Seniors in search of new career or part-time employment in retirement may want to look toward the cannabis industry. The industry has already created over 200,000 full-time jobs in the U.S. with more to come as additional states legalize medical and recreational marijuana.
To help, here are some tips from Liesl Bernard, CEO and President for CannabizTeam, on how to pursue a job in the cannabis industry. As the chief executive of a search and staffing firm serving the industry, Bernard has observed that a lack of experience is not an insurmountable obstacle in this new business.
For starters, a degree or experience in cultivation of any kind can be a plus. Bernard says those with such experience will find many employers eager to retrain them. She also notes that many top universities, as well as specialized continuing education programs, have begun offering classes and degrees in the cannabis industry. She sites The Medical Cannabis Institute as one example.
Bernard also believes those with a background in regulatory and compliance positions will often find they can transfer their skills to the cannabis companies that are seeking data scientists, machine-learning engineers, and experts in computer networking. In addition, she says that those who have encountered age-related barriers in the past will find that it’s not the case in the cannabis industry. She thinks experience is generally welcome and those with gray hair should apply.
Given that cannabis is a fast-growing industry, companies are in constant need of accountants, controllers and CFOs to help them manage cash flows and pursue expansion opportunities, as well as individuals experienced in manufacturing and operations, not to mention sales and marketing pros.
Lastly, Bernard offers these tips to those seeking a position in the industry:
1. Get educated, and stay educated. Take courses and read the content being published by leaders in the industry.
2. Leverage your experience to reinvent yourself in a growing industry. Polish your resumé to feature the most needed and most transferable skills.
3. Leverage job boards and don’t forget to network. There are many job boards where cannabis companies are looking for talent, and even some that are exclusively focused on just that industry.
To learn more, read Liesl Bernard’s article, “These Are the Skills That Will Get You a Job In the Cannabis Industry” in the July 12, 2019 issue of Green Entrepreneur.
Spotlight on Medical Marijuana
Advocates who believe that medical marijuana can do more than help patients manage pain, take note. The State of Pennsylvania, which already had approved treating 21 conditions with medical cannabis, has added two more.
According to Aris Folley, writing in The Hill, Pennsylvania’s State Department of Health announced on Thursday, July 11, 2019 that anxiety disorders and Tourette’s syndrome will be added to the list of “serious medical conditions” that are included in the state’s medical marijuana program.
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the additions to the list were based on a recommendation from the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, as well as research on marijuana treatment with both conditions.
It’s important to note that, according to Levine, medical marijuana is not the first line treatment for either condition and should not replace traditional therapies but should be used in conjunction with them, when recommended by a physician.
The Health Department takes the position that medical marijuana is not recommended to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, as their brains are still developing. Levine also cautioned pregnant women diagnosed with either of the conditions against the use of the drug given its unknown impact on fetuses.
It’s estimated by the state’s Department of Health that there are roughly 111,000 active patients who have received certifications under the State’s medical marijuana program. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that anxiety disorders and Tourette’s syndrome will be added to the program’s list of 21 medical conditions on July 21, 2019.
For more information, you can read Folley’s article in the July 12, 2019 issue of The Hill.
Marijuana and Business Opportunities
The late Senator Daniel Patrick Monahan liked to point out that correlation should not be confused with causation. Be that as it may, the folks at Axios have reported an interesting correlation between the legal sale of cannabis products and sales in the snack industry.
Axios notes that new data from market research firm Nielsen shows states that have legalized have also seen a notable pick-up in the consumption of what Nielsen calls “munchies,” creating “big opportunities for the American food and beverage market—particularly for the snack and confectionery category.”
Nielsen also reports that edible hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) products, which include the cannabinoid compound found in marijuana with little to no THC, present a $6 billion opportunity for the food and beverage industry. This may prove to be a thornier opportunity given that the Food and Drug Administration at the federal level and several cities, such as New York City, are taking steps to regulate and prohibit the addition of CBDs to edible products. In fact, New York has recently started to implement a ban on such products.
To learn more about these salty and sweet opportunities, visit Dion Roubin’s article, “Legal marijuana looks to be boosting snack sales,” in the July 11, 2019 issue of Axios.
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at seniorcannabisdigest@gmail.com or by calling 347-528-8753.