graduated college in 2009, which is arguably the worst time to graduate college ever, so I know first hand. It took me a year to get a job after college, and even then it was the job I had before I ever took my first term. My story is far from unique. I’m sure a significant percentage of people reading this article right now are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up hope entirely. Economists are crafty so when they put out statistics, rarely do they tell the true story. What percentage of Americans are employed full time at a living wage? That’s the number I’d like to see.
When most people think about the marijuana industry, they think of either a medical marijuana dispensary, or a stoner bagging up eighths in their apartment. However, there is much more to the marijuana industry than marijuana sales. Probably the fastest growing (and arguably most profitable) area of the marijuana industry is in the technology sector. There are marijuana phone apps, Facebook games, software, websites, etc., and it seems like something new is popping up everyday. Chances are if an area of technology hasn’t been touched by the marijuana industry, it’s only a matter of time before a ‘potpreneur’ fills the void. Unlike marijuana sales, which are a grey area at best in select areas of America, marijuana technology is completely legal.
Marijuana is a very popular topic, and as it becomes more and more accepted in society, the legitimate marijuana industry will continue to grow. As a recent college graduate, I have researched which sectors of the economy are going to do the best going forward. It almost always comes back to the medical field, which is extremely competitive. Yes the medical field is always hiring, but for every one job opening there are an endless supply of over qualified candidates. Just to get into medical school you have to practically ruin the people around you to get noticed.
The public sector is in even worse shape than the private sector. When people do their governmental budgeting math, it’s clear that budget cuts are going to continue for years down the road, possibly a decade. The possibility of getting laid off is a constant fear, and the possibility of moving up the ladder is virtually impossible now. There is only one area of the American economy that is expanding, and that is the marijuana industry. Not only is it expanding, it’s expanding exponentially.
Just look at how many companies that are being created to buy other marijuana related companies. It seems like every day I look on Google news there’s a new company, product, or service out there trying to get a piece of the marijuana industry pie. Can you blame them? When you look at every other area of the economy, you want to throw up. But when you look at the marijuana industry, all you can say is, ‘the sky is the limit.’
About a month ago Ninjasmoker and I quit our jobs to try to pursue careers in the marijuana industry. Unfortunately, we are surviving on bologna sandwiches right now, but the future looks bright! We are in contact every day with people that are looking for bright, talented people to work in the marijuana industry. With legalization already on the Colorado and Washington ballots, and more states likely to join (including Oregon!), there could be an even larger demand for labor.
If you are looking to work in the marijuana industry, some of the best places to look are THC jobs, Canna Jobs, and Pot Work. Marijuana organizations are another good place to start, although they usually require people with little or no experience to volunteer first and work their way up. That is tough, because I know I never wanted to volunteer for a marijuana organization for fear that my work would find out and then I’d have no job at all! But if you have the ability to volunteer for awhile, it usually leads to good things.
The definition of the ‘American Dream’ has changed a lot in recent years. Most hardworking Americans have lowered their expectations, and no longer get excited about their career prospects. People in the marijuana industry have opposite mind sets. They look to the future filled with excitement and chances to live their dreams. I hope I can someday look back on a multi-decade marijuana industry career, and say that I was there in the beginning. That’s something that I can’t day dream about in any other industry.
What do TWB readers think? Are you someone that wants to work in the marijuana industry? Have you just thought about it, but haven’t looked into it? Are you someone that has looked into it, but is on the fence about it? If so, what are your reservations? If you are someone that has just recently took the leap of faith, what are your thoughts? What about people that have been at it for awhile, is it what you expected? What advice would you have to those that are just starting down the path? Please post comments so that others can benefit from your knowledge.
