Changes in the Cannabis Sector: Background Checks and More

As the United States undergoes a broad shift in attitudes towards marijuana, it is easy to think of it as having achieved wide acceptance. In some cases, that's true—but at the state government level, cannabis is still a touchy subject. Legislators, perhaps fearful of being seen as too pro-marijuana, continue to enact additional rules and regulations on the cannabis sector. From background checks mandated for every employee in a company to the threat of hefty fines, it's not always the burgeoning industry full of promise it may seem.

What Do Background Checks for Cannabis Growers Entail?

The cannabis industry continues to expand, which means an increasing number of growing operations and the associated demand for new workers. How does due diligence look in this space? Consider what goes into background checks for cannabis growers today and what employers should keep in mind when building compliant hiring processes.

Lengthy Background Checks in the Cannabis Sector Can Delay Business Openings

Once an illicit drug, marijuana is becoming a big and lucrative (and legal) business for many American companies. Currently, 18 states and Washington, D.C. legalized recreational marijuana, which means that marijuana is legal to purchase and use if you are 18 years of age or older. Even more states (38) have legalized medical marijuana. The drug remains illegal at the federal level. Still, because the federal government is not enforcing that law, the state-level legalizations have been able to pave the way for a high-value industry. Per Fortune, legal marijuana sales in the United States are projected to hit $33 million in 2022.