What’s it Like to Work for Hemp Employers?
With the recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, entrepreneurs and hopeful job searchers alike are flocking to the hemp industry in hopes of finding success. To say there is excitement over the federal legalization of hemp is an understatement.
Since hemp is such a versatile plant, the industry is sure to offer a wide variety of engaging career opportunities. Between industrial hemp and CBD, hemp employers offer diverse careers involving anything from building materials to pet medicines.
Before you dive in and start your new hemp industry job search, M&F Talent wanted to give you an inside glimpse into what it’s like to work for hemp employers.
What is the 2018 Farm Bill?
The latest rendition of the Farm Bill was signed into law on December 20, 2018. The standout feature of the 2018 Farm Bill was the federal legalization of hemp. Interestingly, the new legislation uses THC levels to differentiate between “hemp” and “marijuana.”
With the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC is considered hemp by the federal government. The legalization of hemp opened up a myriad of opportunities for growers, entrepreneurs, and scientists, as it allows for the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp-derived products like CBD, textiles, building materials, and food items.
What Types of Hemp Employers are Out There?
Hemp employers are those companies that grow or manufacture hemp-related products. There are also hemp ancillary companies that service growers and producers in a business-to-business (B2B) capacity. Hemp products fall into two categories: hemp-derived CBD products and industrial hemp materials.
Hemp Growers
With hemp now legal in all 50 states, farmers around the nation are scrambling to get plants in the ground this growing season. While many hemp growers are planting large fields in a fashion that matches traditional agriculture, others are utilizing greenhouses for controlled environment agriculture.
Farm Equipment Manufacturers
While growers are working hard to get hemp planted in 2019, equipment manufacturers are developing different technologies needed to manage these crops on a commercial scale. Not only do growers need industrial hemp farming technology, but they also need the equipment to harvest and process raw plant material – whether it be fiber for textiles or CBD for consumable products.
CBD Product Companies
The hemp-derived CBD industry has exploded in popularity with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Whether it be topical creams or consumable gummies, there are near endless varieties of CBD products on the market today. Nearly every week, the hemp industry sees newsflashes about new massive CBD business ventures, featuring names the likes of Kroger and Martha Stewart.
Hempseed Oil Product Companies
Hemp seed oil is a versatile product derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. It’s rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making it ideal for skin care, cooking, and industrial applications like biofuels and lubricants. Due to its known health benefits, the hemp industry is seeing an influx of new companies getting into the hempseed oil vertical.
Hemp Textile & Building Supply Operations
Hemp textiles are durable and eco-friendly, offering breathability and strength. Used in clothing, bags, and upholstery, they’re a sustainable alternative to traditional fabrics. Hemp-based building supplies like hempcrete are not only extremely strong and energy efficient, they are a much more sustainable method for building than traditional lumber or stone.
Why is the Hemp Industry a Good Place to Work?
As compared to similar career paths in the cannabis industry, the legal standing of hemp gives this industry some serious potential job growth. The same can be said about the versatility of the hemp plant, as we are just scratching the surface of its many diverse applications.
Since hemp companies don’t face the same level of compliance scrutiny as cannabis businesses, they can operate openly across state lines and national borders. Because major television personalities like Sanjay Gupta are getting behind CBD, these products have been rapidly adopted by mainstream America. Even conservative areas of the United States are embracing hemp as a new cash crop and are planting fields by the acre.
What are the Challenges of Working for Hemp Employers?
In the short time since the 2018 Farm Bill became law, it is amazing to see the transitions that the hemp market has undergone. While the excitement surrounding hemp is palpable, legalization has brought with it a tidal wave of startup companies.
As seen with many new businesses, most hemp startups lack direction, structure, and focus – some even struggle to pay their employees. If you plan on working in the hemp industry, it’s advisable to do some due diligence on potential employers before accepting a job.
The hemp industry is still waiting on formal guidance from the FDA on how to test, manufacture, and label CBD products. As such, CBD companies are still operating in a bit of a grey area without real federal oversight.
Interested in Finding a Hemp Job? Contact M&F Talent
Since hemp is such a versatile plant, it offers almost countless career opportunities. In turn, M&F Talent is thrilled to partake in the hemp industry during these extremely exciting times.
Contact us today to find work with hemp employers!
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