what's this job worth, anyway?!

[FunkeeNuggz]

growing is a union gig in California.

Colorado next?

I'm with you on that one. I've been wondering that since the DoR is wanting to legitimize this industry. I'm doing my research and I'm even considering changing my major at school to Ecology/Evolutionary Biology and in 2 years when I'm eligible to work in the industry I'll have some legit education on my resume but we'll see, anything can happen.

[HarvestHouse]

your value as a gardener comes into play being able to astutely observe trends and changes (pests and pathogens) in the garden before they become problems. Many problem you will run into may only be evidenced by lack of vigor or decreased yield and by then it's too late. The dynamic changes in an indoor garden from summer to winter have their own requirements. If you haven't run your garden for a full 12 months, I would caution you against being cavalier about your skill set. You could end up with a flop or two as you swing into summer. That wouldn't be good for a professional grower's resume.

Be proactive. Be present. Demand BIG bonuses. Get as much as you can for your labor. Trademark your strain names if you brought any.

[copobo]

without a good grower, there isn't a good dispensary.

HH has it right. work out a bonus system.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

50k a year seems to be the going rate for a horticulturist with a bachelor's degree. The state average seems somewhat lower, although I don't think the information is very reliable. The Denver Botanic Gardens pays senior horticulturalists about 45k. (Again, unreliable info.) I would think that MMCs would pay less, but might also be willing to accept candidates with no formal education, so long as they have a proven history of growing good dope. I have no idea what you deserve, but if I were you I would ask for $15 an hour at least.

yeah but thats just a typical college job thats not quite related to our industry just because of its nature. id wager that most master g's in this field dont have botanical/horticultural, and biology degrees. rather they have culminated a history of trial and error spanning 30+ years. im just about there, and still much to learn for me. when ive nothing left to learn i fear i will lose all interest.

copobo-without good growing practices there arent good growers. clearly there is too much push for profit so growers are being forced to go against their will on some level to get product in shelves at their idea of a time frame. thats a bad practice however people seem disorientated enough to settle for low quality meds err uuhhmmm high quality ...i meant say.

[copobo]

yea, I don't know how you would measure/bonus for quality and quantity. as mmc's are businesses, I am sure both are important.

keep in mind I am just a smalltime caregiver, and I have no cares about production, nor am I even looking to move extras. BUT the grower for an mmc is THE man. He/she is paying the salaries and rent.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

yea, I don't know how you would measure/bonus for quality and quantity. as mmc's are businesses, I am sure both are important.

keep in mind I am just a smalltime caregiver, and I have no cares about production, nor am I even looking to move extras. BUT the grower for an mmc is THE man. He/she is paying the salaries and rent.

well even investors want their cut right now so that they are not caught lingering when shit goes south. so that creates additional pressure. not to mention who knows how legit some of these dispensaries/growers and their ties are, and what the penalties are for failure. small time is where the good stuff is at:stoned::stoned::stoned:

[catdna]

man I have been here a while and I gotta say, it's worth a LOT MORE than an hourly wage. Why are you doing this in this capacity? Why not rock your own grow? That's what I am doing, and I would never consider doing it for a wage. Freedom is too cool.

I wouldn't even discuss less than 60 G a year with FULL BENEFITS and it may take profit-sharing to get me to the table.....be demanding, in this scenario, you have the superior posture, they need to treat you right.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

man I have been here a while and I gotta say, it's worth a LOT MORE than an hourly wage. Why are you doing this in this capacity? Why not rock your own grow? That's what I am doing, and I would never consider doing it for a wage. Freedom is too cool.

I wouldn't even discuss less than 60 G a year with FULL BENEFITS and it may take profit-sharing to get me to the table.....be demanding, in this scenario, you have the superior posture, they need to treat you right.

no doubts there, however at $10 your not going to aquire any significant kind of grow if at all. my problem right there.

[copobo]

really, the thing is.... if a grower is REALLY worth a shit to the dispensary, and they are paying $10 an hour, this grower will get HIRED AWAY by a dispensary that looses their guy and realizes the value.

there are a jillion swinging dicks on the front range who think thay are badass growers, but could never take on a couple 99 plant grows with success, growing the fire.

If someone IS pulling off commercial production for a shop and is the primary supplier... this guy should def be the highest paid non-owner employee - and perhaps MORE than the owner. many owners aren't taking a paycheck as they grow their businesses...

I'm telling you, it's most important for businesses to realize who on the team you could afford to lose and who you can't. Those that would change your profitability in a big way if they went to work for the guy across the street need to be kept happy. They need to be paid & benifit-ed well BEFORE investors are sent profits, or the business will be SOL before you know it!

Key employees are your most important investment.

[quetzal]

If someone IS pulling off commercial production for a shop and is the primary supplier... this guy should def be the highest paid non-owner employee

This ^^

Especially as patients become smarter and more picky about their meds, the plants have to come first..