Want to get a marijuana job in Michigan? Weedmaps offers some tips
Eric LacyLANSING — Michigan's medical marijuana industry appears to have plenty of potential.
Take it from Kelli Hykes, director of government relations for Weedmaps, a national company based in Orange County, California.
"If you want to do well in the future, when interstate commerce comes into play and even international commerce with Canada, you're setting yourself up for success if you operate in Michigan," Hykes said,
Weedmaps analyzes Michigan's market on its website and with mobile apps. It connects business owners and customers online with company reviews, product ratings and delivery services.
The State Journal caught up with Hykes to discuss Michigan's marijuana market trends and how its residents can position themselves to get good-paying jobs in he cannabis industry.
There's a lot of talk in Lansing about jobs like marijuana growers, processors, secure transporters and dispensary owners. What other jobs are out there people should know about?
I think the biggest boom in job creation will be outside of the licensed (marijuana business) operators because of all of the auxiliary businesses. Everything you need to set up a successful business, that's what you need to set up a cannabis business. Security companies, zoning attorneys, all kinds of attorneys, really. All of the plant materials, all of the people that set up the grows, the consultants that set up the design (of businesses and grow operations).
Those are the types of jobs that aren't generally captured when we're talking about job growth, but they absolutely are fueling the entire industry and are incredibly important.
What are some of the most overlooked jobs in this industry that may be available in Michigan and pay well?
People who design grow (operation) facilities. People who have an agricultural background. People who design the lighting (for grow facilities). People who install the lighting. People who do the build-outs for the grows and the retail shops. I think probably marketing is one of the most exciting fields; people who really hone in and specialize in cannabis marketing because it is so heavily regulated. They have a really important niche that they are able to sell.
What kinds of people are getting jobs in the marijuana field?
The nice thing about the cannabis industry is that there is really a place and opportunity for everybody. What we see at the entry level position are people who are doing a bit more on the manual labor side of things. Those are positions that are paying a living wage. Those are positions that don't necessarily require a high school diploma; you don't need to have a bachelor's degree. They are truly entry level positions for adults.
And you have jobs all the way up to the scientist, the biologist, the chemist; they are doing the lab testing. They are jobs that pay significantly higher wages — oftentimes in the six figures. So the span (of jobs) is really great.
A lot of people say 'Here's my background. How do I get into the cannabis industry?' They'll say 'I want to be a grower' or 'I want to be a provisioning center or dispensary owner.' It's really about what you do now and what you do well, and how you transfer that to the cannabis industry. You use that as your starting point. (For example) I can't grow anything but I can talk about public policy. So that's how I fit into this industry.
What's the best way for people to seek out these jobs?
I don't think there's one specific clearinghouse for cannabis jobs. Just like everyone in this job market, you kind of have to identify the organization you want to work for, make a connection, and make an impression. These jobs are incredibly desired, especially among entry level employees and young workers. You really do have to find the company that you're interested in and make a case for why you should be hired.
Most of the people I know that started in entry level positions at a cannabis company in Michigan basically found the owner on LinkedIn or the owner through an internet search. They provided their resume and showed them they were willing and able to hustle. And that they brought a level of professionalism that's above and beyond average. That's what's needed to get these coveted positions.
Are these companies, especially the big ones, finding it hard to deal with banks, provide employees with insurance and figure out how to do payroll and taxes?
It's definitely more of a challenge than traditional businesses — to be banked, to find insurance companies, to be bonded, all those things. That being said, 60 percent of cannabis businesses in this country are banked. So it's not impossible. It's just more cumbersome. There's a lot of paperwork to be done on both ends. It's the same thing with insurance.
If you look across the board, it just takes that much more diligence to be able to get those contracts. And at the end of the day, I think these companies end up finding a niche servicing the cannabis industry because the proprietors are so motivated to follow the rules. They're so invested in making sure their business is on the up and up and that they do everything possible to comply so they end up being incredibly good clients.
In addition to pay, what benefits are most employees at these companies getting?
The vast majority across the country are receiving benefits including health insurance. If you look at the cannabis business, even the small businesses are trying to rival really established businesses as far as what they offer for benefits.
They want to treat their employees well with loyalty. They know they need to provide good working conditions. They know that they need to really step up the game if they want to keep the best and brightest because the competition is going to be strong.
So what we do see is actually really excellent benefit packages nationally. I can't really speak specifically on Michigan as far as whether it's above average benefits (for employees) in Michigan, but there are so many members of the cannabis industry that are unionized. We see that across the board; a very high standard.
Where are a lot of these people coming from who round up investors and jump into the marijuana industry as a business owner?
Generally, very successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with other successful entrepreneurs. They're willing to take a risk in the cannabis industry. It's very calculated when you have strong financial backing. The people that we're seeing be successful at this point and make that leap are the people who have that ability to actually take that risk.
With all these people who want to create jobs, what are you finding they like about Michigan?
People are very excited to move into Michigan because they know that if they make in Michigan they can expand in the Midwest when interstate commerce comes into play. A lot of folks look at the craft beer industry, and where there's good craft beer there's good cannabis. Michigan already has such a stellar reputation for craft beer that it only makes sense that the cannabis from there will be particularly desirable.
Also, the fact that Michigan has had a longstanding tolerance of cannabis and understanding (helps). You can look at Ann Arbor. Even when you look at Lansing, you see a real understanding that there's a medical purpose (for marijuana) but there's also a place for adult (recreational) use and to treat more episod conditions through the adult use market. It doesn't have the taboo that it has in other places. So between the tolerance and the welcoming (atmosphere) that Michigan offers, and the every(day) American customer base, it's a great place.
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Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.
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