A lot can change in a year in cannabis, and this past one proved it. (After reading this, check out how much the industry has evolved since 420 in 2021!)
Since the last 420 holiday, the industry has seen meaningful movement on federal reform and stronger momentum in new state markets. Cannabis is a serious economic force.
For operators, employers, and job seekers, this moment is a chance to look back at what changed and look ahead at what it will take to win from here.
And while we are keeping the industry’s progress at the forefront of our minds, we all must always keep our ‘why’ as the beacon of light and driving force behind the momentum.
4 of the biggest changes since the last 420
1 Rescheduling to Schedule III is actually happening.
After a decade of false starts, Trump’s December 2025 executive order put federal reclassification on a real timeline, with the DEA final rule expected in early to mid-2026.
The optimism vibe is flowing and amping up cannabis folks for a future of possibilities!
Rescheduling will kill the 280E tax penalty that has strangled operator profitability. It legitimizes medical research. And it opens the door for the US exchange listings and institutional capital.
It’s the single biggest federal win the industry has ever had.
And while some of you may say, “It hasn’t happened yet…” I hear you. But regardless, it’s big. And the executive order makes us that much closer, even if the order has not fully rolled out yet.
2 The intoxicating hemp loophole is closing.
The federal ban on delta-8, delta-10, and other semi-synthetic hemp-derived THC products returns that business to legal cannabis operators. Consumers get tested, labeled, dose-accurate products instead of unregulated gas station gummies.
This is a public health win and a win for legal cannabis businesses.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed since the order’s deadline is November 12, 2026. Not to mention, there’s a lot of talk about moving cannabis beverages formally to the three-tier (alcohol) system.
The executive order still has to move through rulemaking, and the hemp provision still has a year before it takes effect and could yet be amended.
But for the first time since I’ve been in this industry, the question isn’t whether federal reform is coming — it’s what shape it takes and who’s positioned to benefit when it does.
3 New state markets are thriving, and mainstream retail is opening up.
Ohio, Maryland, and Delaware posted strong early sales.
Delaware officially launched adult-use sales.
Kentucky’s medical cannabis program finally became real for patients.
Minnesota’s adult-use market stopped being a promise and became a real operating market.
Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Florida are positioned to have a concerted effort to legalize adult-use in 2026.
4 The industry’s economic footprint is undeniable now.
According to projections from Statista, total revenue from cannabis is expected to reach $47 billion in 2026.
In 2024 alone, legalization states collectively generated more than $4.4 billion in cannabis tax revenue from adult-use sales, which is the most revenue generated by cannabis sales in a single year.
For reference, Statista reported that the alcohol industry generated $8.93 billion in tax revenue in 2024. Cannabis, a new industry, is about half that – pretty impressive!
Public support for legalization is at record highs. The political and economic case for continued reform is documented, and lawmakers in both parties are responding to it.
20 tips for working in the cannabis industry
Before an interview:
1. Know who you’re talking to! Research the company and your interviewer on LinkedIn and the company website, and always understand what the job actually entails.
2. Whether you’re hiring or job seeking, know the importance of transferable skills and the DNA of a good cannabis hire.
3. Understand the risks of working in the startup industry. For job seekers, understand the risks. For employers, understand the hesitancies.
4. Ground yourself beforehand – take a walk, do a power stance (literally stand like Superman/Superwoman), and center your mind.
During an interview:
5. Be honest about any “weirdness” at past jobs. Every career has bumps. Own it. And think about how you can frame it.
6. Own your work – don’t over-credit others or you’ll sound like a delegator instead of an executor.
7. Be clear about why you’re leaving your current job. If you’re vague, hiring managers fill in the blanks themselves. Control the narrative the best you can.
After an interview:
8. Understand that back-channel references in cannabis are big and might play a role in whether you get hired.
9. Start thinking like you’ll get the job! Visualize the money, relocation, must-haves for accepting an offer. Think like it’s yours.
Remember, in this industry…
10. Play the long game. The people who stay in this industry through volatility build the strongest careers.
11. Reputation matters. In cannabis, people remember how you work and how you respond to adversity.
12. Build processes that can flex. Assume every rule will change.
13. Adaptability is a core, essential skill.
14. The most valuable employees can operate cross-functionally.
15. The winners in cannabis know how to execute.
16. The best hires unlock growth.
HR
17. If you’re spending too much of your time dealing with employee relations matters, it’s time to hire HR.
18. The cannabis industry is the ideal environment for confidential searches.
19. If retention and turnover are costing you too much money, it’s time to hire HR.
20. If you’re experiencing ongoing difficulties hiring the right people, partner with FlowerHire!