About the Book
Cannabis Careers: The Insider's Guide to a Budding Industry is a comprehensive resource for individuals interested in entering the rapidly growing cannabis industry. This book provides an accessible introduction to key cannabis topics, including history and culture, to equip readers with essential knowledge.
The cannabis industry is expanding rapidly in the U.S., with medical cannabis legal in 38 states and adult-use cannabis in 24 states. Public support for legalization is at an all-time high, and national legalization appears imminent. This burgeoning industry has already created over 400,000 full-time jobs, with projections valuing the industry at $72 billion by 2030. Beyond direct industry jobs, numerous ancillary positions are available in fields such as web design, consulting, accounting, real estate, and law, often outnumbering direct cannabis jobs.
Cannabis Careers is structured around five vital touchpoints:
Cannabis Basics: Essential terms, definitions, and history provide a foundation for understanding the industry.State of the Union: Coverage of the cannabis and hemp industries, the legalization movement, and future prospects.Career Pivot: Guidance on leveraging current skills to transition into the cannabis industry, including researching and finding job opportunities.Employment Opportunities: An exploration of various careers, both plant-touching (e.g., budtenders, growers) and ancillary (e.g., marketing, legal services), with insights from industry leaders.Career Resources: Practical tools including sample job descriptions, job search websites, resume and cover letter samples, and interview tips.The book addresses the challenges of entering the cannabis industry, such as legal complexities and lingering stigma, and provides strategies to overcome these barriers. It includes chapters on health and medical careers, education roles, nonprofit and government positions, and even unique opportunities in hospitality and tourism. Cannabis Careers serves as a practical guide for those looking to join this dynamic field, offering a blend of industry insight, practical advice, and resources to help readers successfully navigate and thrive in the cannabis industry.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Cannabis Essentials and the State of the Union
Chapter 2: Cannabis Science
Chapter 3: A Few Words about Hemp and CBD
Chapter 4: The Cannabis Industry Pivot
Chapter 5: Cannabis Handling Careers
Chapter 6: Ancillary Cannabis Businesses
Chapter 7: The Cannabis Industry's Expanding Horizons
Chapter 8: Cannabis Career Resources
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors
About the Author :
Rob Mejia is an award-winning adjunct cannabis professor at Stockton University. He helped launch CHRIS, the Cannabis & Hemp Research Initiative at Stockton and is president of Our Community Harvest: A Cannabis Education Company, which creates cannabis educational materials including online courses. Meija is one of New Jersey’s most sought after cannabis and hemp speakers and presenters, and his cannabis authorship includes The Essential Cannabis Book: A Field Guide for the Curious and The Essential Cannabis Journal: Personal Notes from the Field. Meija resides in Mahwah, New Jersey.
Daniel Johnson is a writer and teacher living in Winooski, Vermont. He teaches English and Creative Writing classes at Saint Michael’s College and Community College of Vermont and publishes prose, poetry, and literary criticism in a variety of journals and magazines.
Review :
The more informed the workforce in the new cannabis industry, the safer and more helpful it will be for medical patients as well as adult users. I applaud this comprehensive resource directed at educating the future cannabis workforce so they have the tools they need to thrive.
For nearly a century, most cannabis information has been clouded by propaganda and misinformation. As cannabis gains acceptance and legalization, this book offers an invaluable guide to the industry, grounded in real-world experience and insight.
Cannabis Careers: The Insider's Guide to a Budding Industry offers cannabis enthusiasts and professionals an eye-opening road map to a successful and robust career in the industry. Professor Mejia breaks down the industry so an individual may find their place within the budding industry.
Rob Mejia's Cannabis Careers: The Insider's Guide to a Budding Industry is the perfect resource for anyone curious about jumping into the exciting world of cannabis. Rob breaks down the essentials---from industry basics and key roles to how your existing skills can translate, making this guide approachable and actionable for readers at any stage of their journey. What makes this book stand out is the heart behind it. Rob Mejia has always been someone I could count on to support community, advance cannabis in academia, and make it his mission to help others find their path. As one of the pioneers making history in his role as a professor of Cannabis Studies at Stockton University, Rob brings unmatched expertise and perspective to this booming industry. This book is practical, inspiring, and packed with insider wisdom. Whether you're new to the industry or looking to level up, this is your go-to guide.
If you're thinking of entering the fast-moving cannabis industry, this book should be your first stop. It offers wise advice and a 360-degree view of one of America's most quickly evolving and exciting business opportunities, and it's only just getting started.
There is no better expert I have met in my time in the cannabis industry than Rob Mejia. He is a true leader in cannabis education and the knowledge he shares here is invaluable.
Professor Rob Mejia provides a clear, concise, current, yet comprehensive view of our cannabis industry. Written by 'the source and master' of cannabis education and employment, his new book will ignite cannabis careers everywhere. It shares cannabis basics, key points, and job roles across our fast-growing industry. Mejia covers the important steps, providing essential how-to guidance and many tips for job seekers in the cannabis space.
This book is the guide to starting a career in the ever-evolving cannabis industry that everyone wishes they had at the beginning of their cannabis journey. It's more than just career advice---it's a roadmap to protecting plant medicine, advancing progress, and championing advocacy efforts to erase the stigma. With its approachable style and comprehensive insight, it answers the perennial question, 'How can I get involved in cannabis?' and inspires action for the industry's next wave of changemakers.
Rob Mejia's Cannabis Careers is more than a guide---it's a call to action. With respect and care, Mejia uplifts the narratives of Indigenous plant knowledge and highlights the vital role of Tribal nations in shaping the future of the cannabis industry. His dedication to honoring the historical and cultural significance of this plant, while empowering diverse voices in the field, is truly inspiring. This book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the profound intersections of cannabis, culture, and community and the future of workforce development. Mejia's work is a bridge to meaningful dialogue and equitable opportunities.
