Elite Workplaces Aren’t Found—They’re Built: Why the Cannabis Industry Deserves Better Employers

Let’s keep it a stack—cannabis professionals work harder than most, yet get recognized the least.

Budtenders are on the front lines, educating customers while juggling compliance and cash-handling in a federally restricted industry.

Cultivators pull 14-hour days perfecting their craft, yet their knowledge isn’t valued like traditional agriculture.

Dispensary managers deal with regulatory chaos, shifting local laws, and vendors who don’t take them seriously.

Business owners stay up at night trying to figure out how to run payroll without access to traditional banking.

Accountants manually track every dollar to stay compliant with 280E tax regulations that penalize them for operating legally.

HR teams struggle with misclassifications, state-specific labor laws, and paying employees correctly—without a real system to manage it all.

And through all of it, people keep showing up. They fix problems before they explode. They lift others up while carrying the weight of an entire industry. They make the impossible look easy.

So why aren’t more cannabis companies treating their teams with the same level of care and dedication?

It’s time to stop making excuses. The businesses that will last are the ones that actually invest in the people who make this industry run. The ones that see their teams as more than just labor—but as the heartbeat of their success.

And that’s why Cannabis Business Times just named one of those companies among the 2025 Best Cannabis Companies to Work For. Because the best workplaces don’t happen by accident. They are built.

1️⃣ Recognition Isn’t a Perk—It’s the Standard

Too often, the people who keep everything together are the last to be acknowledged. Budtenders answer the same questions all day, carefully educating customers who are new to cannabis while keeping track of IDs, compliance logs, and inventory. Growers work through the night perfecting nutrient blends and light cycles but are rarely seen outside of harvest time. Meanwhile, higher-ups and investors get the credit for a “great operation.”

That’s backwards. A company isn’t great because of its name or its product. It’s great because of the people behind it. A truly elite workplace doesn’t just reward outcomes—it recognizes effort, consistency, and the small wins that lead to big success. When that kind of culture is built into the foundation, people don’t just work there. They show up like they own the place.

2️⃣ People First, Always

The cannabis industry talks a lot about community. About being different from the corporate world. About breaking old models and doing things better. But that starts with the way businesses treat their own people. If a company can’t prioritize its team, it has no business calling itself “industry-leading.”

Real leadership means understanding that people don’t just want a job—they want a mission. A delivery driver who makes last-mile cannabis logistics happen is more than a driver—they’re a key part of the supply chain. A receptionist at a dispensary isn’t just checking people in—they’re the first impression of the entire brand. The cannabis companies that survive the next decade won’t be the ones with the biggest revenue streams. They’ll be the ones that build workplaces people want to stay in.

3️⃣ The Power of Proactive Leadership

A lot of companies operate in a constant state of damage control. They scramble when compliance changes, react when licensing issues pop up, and only focus on culture when turnover becomes a problem. That’s not leadership—that’s survival mode.

The best teams don’t wait for fires to put out. They see the storm coming and adjust course before it hits. They think ahead, plan ahead, and create systems that prevent problems instead of just reacting to them. This is what separates a company that’s constantly playing catch-up from one that actually leads the industry forward.

4️⃣ The Best Workplaces Don’t Just Attract Talent—They Keep It

It’s easy to post job openings and talk about company culture on a careers page. But what happens after the hire? What’s the plan for keeping top talent engaged, motivated, and excited to stick around long-term?

Too many businesses treat their employees like temporary solutions to immediate problems. But the ones that actually thrive are the ones that invest in people like they’re in it for the long haul. That means real career paths. Real flexibility. Real opportunities to grow. Not just a decent paycheck—but a reason to stay.

5️⃣ What Separates the Best from the Rest?

The companies that rise to the top don’t get there because of luck. They get there because of intentional choices. Every great workplace is the result of leadership that understands people are the priority. Not as a tagline, but as the foundation for everything.

That’s the difference between companies that struggle and those that thrive. The best workplaces don’t wait for recognition—they command it. Their teams don’t just clock in for a paycheck—they clock in for a purpose. And when challenges come, they don’t just react—they lead.

6️⃣ The Ripple Effect of a Strong Team

One high-performing employee can change an entire team. When people feel empowered, supported, and valued, they show up differently. They work smarter. They collaborate better. They raise the standard for everyone around them.

On the flip side, burnout, high turnover, and toxic work environments don’t just stay inside company walls. They bleed into the industry. They weaken cannabis businesses. They make it harder for companies to grow. The strongest workplaces don’t just benefit the people who work there—they create a ripple effect that makes the entire industry stronger.

7️⃣ True Commitment Starts From Within

A lot of companies in cannabis like to say they’re “committed” to the industry. But what does that actually mean? Supporting cannabis isn’t just about showing up at trade shows or branding yourself as 420-friendly. It starts with how a company treats its own people.

