More than 400,000 jobs are supported by the legal cannabis industry, according to a 2023 report conducted by the cannabis job platform Vangst.

The metrics of jobs within the cannabis industry are complicated to track. Because cannabis is still illegal at a federal level, the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics are barred from counting legal cannabis jobs.

In 2017, the cannabis company Leafly began conducting annual data regarding jobs within the industry, eventually partnering with Whitney Economics up until 2022.

This year, the jobs report was conducted by Vangst, alongside Bruce Barcott and economist Beau Whitney.

This report includes jobs at retail and cultivation levels, a total that amounts to 417,493 full-time equivalent jobs as of April — a 2% decrease from the previous year.

According to Vangst, this is the first time that cannabis-related employment has declined since 2012, when the legalization of cannabis began. But why?

“Over the past year, America’s regulated cannabis industry faced economic headwinds that tested the resilience of every company in the cannabis space,” the report read.

“A confluence of factors — global inflation, rising interest rates, cooling investor enthusiasm, depressed wholesale cannabis prices, and a shift in post-pandemic consumer demand — challenged the legal industry’s unrelenting growth. In the past six months, staff reductions have hit nearly every major brand in cannabis. After enjoying an unusual revenue lift during the COVID years, the industry absorbed a decline in demand as the pandemic receded. Millions of American adults, stressed and stuck at home, turned to cannabis for relief and enjoyment.”

The pandemic’s early moments held a notable influence on the cannabis market and job industry.

“During 2020 and 2021, nationwide sales saw a 20% bounce over what might be considered ‘natural’ growth. The cannabis industry, like other essential stay-at-home sectors (think Netflix, Amazon, Uber Eats, Zoom) staffed up to meet the sudden demand. When the pandemic began to recede in 2022, cannabis demand returned to pre-pandemic levels. That left many companies with staffing levels incompatible with the new return-to-normalcy environment,” the report noted.

Recreational cannabis sales in Arizona began in 2021. According to data from Leafly, 2600 jobs were added during this year, creating a total of 21,596 jobs within the legal cannabis industry as of 2023. However, according to data from Vangst, this is a 7% decrease from the previous year, amounting to a total loss of 1,737 jobs.

While jobs within the industry ebb and flow, cannabis sales remain consistent nationwide. According to the report, annual cannabis sales increased by 3%, climbing from $25.25 billion in 2021 to $26.1 billion in 2022. About 77% of total sales were made up of adult-use purchases.

Changes in employment are also related to the shifts in cannabis legalization across the country.

States with mature cannabis markets, including Colorado and California, saw substantial losses in employment, while new markets such as Michigan and Missouri experienced a considerable boost in cannabis-related jobs.

This data unearths a double-edged sword of sorts. While fresh markets experience robust growth within the cannabis industry, older markets face new hurdles.

What’s next?

Vangst is still optimistic. While the cannabis industry faced significant drawbacks in 2022, cannabis companies were able to readjust their business practices. Whitney Economics foresees cannabis sales to grow by 11.8%.

The full report can be accessed online, at www.vangst.com/reports/2023-jobs-report.

4 replies on “Legal cannabis job market facing new hurdles”

  1. I get paid more than $140 to $170 per hour for working online. I heard about this job 3 months ago and after joining this I have earned easily $25k from this without having online working skills . Simply give it a shot on the accompanying site…
    Here is I started.…………>> 𝗪𝘄𝘄.𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗽𝗮𝘆𝟭.𝗰𝗼𝗺

  2. I WAS ABLE TO RESTORE ALL OF MY LOST CRYPTOCURRENCY/BTC WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF iBOLT CYBER HACKER.

    Good day everyone, i’m Leah Salvatore, Vice Dean For Academic Affairs at Temple University.
    Only a small number of experienced hackers has the specific hacking skills and expertise required to recover lost Bitcoin. Although there are several recovery websites, it is critical to exercise caution because the bulk of them are managed by scammers. Finding a trustworthy hacker, such as iBolt Cyber Hacker is preferred. A first-rate hacking team that can assist you in recovering your misplaced cryptocurrency. An organization that has brought many people delight. I lost a lot of money because of bitcoin mining, but iBolt Cyber Hacker was able to recover it all. I am quite appreciative for this.

    Contact Info:
    Emai: ibolt @ cyber – wizard . com
    Whtsp: +3.9.3.5.0.9.2.9.0.5.5.4.

  3. HAVE YOU LOST ANY CRYPTO/BTC TO ANY ONLINE SERVICE? WELL, IN iBOLT CYBER HACKER, YOU HAVE FOUND REDEMPTION.
    Emai: ibolt @ cyber – wizard . com
    Whtsp: +3.9.3.5.0.9.2.9.0.5.5.4.

    My name is Ralph Zachary, and I work on the Venture team in the origination analysis.
    The rate at which theft is occurring in the current millennium is alarming. However, the public is not totally at fault. These people have been running this dark company for a long time and will make it all look so gleaming. The loss of a significant quantity of Bitcoin was distressing. It felt as if my hard-earned fortune had evaporated into thin air, leaving a gap in both my finance and my spirit. In my darkest hours, I sought assistance from iBolt Cyber Hacker and their outstanding employees. Their dedication to my case was clear from the start. They listened intently, absorbing each and every detail of my predicament. They designed a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, leaving no stone unturned, using their enormous experience and outstanding attention to detail. Their empathy, patience, and clarity throughout the process were essential in returning all of my lost crypto. I’m so happy and full of life now, and I owe it all to God and iBolt Cyber Hacker.
    Emai: ibolt @ cyber – wizard . com

  4. For Hire: The Benefits of Hiring iBolt Cyber Hacker for Crypto/BTC Recovery

    In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies, safeguarding your digital assets is crucial. Unfortunately, instances of cybercrimes and hacking attempts have become increasingly common. To ensure the security of your investments, seeking professional assistance is essential. One such reliable option is iBolt Cyber Hacker, an expert team dedicated to helping individuals recover their lost or stolen crypto assets.

    iBolt Cyber Hacker stays at the forefront of technological advancements in blockchain security and crypto recovery. Leveraging state-of-the-art tools and techniques, they employ advanced software systems and methodologies to trace, locate, and potentially recover your lost or stolen crypto assets. Their up-to-date knowledge ensures they can handle the most intricate scenarios, even in the face of sophisticated hacking attempts.

    One of the defining factors behind iBolt Cyber Hacker’s success is their strong track record of successful recoveries. Numerous satisfied clients have attested to their professionalism, reliability, and trustworthiness. By putting the client’s best interests at the forefront, they have built a reputation as a dependable partner on the journey to recovering lost or stolen crypto assets.

    Contact Info:
    Email: ibolt@cyber-wizard.com
    WhatsApp: +3.9.3.5.0.9.2.9.0.5.5.4.
    Website: https://iboltcyberhacker.wixsite.com/ibolt-cyber-hacker-b

Comments are closed.