Preparing for a career in Michigan Cannabis: What do dispensaries look for in a new hire? MALLORY DWORTZ FOR MICHIGAN GREEN STATE Michigan dispensaries are some of the many in-state companies looking to take on new employees. A thriving and rapidly growing section of Michigan business, the cannabis industry seems to be as starving for staff as our other service-focused establishments. One study found that one in five Michiganders used cannabis in 2020, a figure that points to a clear demand for a robust weed workforce. But—in this highly-regulated realm of marijuana—is claiming one of these open entry-level positions a tall order for the everyday applicant? We’ve taken a dive into Michigan Cannabis job postings, gathering insight into what these growers and store fronts are looking for in their next budtender, sales associate, and customer service rep. In a survey of 10 mitten state marijuana positions, there
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are several obvious factors at play. A background check, minimum age of 21, and interest in keeping up with state cannabis laws are three common denominators for nearly every job available. Customer service is also at the forefront of many of these open positions, highlighting the importance of a friendly, outgoing applicant with the ability to stand for the occasional long period of time. So far, if you’re a smiley adult marijuana enthusiast (without any felonies on your record), you’re the perfect fit for any Michigan Cannabis position. To add another popular bullet point, education can also play a factor. Seven out of ten job postings referenced for this article list a high school diploma or GED as a requirement for hire—all of which are sales floor/budtender options; although, not every customer-facing position emphasizes education as a must (see Mount Pleasant’s High Life Farms). Money handling skills are frequently mentioned as a bonus
for certain sales positions, and the ability to roll up your sleeves and do some heavy lifting is expected for many an aspiring marijuana worker. “Have they worked at a dispensary before?” said the friendly voice at the other end of the Pharmhouse Wellness phone. I asked what their business initially looks for when reviewing applicants for hire. Grand Rapids’ only 100% locally owned and operated dispensary, this Michigan cannabis provisioning center certainly considers experience first. Of course, a brand new applicant with no background in marijuana is likely still qualified. “We look at customer service experience, have they worked in a high volume environment, do they have knowledge of strains or cannabis in general.” Regardless of your history with this industry—much like many other small businesses, large companies, restaurants, and more—experience is preferred or a plus, but not required. In the process of researching and
writing this article, six out of ten positions were removed from Indeed. Six openings were filled in a little over a week—indicating that those “urgently hiring” labels on job search platforms are in fact an honest representation of dispensaries’ intentions. Essentially, cannabis companies are in need of new staff members, and they’re willing to shape a budding employee in their own leafy green image, allowing for those of us with no official experience to break into this ever-growing realm of marijuana. So what should you, as a new applicant, do to prepare yourself for the world of Michigan Cannabis? Be able to pass a drug test (THC excluded), lean into your outgoing side, and have a passionate desire to learn. This is learning at its finest. These brands are looking for customer service employees with a knowledge of (or at least a desire to know) their products. From varying strains to the effects of different delivery systems, there is only
Winter 2022| MIGreenStat