A business that genuinely supports cannabis should be setting the standard for how companies in this industry operate. That means fair pay, strong leadership, and a workplace where people don’t just survive—they thrive. If a company can’t get that right, it has no business calling itself committed.

8️⃣ The Future of Cannabis Workplaces Starts Now

The industry is evolving fast. The businesses that will last aren’t just the ones with the best products or the biggest funding rounds. They’re the ones that build workplaces people want to be part of.

Because at the end of the day, cannabis isn’t just an industry—it’s a movement. And that movement can’t thrive if the people behind it are exhausted, underappreciated, and constantly jumping from one job to the next. The future belongs to the companies that understand that strong teams build strong businesses.

9️⃣ Leadership is More Than a Title

Anyone can sit in a leadership position. But real leadership isn’t about power—it’s about responsibility. It’s about making sure the people on your team have what they need to succeed. It’s about creating an environment where people want to do their best work—not because they have to, but because they feel valued enough to care.

Titles don’t make leaders—actions do. The best leaders don’t just manage; they inspire, guide, and elevate others. They set the tone, lead by example, and create a culture where employees feel empowered to thrive. In the cannabis industry, where businesses face unique challenges, strong leadership isn’t optional—it’s essential.

The best leaders don’t just focus on numbers. They focus on people. They don’t just talk about culture—they build it. And they don’t wait for problems to arise before making changes—they lead with intention.

What True Leadership Looks Like in Cannabis:

✅ Listening First, Speaking Second – Great leaders don’t assume they have all the answers. They ask questions, take feedback seriously, and make changes based on what their teams actually need.

✅ Investing in People, Not Just Profits – Leadership means prioritizing long-term success over short-term gains. That means mentorship, career development, and ensuring employees have the resources to thrive.

✅ Taking Ownership, Not Just Giving Orders – The best leaders don’t just delegate—they lead by example. If something goes wrong, they step up, take accountability, and work alongside their team to fix it.

✅ Proactive, Not Reactive – Instead of waiting for problems to arise, strong leaders anticipate challenges and put systems in place to prevent them. They think ahead, plan ahead, and always stay one step ahead.

✅ Empowering Others, Not Micromanaging – True leadership is about trust. It’s about giving employees the autonomy and confidence to take ownership of their roles, make decisions, and grow into leaders themselves.

✅ Recognizing & Rewarding Hard Work – A great leader makes sure their team knows they’re valued. Whether it’s through promotions, raises, or just a genuine “thank you,” recognition fuels motivation and loyalty.

🔟 Are You Holding Yourself to This Standard?

The best don’t settle. They build. They disrupt. They create workplaces so elite, they become the new standard. The cannabis industry is at a turning point—companies that prioritize their people will lead, and those that don’t will struggle to keep up.

The question isn’t whether this change is coming; the question is: who is rising to meet that standard? Who is willing to challenge outdated business practices, remove barriers for employees, and actually invest in the workforce that makes cannabis possible?

To cannabis businesses: Are you creating a workplace your employees deserve? Are you offering more than just a paycheck—real growth opportunities, a culture of respect, and a workplace where people feel seen and valued?

To employees: Are you working for a company that values you as much as you value them? Are you in a place that recognizes your effort, rewards your dedication, and empowers you to succeed? Or are you just another name in a system that sees people as replaceable?

Because the cannabis industry doesn’t just need more businesses. It needs better ones.

It needs companies that set the bar higher, that refuse to blend in, and that redefine what’s possible. This industry was built by pioneers, risk-takers, and visionaries—let’s make sure the way we treat our people reflects that same spirit.

Here’s to the doers, the fixers, the problem-solvers, and the leaders. The ones who don’t just keep the industry running—they make it stronger.

Questions to Consider That Drive Real Change

📌 For Cannabis Business Owners & Leaders:

• How often do you ask employees what they need to be successful?
• Do your people feel safe giving honest feedback about workplace challenges?
• Are you offering real career growth, or just short-term employment?
• How do you recognize employees beyond just a paycheck?
• If your best employee left today, would you know why?

📌 For Cannabis Employees:

• Do you feel supported and valued at work, or just tolerated?
• Are there opportunities for growth, or does your job feel stagnant?
• When was the last time your employer invested in your development?
• Do you feel like your company truly understands the challenges of working in cannabis?
• If you had an issue at work, do you trust leadership to handle it?

📌 For the Industry as a Whole:

• What can we do to make cannabis workplaces more sustainable?
• How can we push for better wages, benefits, and protections for cannabis employees?
• What role do customers and consumers play in supporting ethical cannabis businesses?
• How do we make sure companies that treat their employees well get the recognition they deserve?

The future of cannabis depends on the workplaces we build today. Are we doing enough to make this an industry where people want to stay, grow, and lead? Or are we just repeating the same mistakes other industries made before us?

It’s time to choose.