The 2024 Vangst Jobs Report, produced in collaboration with Whitney Economics, reveals promising trends in the U.S. cannabis industry’s employment landscape. According to the report, the sector now boasts 440,445 “full-time equivalent jobs,” marking a notable 5.4% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the industry witnessed the addition of 22,952 new jobs in 2023, signaling a steady growth trajectory.
In terms of revenue, the report indicates a significant uptick in sales, with cannabis product sales reaching $28.8 billion in 2023. This represents a $2.7 billion increase compared to the previous year, reflecting a robust growth rate of over 9%.
Looking ahead, the forecast remains optimistic, with projections suggesting continued revenue growth in 2024 and 2025. Particularly vibrant job markets are anticipated in states such as Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland as their cannabis industries mature.
Karson Humiston, Founder & CEO of Vangst, underscored the remarkable evolution of the industry, noting that the number of full-time employees in cannabis has surged from less than 50,000 to over 440,000 in less than a decade—an extraordinary testament to its expanding scope and economic impact.
This resurgence in job growth comes as a welcome development following a slight decline in cannabis industry jobs from 2022 to 2023. With Vangst headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and Whitney Economics based in Portland, Oregon, the report draws upon comprehensive data and economic analysis to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the cannabis job market.
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