Weed business is a draw for many
Truro Herbal Company’s job fair shows there’s lots of interest
Competition is stiff for those hoping to find a career in the pot production business.
That was evident at a recent job fair, hosted by Truro Herbal Company at the Best Western Glengarry where 300 applicants had already dropped off resumes by noon on Saturday.
Chyloe Gallant of Halifax, a carpenter and manufacturing engineer by trade, graduated from Nova Scotia Community College in 2007.
“I’m mechanically inclined. I find that transfers really well to any job that I’ve ended up having, with that knowledge,” said Gallant.
“I work mainly as a finish carpenter, I take great care to attention to detail and quality assurance for my work and that’s probably where I would have the best opportunity to showcase those skills.”
Truro Herbal Company was founded four years ago in Truro and describes itself as a licence-ready producer of both medical and recreational marijuana.
Truro Herbal has already built a 20,000-square-foot facility in the Truro Business Park that can produce three million grams of legal weed per year.
The company will need up to 50 full-time employees to reach its aim of full-capacity weed cultivation by next spring.
Jobs are available in growing, production, maintenance, shipping/receiving, sales, customer service, administration, security, quality control, human resources, IT and finance.
Jobs requiring skilled trades experience will also be available, as well as internships and student roles.
Company executives expected to see as many as 500 hopefuls come through the door by end of day.
Shelley Jones of Westville was among those dropping off resumes.
“I’m looking for work in the new and upcoming future of Canada and I hope to have a big part in that if I can,” said Jones.
Gallant’s introduction to marijuana came after she suffered a workplace fall just after finishing college, leaving her with severe back, neck and hip injuries.
A medical marijuana prescription finally relieved the chronic pain she suffered, allowing her to return to work and try her luck with the legal cannabis industry.
“A legal job within the cannabis industry would be a dream come true. Especially one where I could remain in the province and develop our industry for our own province,” wrote Gallant in her cover letter to Truro Herbal.
One man from East Hants, sporting dreadlocks and loose jeans, voiced fears about being able to cross the American border if he took a job with Truro Herbal.
Nine American states have legalized recreational marijuana, but the drug remains illegal at the federal level and the Trump Administration has taken a hard line on its use.
Canadians working for legal marijuana companies may face more intense questioning and scrutiny at the border and risk being permanently banned from entering the United States.
THC vice- president Sandy Schembri said federal agencies had to work out border issues.
“Internally, we have to support our employees doing any of that business. We’re small enough at this point that we haven’t had to do a lot of international exchanges,” said Schembri.
“It’s a new world and I feel like the border issues hopefully won’t be long run and maybe it’s just a short- term response to the new changes.”