The Seeds of STEM Take Root

Demand Grows for STEM Talent in the Evergreen State

Lush rainforests, towering mountains, and legal adult-use cannabis are just a few reasons to love Washington. But this state has more to offer than scenic beauty. It’s also carving out a niche as a national leader in STEM.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found Washington has the second highest concentration of STEM jobs in the country. It’s also fourth in the nation’s “New Economy” index for innovation and entrepreneurship as ranked by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. So what does this mean for cannabis? Ample opportunities for tech job seekers.

Many of the nation’s cannabis companies are built around STEM skills. Cascade Sciences, a pharmaceutical-grade processing equipment manufacturer, joined the cannabis space to meet the demand for science-based manufacturing solutions. The woman-owned business has been providing laboratory testing and processing solutions for 30 years.

“Cascade cut its teeth in STEM fields such as aerospace, pharmaceutical, technology, and academia. Those industries require sophisticated technology that can perform day-in-day-out and offer repeatability, which is why our vacuum ovens caught the attention of cannabis producers,” said Rebecca Allen-Tapp, director of business development for Cascade Sciences.

As an Oregon-based company, Cascade Sciences was geographically primed to meet the needs of the Washington adult-use market. When the recreational industry opened up, the company was able to help clients set up new labs and start optimizing their processes for the developing industry. It was a smart move. The state earned $172 million more from cannabis sales than liquor sales in 2019. Further, the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board reported a total of $395.5 million in legal cannabis revenue that year.

The industry’s growth will coincide with a boom in STEM jobs.

Washington state is already home to huge tech employers like Amazon and Microsoft. This can largely be attributed to The University of Washington computer science program, ranked sixth in the nation by U.S. News. It’s a region that understands the value of technical skills in creating a robust economy.

To continue its legacy as a “tech zone,” Washington’s universities are adding new areas of study. Western Washington University, for example, added four new certificate programs in 2021 focused on career preparation and skills development for the cannabis industry.

Allen-Tapp said this is one area where she’s most excited to see continued growth. “I would like to see the cannabis sector evolve to focus more on education, procedures, collaboration, and an emphasis on testing.” Those elements are vital to create a more transparent industry, and one that’s ultimately able to transition to federal legalization. When cannabis is legal on a national scale, states training their students to excel in STEM will have the advantage.

“There are many areas within the cannabis industry that having a background in STEM would be beneficial — and for processing or analytical environments it is nearly crucial,” said Allen-Tapp. ❖