Medical Marijuana Delivery Jobs

No, this is not a dream. With inevitable medical and recreational marijuana legalization becoming increasingly clear to both supporters and dissenters, resources to help medical marijuana patients gain greater access to cannabis products are taking hold in many cities and states. Medical marijuana delivery jobs are a provided and necessary service to deliver crucial dispensary products to medical marijuana patients, without them having to visit the store themselves. This system is not unlike other medical prescription delivery services that take into consideration some patients inability to visit a store to receive their medication.

For this reason, medical marijuana delivery has exploded as a sector of the booming cannabis industry. Some delivery services do not sell their own marijuana products, but act as a middleman in a customer’s transaction with a dispensary. Other dispensaries do have delivery staff that bring products directly from a store to patient’s location without a middleman, but it is entirely dependent on state and municipal legislation as well as a particular dispensary’s policies.

Medical marijuana delivery jobs are not exclusively a service for human patients! Individuals with pets have also called upon medical marijuana delivery services to bring cannabis medication to their animal companions. The compound CBD is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis that is known for its anxiety and pain relieving attributes. Cannabis as a medical resource for animals is surging in popularity thanks to scientific and anecdotal evidence that marijuana can help to soothe pain in many animals.

Success of Medical Marijuana Delivery Jobs

Success of cannabis delivery services is in part thanks to a substantial increase in web development surrounding medical marijuana. Sites such as Weedmaps utilize location based services to connect customers with dispensaries and delivery services in their area. This community based approach is redefining the experience of purchasing and receiving marijuana, allowing for a more comfortable experience for the consumer and the dispensary.

It comes as no surprise that since marijuana delivery is popular with medical patients, recreational customers are also looking to get in on the action. As recreational legalization occurs in more areas around the country, delivery services will likely become omnipresent. Recreational delivery services will operate similarly to medical, but now have the opportunity to participate in competitive pricing for delivery charges.

In Oregon, recreational cannabis delivery services have been approved by the OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) and allow for retail locations to delivery up to $100.00 of marijuana products to recreational customers ages 21 and above. The law became active in January 2016 and has become referred to as a pizza delivery service for weed. The passing of this legislation allows for major job growth and opportunity for financial gain for the state of Oregon based on tax revenue.

If you’re looking to pursue recreational or medical marijuana delivery jobs, first be familiar with your local marijuana legislation. Before applying for a position, you have to make sure one exists! For the most up-to-date information, visit your state and municipality’s “.gov” website.

Qualifications for this position run pretty congruent to other delivery jobs. Dispensaries and delivery services are looking for reliable workers with a good driving record (unless delivery is carried out by bike). When businesses hire employees who are not under supervision for most of their shifts, managers are looking for people they can trust with their products and money. It would also benefit delivery worker hopefuls to have a background in customer service. Some businesses may require or suggest background checks of applicants and employees to make sure they have not committed drug related or violent crimes.

Compensation for these positions start around minimum wage, but likely involve generous tips. Pay will be reflective of the competitive market.

Alternative Options: Caregiving

If medical marijuana delivery jobs or services are not available in your local jurisdiction, there are other jobs that involve the transport of cannabis products from dispensaries to medical marijuana patients who don’t have access to a local shop. Caregiving plays an irreplaceable role in assisting medical patients in receiving their cannabis treatment when they are unable to do it themselves. In essence, a medical marijuana caregiver assists with many of the standard procedures associated with providing in home aid to a patient, yet includes the growing, harvesting and supplying of marijuana products to their patient. Caregivers can also become qualified to visit local dispensaries on behalf of their patient.

Marijuana caregiving jobs often require significant experience, as the cannabis industry is still heavily regulated. While each state delineates separate policies for caregiving requirements, states like California, which contains the largest number of medical marijuana caregivers, demand that applicants have a background in caregiving, independent of marijuana. The patient and caregiver must also must register with the California Medical Marijuana Program, which involves a formal application.

Medical marijuana caregivers must unfortunately hurdle over complicated legislation thanks to hotly contested debates over the position’s validity. As featured in Westword, some legislators are attempting to limit the number of caregivers allowed, as well as how many patients they can have. There is conflict over individuals who believe medical marijuana patients and caregivers to be abusing the system or taking advantage of doctors in order to receive medical cannabis; however, as William Breathes argues, the depletion of caregivers seems more to do with lawmakers attempting to switch medical patients over to recreational customers. In Colorado, tax on recreational products includes an additional 10% over medical taxation. The American government has consistently used their power to allow or limit medical and recreational marijuana access in order to benefit their state and municipal government. The future of caregiving positions is therefore partly dependent on economic opportunity, which could adversely affect marijuana legislation, even if recreational legalization is passed.

While greater access to marijuana products is beneficial, recreational legalization should not negatively impact the ability for medical patients to be recognized under the law and receive proper care.

Grey Areas:

The line between caregiver and medical marijuana delivery jobs services experience a significant amount of crossover. “Underground” operations where caregivers and medical marijuana patients ‘illegally’ deliver to other patients has occurred in cities and states where cannabis delivery is illegal. In several states where medical marijuana is legal, some delivery services take advantage of a loophole in jurisdiction by providing marijuana patients with products without technically selling it to them. In this vein, though it is not a legal service, it is also not infringing on any official laws.

Where Can I Find More Information?

Organizations involved in marijuana reform and activism such as Norml are consistently providing information on current and upcoming votes for marijuana reform, as well as opportunities to make your voice heard in helping to pass legislation, allowing for greater access to cannabis.

See Also:

• Medical Marijuana Jobs