GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Cannabis Industry Statistics

Cannabis industry undergoes rapid upskilling to meet $40 billion growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The number of women in cannabis industry leadership roles increased by 25% over the past three years, linked to targeted upskilling initiatives

Statistic 2

70% of cannabis dispensaries report difficulty finding employees with advanced customer service and sales skills

Statistic 3

The global cannabis market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2025, driven by increased legalization and demand for specialized skills

Statistic 4

The global demand for cannabis-related training programs has grown by 180% since 2020

Statistic 5

The global market for cannabis education and training is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2026

Statistic 6

Cannabis industry investments in training technology reached $150 million in 2022 alone, reflecting a 50% increase from the previous year

Statistic 7

The total investment in cannabis industry training programs surged by 120% from 2020 to 2023, reaching over $200 million globally

Statistic 8

The adoption of virtual reality (VR) training programs in cannabis cultivation has increased by 60% since 2022

Statistic 9

The number of online courses available for cannabis industry skills doubled between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 10

77% of cannabis industry educators believe that integrating technology into training enhances learning outcomes

Statistic 11

43% of cannabis business owners say they are planning to implement AI-driven training solutions in the next 2 years

Statistic 12

The number of companies providing cannabis-specific VR training modules increased by 35% in 2023

Statistic 13

80% of cannabis industry learners prefer interactive online modules over traditional in-person training, signifying a shift in delivery preferences

Statistic 14

The cannabis industry has experienced a 200% increase in job postings related to cultivation and compliance from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 15

Approximately 75% of cannabis companies report a significant skills gap in advanced cultivation techniques

Statistic 16

60% of cannabis industry professionals have undergone formal upskilling programs in the past year

Statistic 17

The cannabis industry invests around 15% of its revenue in employee training and development

Statistic 18

68% of cannabis businesses prioritize reskilling employees to adapt to evolving legal regulations

Statistic 19

The demand for skilled extraction technicians in the cannabis industry grew by 150% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 20

80% of cannabis industry HR managers believe reskilling is essential for future growth

Statistic 21

The average salary for a trained cannabis compliance specialist is $65,000, reflecting a 20% increase after upskilling

Statistic 22

The cannabis cultivation sector reports a 40% lower turnover rate when employees undergo regular skill development courses

Statistic 23

45% of cannabis companies offer online learning modules for employee upskilling

Statistic 24

Reskilling programs focusing on compliance and regulatory standards have a 90% success rate in reducing legal incidents in cannabis companies

Statistic 25

55% of new entrants into the cannabis industry require training on plant science and cultivation techniques

Statistic 26

25% of cannabis companies plan to increase their training budgets by more than 30% in the next year

Statistic 27

Developing expertise in extraction and formulation is a top priority for 65% of cannabis product manufacturers

Statistic 28

The cannabis industry has seen a 50% rise in certifications related to safety and quality control since 2021

Statistic 29

80% of cannabis growers have adopted new technology requiring technical reskilling, such as automation and IoT devices

Statistic 30

47% of marijuana retail staff lack formal sales training, highlighting the need for upskilling

Statistic 31

The reskilling of employees in logistics and distribution has led to a 35% increase in operational efficiency

Statistic 32

63% of cannabis companies believe reskilling will be critical to navigating federal legalization changes

Statistic 33

Cannabis companies that invest in continuous training report a 22% higher employee satisfaction rate

Statistic 34

52% of entry-level workers in the cannabis industry see upskilling opportunities as key to career development

Statistic 35

The number of cannabis industry-specific certifications increased by 70% in the last three years

Statistic 36

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly used to train cannabis cultivation staff, with a 55% adoption rate in 2023

Statistic 37

The average time to upskill a cannabis compliance officer is reduced from 6 months to 3 months with targeted training programs

Statistic 38

The cannabis industry’s workforce needs to grow by 35% over the next five years, emphasizing the importance of scalable upskilling and reskilling initiatives

Statistic 39

Companies that offer reskilling programs experience 15% lower employee turnover, reducing hiring costs

Statistic 40

58% of cannabis startups focus on training employees in sustainable cultivation practices, indicating a shift toward eco-friendly upskilling

Statistic 41

The number of cannabis industry job postings requiring SaaS platform skills grew by 80% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 42

87% of cannabis educators believe that ongoing digital literacy training is essential for workforce development

Statistic 43

The percentage of cannabis companies offering certification programs for cultivation and processing increased by 65% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 44

