Why Aren’t Cannabis Jobs at NYS Job Fairs?

Published By Robert “Rip” Grigonis, Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc.

In New York, cannabis is legal. The cannabis industry is regulated. The state itself issues licenses, collects taxes, and touts social equity. So here’s the million-dollar question:

Why isn’t the cannabis sector represented at New York State Department of Labor job fairs?

We’ve all seen the polished booths at workforce events—construction companies, healthcare recruiters, tech startups, even law enforcement. But where is the fastest-growing industry in the state? Where are the cannabis cultivators, dispensaries, testing labs, delivery services, and education providers?

The silence is louder than smoke.

🚫 Is There Still a Stigma?

Let’s call it what it is: stigma in a suit. Despite legalization and billions in potential revenue, cannabis still isn’t treated like a “real” career option at many of these fairs. This isn’t just ironic—it’s systemic exclusion.

Job seekers are missing out. Veterans, people with disabilities, second-chance citizens, and college grads looking for purpose-driven work—they deserve access to every legal opportunity, including cannabis.

📉 A Missed Opportunity for Equity

New York State's cannabis program claims to prioritize social equity, but how can that be achieved if the very job placement systems meant to uplift marginalized communities ignore cannabis entirely?

You can't claim equity and then exclude the very jobs that are supposed to create it.

🧠 The Industry Demands Knowledge—So Let’s Educate

Cannabis isn’t just about cultivation or budtending. It’s about compliance, science, agriculture, education, marketing, logistics, and patient advocacy. These are real careers. And they belong at every job fair, career center, and workforce board meeting—especially ones sponsored by the Department of Labor.

💥 The Call to Action

We’re calling on the New York State Department of Labor and its affiliated career centers and workforce boards to include cannabis jobs at all relevant job fairs.

We’re asking:

Why aren't licensed cannabis employers being invited?

Why isn't there a Cannabis Industry table next to healthcare and tech?

When will New York treat cannabis like the legitimate workforce sector it is?

We don’t just want a seat at the table—we’re building our own.

🔗 Join the Movement

Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc. is fighting to make the cannabis industry accessible, inclusive, and transparent—especially for people with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and those long ignored by traditional job markets.

Help us push for cannabis job inclusion at job fairs statewide. Contact your local workforce board. Share this blog. Demand representation.

Because cannabis is legal. Jobs are available. And the time for excuses is over.

Visit www.marijuanaadvocacy.org to get involved.