cruelwasp20This free event will assist you in making the transition.
Have you been daydreaming of a new job? You’re not the only one who feels this way.
As the pandemic fades and we rise from our WFH hazes, many of us are considering not only changing jobs, but possibly changing industries as well.
If you’ve ever wondered if a cannabis-related job is appropriate for you, now is the time to find out!
We spoke with Zach Carson about the Cannabis Career Summit, which will take place virtually on May 6th, 2021.
The Cannabis Career Summit’s mission is to help job seekers better understand the reality and intricacies of the cannabis industry, discover what skills and qualifications they’ll need to stand out, and showcase the industry’s top executives and companies. It’s also F-R-E-E!
Let’s get started with the interview without further ado.
Hello, Zach! Tell us a little about yourself and how the Cannabis Career Summit has helped you.
I’m the founder and CEO of Imaginal This, a firm that helps values-driven businesses create positive brand culture through events and experiential marketing. I’m the executive producer of Green Flower’s Cannabis Career Summit, and I’m in charge of forming agreements with schools of higher learning that provide Green Flower-powered cannabis certification programmes. The first event will be held virtually on May 6, 2021, in collaboration with Western Washington University. The summit will feature experts from Washington’s cannabis sector and universities sharing their experience with students and professionals interested in working in the cannabis industry.
What is a normal day at work for you?
Hustle! When it comes to putting in long hours, the cannabis industry is no joke. Professional cannabis professions have required grit, adaptability, ingenuity, and continual evolution since the move to the legal market. Due to federal policies that hinder cannabis enterprises from operating, normal company operations such as social media, online advertising, and email newsletters are routinely taken down or blocked. Cannabis businesses are unable to use banks, must distribute their products in dedicated vehicles, are subject to greater taxes, and cultivators must bear increased costs and taxes in order to flourish — it’s a tremendous problem!
At the same time, we are building the plane as we fly it, as we say in the business, and the work we are doing now is laying the groundwork for a vast and vital industry to come. As a result, it is extremely gratifying, and there are never any dull moments. Working with Green Flower is also fantastic; they have an incredible culture, a creative and supportive team, and they encourage their employees to take true ownership of their projects. This type of company culture is uncommon in the cannabis industry, and it makes working with them far more pleasurable and productive.
What made you decide to conduct a cannabis career summit?
The legalisation movement is sweeping the country! With new markets opening every day and new business opportunities around every turn, the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the largest in the United States. With this opportunity comes a lack of education and experience, making it difficult for job searchers to prepare for or create a career in this field.
Green Flower has created education and credential programmes to address this void, and as cannabis legalisation becomes more mainstream, schools and institutions are understanding the value of preparing their students for these opportunities. This career summit aims to help job seekers better understand the reality and intricacies of the cannabis sector, as well as learn what skills and qualifications they’ll need to stand out, and to highlight the industry’s top executives and companies.
What challenges and possibilities do women who want to work in the cannabis industry face?
Historically, white males were the primary drivers of the cannabis economy. However, as the industry advances, gender and race diversity has become a vital component of developing effective teams. We are seeing an increase in the number of women and people of colour in positions of leadership; we are seeing investors seeking to support companies that make diversity an integral part of their culture; and there are concerted efforts by brands, activists, and the industry to re-calibrate their hiring to better reflect the diversity on which this country and industry were founded.
What are some ways to make a resume stand out and indicate that someone is qualified if they have never worked in the cannabis industry before?
Attending one of Green Flowers’ Cannabis Career Summits is an excellent place to begin. The conference, which will take place in Washington, will include cannabis industry and university experts sharing their knowledge with students and professionals interested in entering the cannabis job market. The summit will serve as a springboard for employment in the cannabis business as well as ongoing education for practitioners and industry insiders. Business, agriculture, medicine, and law are among the programmes available. Because these certificates are new to the business, they’re a terrific method to obtain experience, knowledge, and help you stand out in a congested and growing job market.
