America's cannabis industry supports 425,002 full-time jobs – despite a 3.4% dip, the long-term outlook remains optimistic
DENVER, May 13, 2025 -- Vangst, the leading staffing agency for the cannabis industry, today unveiled its 2025 Cannabis Jobs Report, produced in collaboration with Whitney Economics, a global leader in cannabis and hemp economic research and consulting. Now in its third year, the Vangst Jobs Report provides the industry's most comprehensive state-by-state analysis of cannabis employment, retail performance, and workforce trends across legal markets.
While cannabis employment dipped slightly in 2024, the industry posted $30.1 billion in legal retail sales -- a 4.5% increase year-over-year. The job decline of 3.4% (15,443 roles) reflects a broader shift toward operational discipline amid regulatory challenges and market recalibration.
Key findings from the 2025 Vangst Jobs Report include:
- The U.S. cannabis industry currently supports 425,002 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs -- down 3.4% from 2023 -- even as national cannabis sales grew to $30.1 billion.
- Emerging and growing markets like New York (+209%), Mississippi (+103%), and Ohio (+34%) led the country in job creation, fueled by new license issuances and increased legal access.
- Mature markets such as Illinois (-25%), Arizona (-52%), and Colorado (-9%) experienced job losses due to oversupply, high taxes, and reduced consumer participation.
- Flexible staffing and temp-to-hire models surged, especially in cultivation and processing roles, allowing companies to remain agile amid margin pressure.
- Federal reform remains stalled, but states are driving momentum: Most of the 2025 growth is expected from markets like NY, FL, NJ, MD, and OH.
- 2025 industry revenue is forecast to grow another 13.1%, reaching $34 billion, with employment expected to rebound in growth-friendly states.
"The cannabis industry has shifted from a phase of hypergrowth to one of operational discipline," said Karson Humiston, Founder & CEO of Vangst. "This recalibration reflects a maturing industry focused on sustainability and efficiency. Despite a slight decline in jobs, cannabis remains one of the nation's leading employment sectors — with over 425,000 full-time roles and revenue projected to grow more than 13% in 2025, the industry is still a powerful economic engine."
Though federal reform stalled in 2024 and 2025 policy shifts remain unlikely, states like Ohio and New York are driving new waves of job creation thanks to expanding license counts and increased legal participation. Flexible staffing, temp-to-hire models, and cross-trained teams are now key features of the industry's evolving workforce strategy.
"The cannabis industry is maturing, shifting from rapid expansion to smart, strategic growth." said Beau Whitney, Chief Economist at Whitney Economics. "Even amid short-term employment declines, companies are adopting more disciplined hiring models and staying resilient through challenging conditions. With $30.1 billion in retail sales and major job growth in new markets like New York and Ohio, the long-term outlook for cannabis remains incredibly strong."
To explore the full findings, including a breakdown of job changes by state, visit https://www.vangst.com/2025-jobs-report?utm_source=report&utm_medium=PR&utm_campaign=jobs+report&utm_id=vangst-jobs-report
About Vangst
Vangst is the leading staffing agency serving the cannabis industry, connecting businesses with qualified candidates for both temporary and permanent roles. Vangst provides fully vetted and badged employees to support cannabis companies with their short and long term staffing needs. By leveraging Vangst's talent pool—ranging from entry-level to executive professionals— companies can eliminate the time, cost, and complexity of recruiting, onboarding, and payroll. Vangst's no-commitment trial period offers employers the flexibility to evaluate employees before making a permanent hire.
Since launching in 2016, Vangst has filled over 150,000 roles and is trusted by more than 1,800 cannabis businesses nationwide. Today, over 425,000 people are employed in legal cannabis roles, a number that could triple by 2030. As the cannabis industry grows, Vangst is on a mission to build the workforce infrastructure that powers it.
Headquartered in Denver, CO, Vangst is a Series B company backed by Lerer Hippeau, Colle Capital, Level One Fund, Casa Verde Capital, and others.
About Whitney Economics
Portland, Oregon based Whitney Economics is a global leader in cannabis and hemp business consulting, data, and economic research. The firm regularly consults with private companies as well as local, state, and national government agencies, applying economic principles to create actionable policies and strategies. (www.whitneyeconomics.com)
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