Last week, leaders in the marijuana industry gathered in Washington, D.C. to help women and minorities navigate the market and learn more about career opportunities becoming available in the marijuana industry.
They also hoped to encourage participants to network and build relationships.
Women Grow, a Denver-based business that works to increase opportunities for women in the marijuana industry, hosted the forum in partnership with the National Cannabis Festival, an annual D.C. music festival that focuses on music, education and marijuana advocacy.
With the advancement of big data, quality-assurance testing and cultivation methods, more career opportunities are becoming available in the marijuana industry in STEM-related fields.
A question-and-answer session helped guests prepare for jobs in the industry.
– A study published last year in the Marijuana Business Daily estimated the industry had between 165,000 and 230,000 full- and part-time workers.
– The industry could create more than 1 million jobs across the country if pot is legalized at the federal level, according to New Frontier Data, which supplies market analysis on the industry.
– For attendees thinking of transitioning to the cannabis industry, panelists urged them to apply existing job skills to new roles. A background in data, customer service, agriculture or retail could translate into jobs within the industry, organizers said.
Chanda Macias is the owner of D.C.-based National Holistic Healing Center and one of the participants in the discussion. “I met my core team [at Women Grow] and we all grew together, so we helped support each other. It’s important to network the room and get to know who is who.”
Giadha DeCarcer, chief executive of New Frontier Data, said those who want to build a marijuana-based business should become acquainted with those already in the industry and learn about laws and regulations.
“I know this is so cliche, but knowledge is power. It doesn’t matter what color you are, doesn’t matter how old you are, doesn’t matter what gender you are, you can acquire knowledge,” she said. “In this industry knowledge goes a long way.”
Quierra Wells, 29, said the event inspired her to learn more about the industry before she begins work in March at a dispensary in Maryland.
“This was me going out there and getting myself out there,” she said. “I’m already excited about what I want to do.”
credit:thelily.com