Is there a woman in the cannabis sector who you consider a mentor or someone who inspires you?
There are a lot! Dr. Rachel Knox is a cannabinoid medicine specialist, a clinical endocannabinologist, and a cannabis and psychedelic health equity regulatory consultant. Her dedication to reform includes educating communities of colour about the role entheogens can play in closing the Minority Health Disparity Gap, as well as the broader ways in which cannabis can improve the overall health of these communities through promoting health equity.
Elizabeth Hogan, co-founder of GCH Inc., the company that owns Willie Nelson’s cannabis brands, is a real badass who is also one of the most fun people I know.
Tina Gordon of Moon Made Farms in Humboldt, California, is a spiritual gangster, creative wizard, passionate entrepreneur, and incredible farmer of some of my favourite cannabis strains. I could go on and on about how cannabis, the plant itself, is a feminine force, and the women who are most committed to promoting the plant’s genuine intents and power are the most inspiring to me.
You get to choose one celebrity to join your team. What kind of people do you hire?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with and meeting several famous cannabis figures, like Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, Phil Lesh, and others. But if I had to choose just one person to collaborate with, it would most likely be Michelle Obama.
When you really need to get some work done, what music do you listen to?
I’m currently listening to Stella Blue, Live at Winterland San Francisco, 10/16/1974 (Grateful Dead), which always delivers a great emotional and thoughtful start to the day on misty mornings with coffee. Music is a huge part of my life; it’s always on when I’m working, playing, or driving, and I spend a lot of my leisure time hearing live music. When I’m working hard and pushing through, I like to listen to live Phish, hip hop, or global beats to keep me going. Some vintage early reggae or spanish guitar plays in the background when I’m writing or concentrating. And, as of late, Club House has taken the place of a lot of my music, and I’ve enjoyed creating community and listening in on so many talks during the day on that platform.
What do you think the Cannabis Career Summit will look like in five years?
Cannabis certifications, I believe, will pervade much of the higher education ecosystem in five years. Business requires education, and the job market must find ways to prepare applicants for the path ahead in order to keep up. The cannabis sector is unlike any other, and schools may play an important role in developing talent. Hopefully, in five years, federal prohibition will be lifted, interstate and cross-border trade will be legalised, banking will be legalised, and tax reform will allow local and neighbourhood companies to prosper. That’s a tall order; we’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go. Green Flower hopes to be partnering with prominent brands around the country to teach their employees and schools across the country to educate the upcoming workforce in five years.
PS: Interested in adding a certificate to your resume? Four cannabis education certificate programmes were recently created by Western Washington University. The courses are intended to provide an entry point into the cannabis sector as well as ongoing education for practitioners and industry insiders. Business, agriculture, medicine, and law are among the programmes available.
What is your preferred method of cannabis consumption? Which strain are you now smitten with?
I’m now experimenting with low-dose edibles. My days of smoking cannabis have reduced in recent years, but I had a good run of 25 years :-). I’ve been enjoying the ability to retain a light stoney high for hours with Satori Chocolates or Plus gummies as my dosing becomes more exact. I’m also really interested in the new studies on cannabinoids, as well as all the benefits we have yet to find about this plant’s genetic richness. Pink Boost Goddess by Emerald Spirit Botanicals is my favourite flower strain. This strain has a low THC content but a high THCV content, a recently discovered cannabinoid. If you’re interested in learning more about THCV, here’s some more information:
The compound THCV works as an appetite suppressor. THCV, unlike THC, may suppress appetite. This may be beneficial to weight-reduction users, but THCV should be avoided by individuals suffering from appetite loss or anorexia.
Diabetes may benefit from THCV. The ability of THCV to regulate blood sugar levels and minimise insulin resistance has been shown in studies.
Panic episodes may be lessened by using THCV. It appears to help PTSD sufferers cope with anxiety attacks without suppressing them.