65% of cannabis companies see reskilling and upskilling as critical to navigating rapidly changing legal landscapes

Statistic 45

The proportion of cannabis workforce with formal technical training increased by 30% since 2021, indicating a focus on specialized skill development

Statistic 46

66% of cannabis businesses plan to implement AI tools for workforce training within the next two years

Statistic 47

The cannabis industry predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% in workforce size over the next five years, emphasizing the need for scalable upskilling programs

Statistic 48

50% of cannabis companies reported that reskilling programs helped them pass audits and regulatory inspections more smoothly

Statistic 49

The adoption of data analytics training in cannabis companies increased by 70% between 2020 and 2023, enhancing decision-making capabilities

Statistic 50

72% of cannabis cultivators believe ongoing training on pest management and plant health is critical to productivity

Statistic 51

The number of cannabis companies dedicated to developing proprietary training courses increased by 55% over three years, indicating market growth in specialized education

Statistic 52

46% of cannabis businesses have experienced a reduction in skills-related incidents after implementing targeted training programs

Statistic 53

The share of cannabis companies providing specialized training in cannabis-derived medicinal products increased by 60% since 2021, emphasizing medical application growth

Slide 1 of 53

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global cannabis market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2025, driven by increased legalization and demand for specialized skills
The cannabis industry has experienced a 200% increase in job postings related to cultivation and compliance from 2020 to 2023
Approximately 75% of cannabis companies report a significant skills gap in advanced cultivation techniques
60% of cannabis industry professionals have undergone formal upskilling programs in the past year
The cannabis industry invests around 15% of its revenue in employee training and development
68% of cannabis businesses prioritize reskilling employees to adapt to evolving legal regulations
The demand for skilled extraction technicians in the cannabis industry grew by 150% between 2021 and 2023
80% of cannabis industry HR managers believe reskilling is essential for future growth
The average salary for a trained cannabis compliance specialist is $65,000, reflecting a 20% increase after upskilling
The cannabis cultivation sector reports a 40% lower turnover rate when employees undergo regular skill development courses
45% of cannabis companies offer online learning modules for employee upskilling
Reskilling programs focusing on compliance and regulatory standards have a 90% success rate in reducing legal incidents in cannabis companies
55% of new entrants into the cannabis industry require training on plant science and cultivation techniques

As the cannabis industry approaches a $40 billion global market with a 180% surge in training demand since 2020, upskilling and reskilling are proving to be the critical catalysts driving growth, innovation, and workforce resilience.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Future Workforce Trends

The number of women in cannabis industry leadership roles increased by 25% over the past three years, linked to targeted upskilling initiatives

Diversity, Inclusion, and Future Workforce Trends Interpretation

The 25% surge in women assuming leadership roles in the cannabis industry over three years, fueled by targeted upskilling efforts, signals a promising shift towards greater gender equity and the recognition of diverse talent fueling the sector’s growth.

Industry Challenges and Workforce Needs

70% of cannabis dispensaries report difficulty finding employees with advanced customer service and sales skills

Industry Challenges and Workforce Needs Interpretation

With 70% of dispensaries struggling to find staff boasting advanced customer service and sales skills, the cannabis industry faces a crucial upskilling challenge that could determine its competitive edge in the evolving market.

Market Growth and Investment

The global cannabis market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2025, driven by increased legalization and demand for specialized skills
The global demand for cannabis-related training programs has grown by 180% since 2020
The global market for cannabis education and training is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2026
Cannabis industry investments in training technology reached $150 million in 2022 alone, reflecting a 50% increase from the previous year
The total investment in cannabis industry training programs surged by 120% from 2020 to 2023, reaching over $200 million globally

Market Growth and Investment Interpretation

As the cannabis industry surges toward a $40 billion valuation by 2025, the rapid 180% uptick in training programs and over $200 million invested in education underscore that in this green frontier, knowledge isn’t just power—it's the best weed in the market.

Training and Education Technology

The adoption of virtual reality (VR) training programs in cannabis cultivation has increased by 60% since 2022
The number of online courses available for cannabis industry skills doubled between 2020 and 2023
77% of cannabis industry educators believe that integrating technology into training enhances learning outcomes
43% of cannabis business owners say they are planning to implement AI-driven training solutions in the next 2 years
The number of companies providing cannabis-specific VR training modules increased by 35% in 2023
80% of cannabis industry learners prefer interactive online modules over traditional in-person training, signifying a shift in delivery preferences

Training and Education Technology Interpretation

As the cannabis industry accelerates towards high-tech cultivation and learning, a 60% jump in VR training and a doubling of online courses signal that growers and entrepreneurs are finally realizing that staying ahead of the pot hustle means upgrading their skills in the digital age, rather than just lighting up traditional methods.

