Practical Tips to Jumpstart Your Cannabis Career (2026 Guide)

How Can you Jumpstart your Cannabis Career?

1. Get Certified.

Certification programs ensure you have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to begin a cannabis career in Canada. In fact, in Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario mandates that all retail staff complete a certification program to ensure they are prepared to work in retail dispensaries.

Equivalents are available, but CannSell Standard remains the most widely completed and preferred training program in Ontario. With information on cannabis basics, product categories, identity validation, responsible sales and compliance, this course offers everything you need to hit the ground running in the cannabis industry.

Get Certified before you apply

Ensure you complete a certification before applying for jobs, so you can secure a position and start immediately. Even if you are pursuing a role that doesn’t require a mandatory certification, taking the CannSell Standard course will help you hit the ground running.

Consider Advanced Certifications

Cannabis industry professionals can also set themselves apart by considering advanced certifications like CannSell Expert, which provide more in-depth information on topics like cannabis science and safety, history and genetics, to name a few. Since CannSell courses are available online and are self-paced, you could be CannSell Standard and CannSell Expert certified in just a few short days.

2. Build a Cannabis-Focused Resume.

The most successful employees pride themselves on up-to-date, relevant and compelling resumes. When applying for positions in the cannabis industry, make sure to highlight transferrable skills from past work experiences that employers are seeking, like:

Customer Service Skills
Communication Skills
Sales or Retail Experience
Detailed Understanding of Cannabis Laws
Compliance
Identity Verification

Keep it Relevant

An industry-relevant resume will also set you apart, especially if you have pursued cannabis training and courses. Showcasing your volunteer, community or event work in the cannabis space will also help demonstrate to employers why you are an asset. Avoid slang but use industry-specific language when appropriate.

3. Network, network, network

Go on, get out there and meet the people on the front lines. Attending various industry events and networking is consistently one of the best ways to connect with employers who might be hiring. It’s also a great way to get to know industry professionals and learn about their roles and career journeys.

Maintain Contact
Building and expanding your network is critical. But the interaction shouldn’t end when the event does. Request business cards, emails or LinkedIn contacts from anyone who might support your growth and development. Who knows? Your new contacts may also be able to connect you with job opportunities and potential employers.

Get Involved
Let others see your skills in action. Consider other opportunities to get involved like volunteering at industry events or for philanthropic organisations like NORML.
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to add these valuable experiences to your resume!

5. Learn About What Courses and/or Skills are Required for the Job You’re Shooting For.

Education and training are critical when starting your career or transitioning to a new one. Depending on your role, cannabis careers require varying levels of training, ranging from 4-6 hour courses to days, weeks or months-long ones.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

Want to work as a budtender, keyholder or purchaser in cannabis retail?
CannSell Standard, or equivalent, is your first step. Without a formal certification, you cannot legally work in cannabis retail.

Want to become a Retail Operator, you’ll need:
A Retail Operator Licence (CROL) and a Retail Store Authorization (CRSA) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). You’ll also need CannSell Standard, or equivalent, since it is the required provincial training.

If you’re also planning on managing your retail store, you’ll need a Cannabis Retail Manager Licence (CRML) from the AGCO.

Want to become a Quality Assurance professional?
You’ll need a science background (preferably a B.Sc) combined with specialized training in cannabis regulations, Good Production Practices (GPP) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). Consider pursuing your training from schools like the Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS), which offers a Quality Assurance for Cannabis Certificate Program, or Seneca Polytechnic, which offers a Cannabis Regulation and Quality Assurance program.

6. Develop a Solid Understanding of the Cannabis Landscape in Ontario, and Across Canada.

Certain laws and regulations apply federally, and some are specific to each province. It’s critical to learn which laws apply across Canada, and which ones are only relevant to your location.

To be prepared for employment in the industry, learn practical information like possession limits, personal growing allowances and product categories. Familiarize yourself with the legislation, especially the laws that directly relate to the career you are seeking.

A working knowledge of the industry is not complete without an understanding of the differences between medical and recreational cannabis, how they’re accessed and the pros and cons of each.

7. Get Your Hands Dirty.

Even if you don’t consume and are not interested in trying, it’s still important to be an expert on all things cannabis.

Here’s a quick list of ways to roll up your sleeves:

If you don’t consume, talk to friends, family and colleagues who do, and ask them about their preferences, experiences and motivation for consuming. If you do consume, thoughtfully sample products while considering your own preferences, experiences and motivations
Research and become familiar with products, product categories and common effects
Seek out opportunities to look at, touch, and smell cannabis to get to know what makes the plant so unique. Checking out cannabis under a microscope is also highly recommended.
Learn about cannabis quality, rating systems and what key indicators define quality
Get acquainted with different forms of ingestion, and how they affect the body
Develop a thorough understanding of why the phrase “Start low and go slow” is so critical
If the opportunity presents itself, visit a Licensed Producer’s facility to see cannabis plants in various stages of growth

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a weed license to work in a cannabis retail store?

No. Although there is technically no “weed license”, many people use this term to refer to the license acquired by cannabis businesses, like Licensed Producers and retailers, to grow and sell cannabis in Ontario. You do not need a “weed license” to work in cannabis retail. A weed license applies only to cannabis businesses. Instead, prospective employees must complete a recognized cannabis certification program, such as CannSell Standard.

What is the best cannabis career certification program for beginners?
The best starting point is the CannSell Standard Certification, which is widely recognized as the preferred program by and for budtenders, and it’s essential for responsible cannabis sales. You can then advance to the CannSell Expert Certification.

What is the best first job in the cannabis industry?
Budtender roles are the most common entry point. Completing CannSell Standard before applying will increase your chances of being hired quickly.

What kind of job experience is required to start a cannabis career?
Although there are many entry-level positions available, individuals with previous retail, sales, customer service and/or business experience will be better positioned at the get-go. Other credentials like post-secondary degrees, certification programs and courses will further strengthen applications.

Where can I find out more information about networking opportunities in the cannabis industry?
Each month, CannSell circulates a Budtender Bulletin that contains information on industry events, conferences, workshops and more that will help you connect with cannabis professionals. The newsletter also features stellar budtenders who are making a difference in the industry, highly interesting educational info, product showcases and other industry updates. To subscribe, click HERE

Practical Tips to Jumpstart your Cannabis Career