Exploring the North American Cannabis Labor Market in 2025

With cannabis legalization continuing to expand across North America, the industry’s job market has entered a new phase of growth and stabilization. Last year, many new states established retail programs, automation transformed cultivation, and professionals from other industries joined the emerging new cannabis market.  As we look toward 2026, the cannabis labor market is maturing. This means new opportunities for employers and workers alike. 

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2025 Cannabis Job Market Growth in North America 

In 2025, the U.S. cannabis industry surpassed $36 billion in legal sales, supporting more than 490,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Much of this new growth was driven by Ohio’s first recreational sales, new licensing rounds in New York and Maryland, and the increase in streamlining cannabis operations nationwide. ‍

United States job creation remains concentrated in: 

• Ancillary services (29%) : including software, logistics, and testing labs
• Cultivation (28%):  fueled by greenhouse automation and regional expansion 
• Retail (24%): dispensary managers, budtenders, and compliance officers 
• Processing and manufacturing (19%): especially in edibles, beverages, and concentrates 

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In Canada, the market has stabilized around 112,000 active positions. Growth is strongest in research and international export logistics, with Canadian producers increasingly supplying European and Australian markets. 

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Canada's job creation remains concentrated in:

• Ancillary services (30%): non-plant-touching roles such as logistics, lab testing, packaging, software, and compliance
• Processing & manufacturing (25%): growth in edibles, extracts, vapes, and beverages continues to expand processing roles in product development, QA, and packaging. 
• Cultivation (25%): licensed producer facilities, including major greenhouse sites such as Aurora’s large-scale operations
• Retail (20%): budtenders, managers, and operations staff. Job-posting analyses consistently show retail among the most active hiring segments.

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Emerging Cannabis Jobs in 2025 

The cannabis workforce continues to diversify, creating specialized new roles that reflect the industry’s complexity and technological growth: 
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1. Automation and AI Technicians: With more facilities adopting automated trimming, irrigation, and AI-driven compliance systems, technicians skilled in robotics and software integration are in high demand. 

2. Sustainability and ESG Managers: New environmental mandates like California’s SB-821 have accelerated hiring for sustainability professionals who can reduce water, power, and carbon footprints. 

3. Cannabis Beverage Developers: Infused beverages are one of the fastest-growing product segments, up 18% year-over-year . This trend is attracting experts from craft brewing and beverage formulation. 

4. Healthcare Integration Specialists: Expanding medical markets in states like Missouri, Florida, and Pennsylvania are creating demand for professionals skilled in compliance, patient education, and healthcare communication. 

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Job Creation in Newly Legalized States 

Several U.S. states have reshaped the labor map in 2025: 
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• Ohio: Following its first recreational sales in June, the state added 9,500 new jobs, largely in retail and processing.  

• Maryland: Added another 4,000 positions in 2025, especially in retail expansion and compliance. 

• Minnesota: With two retail dispensaries open for business and 78 more preliminary licenses pending, cannabis jobs are just over the horizon for the  2,500 pre-licensed workers already in training. 

• New York: Overcoming early regulatory hurdles, New York’s market rebounded with 8,000 new jobs, primarily through social equity licensees. 

Looking ahead, Pennsylvania is on track to legalize adult-use cannabis by early 2026 — potentially adding 45,000 new jobs across retail, cultivation, and logistics. 

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Canada’s Cannabis Labor Market in 2025 

Canada’s cannabis workforce continues to evolve despite market maturity: 
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• Export Expansion: Licensed producers like Tilray and Canopy Growth are exporting medical cannabis to Germany, Australia, and the U.K., creating new logistics and compliance positions. 

• Retail Consolidation: While some rural locations face closures, urban centers are hiring employees for data analytics and customer experience roles. 

• Research and Development: Supported by grants from the National Research Council of Canada, cannabis R&D remains strong in genetics, product testing, and formulation. 

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Anticipated Legalizations and Future Job Growth 

Upcoming state legalizations will add momentum to labor expansion in 2026 and beyond: 
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• Hawaii: The state’s adult-use bill could create 3,000+ jobs once passed. 

• Pennsylvania: Bipartisan support is pushing legalization forward, with analysts projecting tens of thousands of new positions within three years. 

• New Hampshire: Expected to debut its state-run “agency store” model by late 2025, creating hundreds of public-sector cannabis jobs. 

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Labor Market Trends and Predictions for 2026 

Looking ahead, the industry will begin to see a number of exciting new additions that will promote expanding the cannabis workforce.
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1. Automation and Robotics Integration: Robotics will play a larger role in trimming, packaging, and inventory tracking, requiring specialized maintenance roles. 

2. Unionization and Labor Standards: Labor unions such as the UFCW are expanding representation, securing higher wages and safer working conditions. 

3. Cross-Industry Recruitment : More professionals from biotech, agriculture, and logistics are joining cannabis operations, signaling increased corporate standardization. 

4. Equity and Diversity Programs: States like Illinois and New Jersey continue to invest in workforce pipelines that promote inclusive hiring and ownership. 

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Attracting and Retaining Cannabis Talent in 2026 

With competition for skilled employees intensifying, employers must focus on culture, compliance, and efficiency:
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• Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits: Transparent compensation and healthcare coverage are essential. Workforce management platforms like KayaPush simplify payroll and benefits while maintaining compliance. 

• Invest in Ongoing Training: Regular compliance and skills training protect businesses from costly errors and improve employee retention. 

• Cultivate Inclusion: Companies that prioritize mentorship and equitable growth attract long-term talent and brand loyalty. 

• Leverage HR and Scheduling Software: Cloud-based tools streamline scheduling, automate compliance tracking, and reduce payroll errors — critical in a regulated space. 

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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Cannabis Workforce 

By the end of 2025, North America’s cannabis labor market is projected to surpass half a million jobs. But the future of cannabis work isn’t just about legalization — it’s about innovation, sustainability, and equity. 
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Companies that invest now in workforce development, automation, and inclusive hiring practices will be best positioned to lead the next era of cannabis employment. 

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Empower Your Workforce with KayaPush 

Managing a growing cannabis workforce comes with unique challenges — from payroll and scheduling to compliance and reporting. KayaPush helps dispensaries and cannabis businesses automate HR and payroll processes, stay compliant, and keep teams thriving. 
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Simplify workforce management today by speaking with one of our specialists!