What Types of Cannabis Companies are Best to Work For?
The types of Cannabis Companies that are best for work, depend on what YOU are looking for as a job seeker and the type of culture and vibe you are looking for. There are three main categories of companies in the cannabis industry.
1. Multi State Operator (MSO)
The largest, most corporate cannabis companies are Multi State Operators (MSO). They earned the name because they operate many facilities across multiple states and geographies. These companies operate like traditional retail, agriculture, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. Additionally, most of them are vertically integrated, which simply means they grow cannabis, process cannabis, and also sell cannabis at retail, all in the same company.
Advantages of Multi State Operators (MSO)
- economies of scale
- market diversification
- brand consistency
- potential for higher revenue
MSO’s are great for job seekers who want a more structured, larger environment that will have a more plug and play employment opportunity and can also offer fast growth opportunities as there are a lot more role types in a vertically integrated company that allow you to grow your skills and career across multiple areas of the business. MSO’s have between 1,000 and 10,000 employees.
2. Single State Vertical Operator (SSO)
As the name suggests, these are a category of companies that operate within a single state or geography, but are also vertically integrated. Generally, Single State Vertical Operators are “mid market” companies with 300-3,000 employees but still offer a fully integrated business that grows, processes, and sells cannabis to consumers.
Advantages of Single State Vertical Operators (SSO)
- deeper understanding of local market and consumer preferences
- more agile and responsive to local needs
- potentially faster path to profitability
SSO’s are a good fit for someone who wants to work for a business that is privately owned (not publicly traded). They are not too large, but still offer stability and a larger environment for good career growth.
3. SMB / Small Business / Family owned / Micro Business
The SMB category of business makes up 80% of the operators in cannabis. There are over ten thousand individual operators across the country who grow, process, transport, or sell regulated, legal cannabis. Most often these businesses are just one part of the supply chain, like a retail store. SMB’s are usually local and community focused businesses where the owner may work hands-on in the business with the team.
Advantages
- personalized customer service
- offer unique products and services
- foster community engagement
Working at a small business or a microbusiness that is vertically integrated is a great opportunity for someone who wants to “wear multiple hats” and learn alongside owners and other leaders in the business. This is also great for a specialist grower or cultivator who wants to grow really high quality, craft cannabis products or a retailer who wants to create a bespoke, custom, community driven experience.
Types of Cannabis Companies and Operator Types:
| TYPE | Size | Operational Scope |
|---|---|---|
| MSO | large | multiple states |
| SSO | medium | one state |
| SMB | small | community |
Who are the Largest Employers in the Cannabis Industry?
Based on recent data and reports, here are some of the top contenders for largest employers in the US cannabis industry:
Multi-State Operators (MSOs)
Curaleaf Holdings
With over 1,000 retail locations and 28 cultivation facilities across 19 states, Curaleaf boasts a sizable workforce.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Focusing primarily on Florida, Trulieve operates over 170 dispensaries in the state and employs a significant number of people.
Green Thumb Industries (GTI)
While still smaller than Curaleaf or Trulieve, GTI has operations in several US states and Canada, making it a prominent employer.
Cresco Labs
With cultivation and retail operations in several US states, Cresco Labs has a notable workforce, concentrated in the Midwest and East Coast markets.
Verano Holdings
Operating over 160 retail locations in 13 states, Verano Holdings ranks among the larger employers in the MSO space.
Additional Considerations
Regional players
Companies focused on specific states, like Trulieve in Florida or Acreage Holdings in Illinois, can still employ significant numbers in their respective regions.
Cultivation + processing companies
Though often less visible than retailers, large-scale cultivation and processing facilities like Acreage Pharms or PharmaCann employ a considerable workforce.
Ancillary Businesses
Companies providing ancillary services like packaging, testing, or software for the cannabis industry can also be sizable employers.
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