The Ohio cannabis industry growth is set to reach a new high with the 70 provisional licenses issued earlier this year. The licenses will double the number of medical marijuana facilities across the state. With the new licenses, the Ohio marijuana industry is estimated to grow between $1 and $2 Billion.  

Thanks to these provisional licenses, marijuana companies are preparing for expansion by creating 6,388 new jobs across the Ohio cannabis industry, with 4,000 to be filled by the end of 2024. The development will not only provide thousands of jobs but also help support the over 270,000 legally registered patients. Currently, in Ohio, there are 641 physicians recommending cannabis and ten testing labs approved, 5 of which are operational.

While currently, marijuana is only legal for medical use, it remains illegal for recreational use. A ballot may enter the state’s election within the next year, but for now, cities are working to decriminalize the possession of marijuana by voting individually. 

The growing list of supporters of the marijuana industry includes lawyers, accountants, marketing firms, advisors, paraphernalia companies, and more. The growth of the marijuana industry supports other industries through partnerships and opportunities to grow by marketing and providing services for the major growth the marijuana industry is expected to experience throughout Ohio. 

What Jobs Are Opening Up In Ohio?

People interested in working in the booming medical marijuana industry have several positions perfect for any level of knowledge and among the thousands of jobs needed to be filled with the current rate of growth.

1750 New Dispensary Jobs Coming

With 70 provisional licenses approved, dispensaries will need at least 25 people to help with many responsibilities. Jobs through dispensaries involve working in front of the house, serving patients, and filling their needs, including stocking or security. 

778 Processing Jobs Coming

Processor job responsibilities include extracting, cooking, processing, and packing. The average operational processor currently employs about 22 people.  Ohio’s 42 operational processors are set to add another 15 employees each to meet the growing demand..  There are also 4 unoperational who will become operational and add about 37 jobs each. With the average processors needing about 37 employees, the anticipated number of jobs opening sits around 778.

1731 Cultivation Jobs Coming

Cannabis cultivation facilities require skilled growers to ensure the plants are in optimal health and to ensure the plants are protected. There are two levels of provisional license recipients, Level 1 and Level 2. 

Facilities are preparing to double their square footage by purchasing land or buying a new property to support the growth. Level 1 are small growers with expected job growth of at least 391 openings across operational and facilities. Level 2 or the larger growers can anticipate about 1,008 new jobs across operating facilities.  Both license types will also add a total of about 322 jobs with the 8 provisional licenses that are yet to open.

2,130 Ancillary Jobs Coming

Ancillary jobs are jobs that support the industry. The 641 recommending physicians, the 10 testing labs, lawyers, accountants, marketing firms, hydro stores are all examples of ancillary businesses. Ancillary jobs are likely to provide  50%  or more of the job opportunities form direct licensees. That’s about 2,129 job opportunities.

Ohio allows cannabis companies to own their processing, cultivation, and dispensary licenses letting them control their product from seed to sale. Ohio is on the right path to having a properly balanced medical marijuana supply to support the growing demand. With thousands of jobs soon to be created, now is a great time to enter the marijuana industry.