The CBD industry is booming in France, Europe, and around the world. Career opportunities are therefore also looking very promising. This means that those who have a special connection to this wonderful plant can now consider turning their passion into a career.
From farmers to retailers, including those in marketing and chemistry, this applies to all job profiles and skill sets. Whether you prefer working outdoors, working remotely, or
If you have a scientific mind, you'll see that there's something for everyone!
Are there any specific training programs for working in the CBD?
Given the prominent role that CBD plays in the daily lives of millions of French people, certain specialized training programs have emerged in this new industry. For example, there are training programs entirely dedicated to cannabis in the fields of health and research.
As with other careers in the CBD industry, vocational training covers the traditional areas of professional life (business, sales, marketing, agriculture), but specialization is possible in some cases.
What kinds of jobs are there in the CBD industry in France?
There are many job openings in the CBD industry. Before cannabidiol-based products can be launched on the market, several steps are required:
- culture,
- production,
- distribution, etc.
As a result, careers in the CBD industry in France span several sectors, including agriculture, crafts, retail, marketing, and sales. We've compiled a list of the most popular professions.
Hemp Farmer
This is, of course, the first step in the CBD commercialization process. You can grow cannabis in various ways: outdoors, indoors, or in a greenhouse. In France, anyone can open a CBD farm, but it is subject to fairly strict regulations.
You must obtain a commercial license and register with the National Federation of Hemp Producers (FNPC). The local gendarmerie must also be notified of your activities. In addition, only seeds supplied by an accredited organization such as the Central Cooperative of Hemp Seed Producers (CCPSC) may be used. According to current French regulations, cultivated hemp must not contain more than 0.3% THC.
CBD Store Manager
The first stores specializing in CBD opened in France in 2018. Since then, CBD stores have sprung up all over French cities and are very popular with consumers. The number of dedicated stores also increased fivefold in 2021! Today, there are more than 2,000 CBD stores in France.
Since then, some entrepreneurs have decided to open their own stores. However, this type of entrepreneurship requires careful preparation, including the development of a business plan and the creation of an initial budget. Before opening a store, you must register with the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) if you intend to sell your own products. You must register with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) if you plan to sell products purchased from a supplier. For your information, you can open a brick-and-mortar store or create an online store—or even both!
Joining a brand like High Society and becoming a distributor and CBD store manager in France means enjoying:
- The No. 1 chain in France, with more than 180 stores across the country
- A premium positioning and high-quality products
- A strong brand thanks to numerous partnerships and high visibility
- Exceptional support from our teams of professionals
Salesperson at a CBD store
While some store owners decide to sell the products themselves, most hire employees, especially as the store begins to gain recognition. As a salesperson, there are therefore many opportunities in the CBD industry. Such opportunities are also available to people who don’t have sufficient knowledge about cannabidiol. Learning about product types, flower varieties, prices per gram, and other specifics can take place during training sessions provided by the employer.
Sales Manager for a CBD brand
Some CBD brands are starting to make a name for themselves in France, while other, newer brands have big ambitions in this new, rapidly growing market. In both cases, each brand may hire a sales manager to ensure the long-term success of its business. Many job openings are also available on job search websites.
The sales manager plays several important roles here:
- promote and develop the brand,
- negotiate prices with suppliers,
- establish partnerships with other industry stakeholders,
- monitor the activities of franchise stores and much more.
In the CBD market—a new industry—this is an exciting line of work in many ways!
CBD Wholesale Manager
In the CBD industry, some brands target professionals directly—and for good reason. In fact, most stores do not sell their own products but source them from one or more suppliers. As a wholesaler, the goal is therefore to supply retailers who interact with consumers. Large-volume orders generally result in lower unit prices, which explains the popularity of wholesalers. To increase visibility, it’s also recommended to create a website.
CBD Laboratory Technician
To ensure compliance with current THC standards (maximum 0.3% per product), retailers are required to test all products offered for sale. To this end, they typically turn to an independent laboratory, which will test the submitted samples before certifying them or not.
Your role as a technician is therefore to verify the THC content in each sample—but that’s not all. You can also analyze the exact composition of the products. Recognizing the growing role of CBD in our society, some laboratories have also seized the opportunity to specialize in cannabinoid research.
Researcher
Cannabidiol is a molecule found in hemp. It has been the subject of numerous scientific studies over the past thirty years. However, the recent rise in popularity of CBD products has undoubtedly increased the amount of research on the topic. There are still many areas to explore regarding cannabidiol and other cannabinoids. As a researcher, you can therefore study the properties of CBD and conduct various experiments, particularly to better understand its effects on the human body. For now, most scientific research has been conducted on animals, and the growing acceptance of medical cannabis is expected to lead to an increase in the number of future studies…
Marketing and Digital Marketing Manager
Marketing is a key pillar of the CBD industry, particularly when it comes to attracting an audience that is still unfamiliar with these new types of products. As a marketing manager, you are responsible for promoting the brand through several distinct tasks:
- logo design,
- launching promotional campaigns,
- creation of advertising content,
- customer loyalty, etc.
If it's an online store, you'll also need to manage:
- social media presence,
- the website interface,
- the search for new partners,
- SEO optimization
- or setting up Google Ads.
CBD Product Delivery Service
Delivery services are essential for connecting the various stages of the CBD supply chain (production, manufacturing, distribution, etc.). Similarly, online stores are required to work with delivery providers to fulfill customer orders. Some specialty brands have their own delivery services, but you can also ship CBD products by working with what is known as a traditional carrier.
How do you get started in the CBD industry?
Learn and Understand
To make it easier to get involved in the CBD community, it seems important to understand the basics of how this substance works. Do some research, check out websites, and read books. In short, be curious and don’t be afraid to learn new things. The more you learn, the better you’ll understand this field.
Having a network
As in any industry, networking is essential for a smooth transition. Attend cannabis-related events, seek advice from professionals, and share your experiences. If you’re naturally shy, you can start by following CBD companies on social media so you’ll be the first to see their upcoming job postings.
Be open-minded
The CBD industry is young, but it’s growing very quickly. In fact, it’s an emerging sector unlike any other. Most of the time, cannabis companies need open-minded people who can adapt quickly to new situations. If you’re lucky enough to land an interview, show that you’re not afraid of new challenges and that you’re open to the idea of pursuing an unconventional but exciting career.
In short, the CBD sector is attracting more and more candidates and offering a growing number of career opportunities. However, different skills are required to work in any of the jobs we’ve just described, and, of course, there are varying levels of qualifications and compensation.
In addition, the scientific community contributes to the development of new varieties and to scientific research. Furthermore, professionals in finance, marketing, and sales contribute to this sector, which is a genuine business that meets consumer needs. Given the strong growth of this new industry, the number of available jobs in this sector is likely to increase in the coming years, expanding opportunities to work in the CBD industry.