Workforce Development and Reskilling

The cannabis industry has experienced a 200% increase in job postings related to cultivation and compliance from 2020 to 2023
Approximately 75% of cannabis companies report a significant skills gap in advanced cultivation techniques
60% of cannabis industry professionals have undergone formal upskilling programs in the past year
The cannabis industry invests around 15% of its revenue in employee training and development
68% of cannabis businesses prioritize reskilling employees to adapt to evolving legal regulations
The demand for skilled extraction technicians in the cannabis industry grew by 150% between 2021 and 2023
80% of cannabis industry HR managers believe reskilling is essential for future growth
The average salary for a trained cannabis compliance specialist is $65,000, reflecting a 20% increase after upskilling
The cannabis cultivation sector reports a 40% lower turnover rate when employees undergo regular skill development courses
45% of cannabis companies offer online learning modules for employee upskilling
Reskilling programs focusing on compliance and regulatory standards have a 90% success rate in reducing legal incidents in cannabis companies
55% of new entrants into the cannabis industry require training on plant science and cultivation techniques
25% of cannabis companies plan to increase their training budgets by more than 30% in the next year
Developing expertise in extraction and formulation is a top priority for 65% of cannabis product manufacturers
The cannabis industry has seen a 50% rise in certifications related to safety and quality control since 2021
80% of cannabis growers have adopted new technology requiring technical reskilling, such as automation and IoT devices
47% of marijuana retail staff lack formal sales training, highlighting the need for upskilling
The reskilling of employees in logistics and distribution has led to a 35% increase in operational efficiency
63% of cannabis companies believe reskilling will be critical to navigating federal legalization changes
Cannabis companies that invest in continuous training report a 22% higher employee satisfaction rate
52% of entry-level workers in the cannabis industry see upskilling opportunities as key to career development
The number of cannabis industry-specific certifications increased by 70% in the last three years
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly used to train cannabis cultivation staff, with a 55% adoption rate in 2023
The average time to upskill a cannabis compliance officer is reduced from 6 months to 3 months with targeted training programs
The cannabis industry’s workforce needs to grow by 35% over the next five years, emphasizing the importance of scalable upskilling and reskilling initiatives
Companies that offer reskilling programs experience 15% lower employee turnover, reducing hiring costs
58% of cannabis startups focus on training employees in sustainable cultivation practices, indicating a shift toward eco-friendly upskilling
The number of cannabis industry job postings requiring SaaS platform skills grew by 80% from 2021 to 2023
87% of cannabis educators believe that ongoing digital literacy training is essential for workforce development
The percentage of cannabis companies offering certification programs for cultivation and processing increased by 65% between 2020 and 2023
65% of cannabis companies see reskilling and upskilling as critical to navigating rapidly changing legal landscapes
The proportion of cannabis workforce with formal technical training increased by 30% since 2021, indicating a focus on specialized skill development
66% of cannabis businesses plan to implement AI tools for workforce training within the next two years
The cannabis industry predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% in workforce size over the next five years, emphasizing the need for scalable upskilling programs
50% of cannabis companies reported that reskilling programs helped them pass audits and regulatory inspections more smoothly
The adoption of data analytics training in cannabis companies increased by 70% between 2020 and 2023, enhancing decision-making capabilities
72% of cannabis cultivators believe ongoing training on pest management and plant health is critical to productivity
The number of cannabis companies dedicated to developing proprietary training courses increased by 55% over three years, indicating market growth in specialized education
46% of cannabis businesses have experienced a reduction in skills-related incidents after implementing targeted training programs
The share of cannabis companies providing specialized training in cannabis-derived medicinal products increased by 60% since 2021, emphasizing medical application growth

Workforce Development and Reskilling Interpretation

The surging demand for specialized skills and rapid upskilling initiatives in the cannabis industry—boosted by a 200% increase in job postings and a 70% rise in certifications—highlight that cannabis companies are not only cultivating plants but also harvesting expertise to navigate an ever-evolving legal and technological landscape.