Cannabis & Hemp Laboratory Professionals

With the legalization of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use in many states and countries, a very nuanced, complex job market has emerged. A growing segment of this space is cannabis manufacturing, processing, and testing laboratory positions. These roles are responsible for making and testing products beyond flower such as hash, pens, edibles, tinctures, and all other formulated products derived from botanicals. The personnel holding these positions are crucial to ensuring that cannabis products are produced safely, consistently, and efficiently. In this article, we will discuss the various types of cannabis laboratory jobs available and very high-level descriptions of these positions.

Analytical Chemist

An Analytical Chemist is responsible for testing and analyzing cannabis products to ensure their potency, purity, and quality. They use a range of analytical techniques, including gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, to identify and quantify the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds present in cannabis products.

Chief Science Officer

The Chief Science Officer is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the scientific and research-related activities of a cannabis company. The CSO is responsible for ensuring that the company’s scientific activities are aligned with its strategic goals and objectives, as well as ensuring regulatory policies and guidance is adhered to. The CSO typically has a background in a relevant scientific field, such as chemistry, biology, pharmacology, or biochemistry.

Director of R&D

A Director of Research and Development (R&D) oversees the development of new products and technologies. This includes managing the research and development team and ensuring the company’s R&D efforts align with its strategic goals and objectives. The Director of R&D typically has a background in a relevant scientific field, such as chemistry, biology, pharmacology, or biochemistry. They develop and implement the company’s R&D strategy, which includes identifying new market opportunities and developing new products and technologies to meet the needs of consumers and patients.

Director of Science

A Director of Science is responsible for overseeing the scientific and technical operations of the company. This includes managing the company’s laboratory operations, ensuring that the company’s products meet regulatory standards, and leading the company’s scientific research efforts. The Director of Science typically has a background in a relevant scientific field, such as chemistry, biology, pharmacology, or biochemistry.

Extraction Technician

An Extraction Technician is responsible for operating the equipment used in the extraction process, which involves monitoring the temperature, pressure, and other parameters to ensure that the extraction is carried out correctly and safely. They must also follow strict safety protocols to prevent accidents or injuries in the laboratory. The extraction process involves using a variety of techniques to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. This can include using solvents such as ethanol, butane, and CO2 or non-solvent methods such as rosin pressing or ice water extraction.

Laboratory Director

A Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations within the company. This includes managing the laboratory staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and implementing quality control measures to ensure accurate and reliable testing results. The Laboratory Director typically has a background in a relevant scientific field, such as chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmacology, and has extensive experience in laboratory management. They are responsible for developing and implementing laboratory policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations, and maintaining the overall quality of laboratory end products.

Laboratory Manager

The Lab Manager manages the day-to-day operations of a cannabis processing, manufacturing, or testing laboratory. This includes overseeing laboratory staff, managing laboratory resources, and ensuring that internal and state-mandated policies are adhered to. Good lab managers have a deep understanding of laboratory management principles, regulatory requirements and excellent leadership and communication skills. They usually have a background in relevant scientific fields, such as chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmacology. They are responsible for developing and implementing laboratory policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations, and maintaining the overall quality of laboratory end products.

Vice President of Production

The Vice President (VP) of Production is a key executive responsible for overseeing the production operations of the company. This includes overseeing the cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, and packaging of products, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and developing strategies for scaling production to meet market demand. The VP of Production typically has a strong background in operations management and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the production of cannabis products. They are responsible for developing and implementing production plans that are aligned with the company’s overall business strategy, and for ensuring that production operations are efficient, cost-effective, and meet quality standards.

The demand for skilled professionals in these areas is expected to continue to grow as the cannabis industry expands and matures. According to a report by MJ Biz Daily, the legal cannabis industry in the United States is expected to create over 450,000 to 600,000 jobs by 2025, with a significant number of these jobs in processing and production.

Moreover, the cannabis industry at large is still in its early stages of development, meaning that there is a significant amount of innovation and growth yet to come. As new products are developed, and new markets emerge, there will be a growing need for skilled professionals to support the development and production of these products.