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<!-- HERO -->
<section class="emc-workforce-hero">
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<div class="emc-eyebrow">Explore Maryland Cannabis Workforce Pathway</div>
<h1>Work in Maryland cannabis—with a real plan.</h1>
<p class="emc-hero-copy">
Explore Maryland Cannabis helps Marylanders explore cannabis careers,
build job-ready confidence, and connect with education, employers,
events, and real-world industry experiences.
</p>
<p class="emc-hero-support">
Whether you are entering the industry, changing careers, or ready to
grow beyond your current role, we will help you identify your next step.
</p>
<div class="emc-button-row">
<a class="emc-button emc-button-primary"
href="https://mailchi.mp/5e8ed0d6fddb/maryland-cannabis-workforce">
Join the Workforce List
</a>
<a class="emc-button emc-button-secondary"
href="https://www.exploremarylandcannabis.com/events">
View Upcoming Events
</a>
</div>
<p class="emc-small-note">
Not sure where you fit yet? Start here. We’ll help you explore the options.
</p>
</div>
</section>
<!-- PAGE NAVIGATION -->
<nav class="emc-workforce-nav" aria-label="Workforce page navigation">
<div class="emc-workforce-container emc-nav-links">
<a href="#pathway">The Pathway</a>
<a href="#start">Where to Start</a>
<a href="#current">Current Opportunities</a>
<a href="#careers">Career Areas</a>
<a href="#employers">Employers</a>
<a href="#faq">FAQ</a>
</div>
</nav>
<!-- PATHWAY OVERVIEW -->
<section id="pathway" class="emc-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container emc-two-column">
<div>
<div class="emc-section-label">The EMC Workforce Pathway</div>
<h2>A community-centered pathway into Maryland’s cannabis industry</h2>
</div>
<div>
<p>
The EMC Workforce Pathway connects Maryland residents to accessible
career education, industry exposure, workforce resources, and employer
relationships.
</p>
<p>
Instead of expecting you to figure out the cannabis industry alone,
we help you understand the opportunities, prepare for the workplace,
and connect with credible next steps.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-benefit-grid">
<article class="emc-benefit-card">
<span class="emc-card-number">01</span>
<h3>Understand the industry</h3>
<p>
Learn how Maryland’s cannabis ecosystem works and where different
career opportunities exist.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-benefit-card">
<span class="emc-card-number">02</span>
<h3>Identify your transferable skills</h3>
<p>
Connect your experience in retail, hospitality, administration,
marketing, agriculture, operations, or customer service to cannabis roles.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-benefit-card">
<span class="emc-card-number">03</span>
<h3>Build job-ready confidence</h3>
<p>
Strengthen your professional readiness, industry vocabulary, and
understanding of employer expectations.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-benefit-card">
<span class="emc-card-number">04</span>
<h3>Connect with real people</h3>
<p>
Attend field experiences, employer conversations, workshops, and
community-based learning opportunities.
</p>
</article>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- WHO IT IS FOR -->
<section class="emc-section emc-section-soft">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">Who This Is For</div>
<h2>You do not need cannabis experience to get started.</h2>
<p>
The pathway supports new job seekers, current employees, career
changers, and people exploring opportunities beyond plant-touching roles.
</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-check-grid">
<div class="emc-check-item">Exploring cannabis careers for the first time</div>
<div class="emc-check-item">Transitioning from another industry</div>
<div class="emc-check-item">Preparing to apply or interview</div>
<div class="emc-check-item">Already working in cannabis and ready to grow</div>
<div class="emc-check-item">Interested in ancillary or non-plant-touching roles</div>
<div class="emc-check-item">Seeking guidance before paying for training</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- STARTING POINTS -->
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<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">Choose Your Starting Point</div>
<h2>Start where you are.</h2>
</div>
<div class="emc-start-grid">
<article class="emc-start-card">
<div class="emc-start-tag">New to the industry</div>
<h3>Explore Careers</h3>
<p>
Learn how the Maryland cannabis ecosystem works, explore different
roles, and identify where your experience may transfer.
</p>
<a href="YOUR-CAREER-RESOURCES-LINK-HERE" class="emc-text-link">
Explore Career Resources →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-start-card">
<div class="emc-start-tag">Preparing to apply</div>
<h3>Build Your Readiness</h3>
<p>
Strengthen the professional skills, confidence, industry knowledge,
and workplace expectations needed to pursue employment.
</p>
<a href="YOUR-WORKFORCE-LIST-LINK-HERE" class="emc-text-link">
Join the Workforce List →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-start-card">
<div class="emc-start-tag">Ready to participate</div>
<h3>Get Connected</h3>
<p>
Attend workforce events, field experiences, employer conversations,
educational sessions, and community activations.
</p>
<a href="YOUR-EVENTS-LINK-HERE" class="emc-text-link">
View Upcoming Events →
</a>
</article>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES -->
<section id="current" class="emc-section emc-current-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-current-header">
<div>
<div class="emc-section-label emc-label-light">
Current Workforce Opportunities
</div>
<h2>What you can access now</h2>
</div>
<div class="emc-updated-badge">Updated June 2026</div>
</div>
<div class="emc-opportunity-list">
<article class="emc-opportunity-item">
<div class="emc-opportunity-icon">01</div>
<div>
<h3>Workforce Email List</h3>
<p>
Receive workforce events, educational resources, employer
opportunities, career features, and pathway announcements.
</p>
</div>
<a href="YOUR-WORKFORCE-LIST-LINK-HERE" class="emc-light-link">
Join the List →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-opportunity-item">
<div class="emc-opportunity-icon">02</div>
<div>
<h3>Workforce Events and Field Experiences</h3>
<p>
Participate in community-based events that provide career exposure,
industry education, professional connections, and a closer look at
Maryland’s cannabis ecosystem.
</p>
</div>
<a href="YOUR-EVENTS-LINK-HERE" class="emc-light-link">
See Events →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-opportunity-item">
<div class="emc-opportunity-icon">03</div>
<div>
<h3>Higher Learning Labs</h3>
<p>
Access community-centered workforce education that combines career
guidance, practical learning, and real-world industry exposure.
</p>
</div>
<a href="YOUR-HIGHER-LEARNING-LABS-LINK-HERE" class="emc-light-link">
Learn More →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-opportunity-item">
<div class="emc-opportunity-icon">04</div>
<div>
<h3>Workforce Wednesday</h3>
<p>
Explore career guidance, industry roles, transferable skills,
employer insights, and practical next steps.
</p>
</div>
<a href="YOUR-WORKFORCE-CONTENT-LINK-HERE" class="emc-light-link">
Read Resources →
</a>
</article>
<article class="emc-opportunity-item">
<div class="emc-opportunity-icon">05</div>
<div>
<h3>Career and Employer Features</h3>
<p>
Learn directly from cannabis professionals through Roles & Reels,
career interviews, employer spotlights, and day-in-the-life content.
</p>
</div>
<a href="YOUR-SOCIAL-MEDIA-LINK-HERE" class="emc-light-link">
Follow EMC →
</a>
</article>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- HOW IT WORKS -->
<section class="emc-section">
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<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">How the Pathway Works</div>
<h2>Five steps toward a clearer career direction</h2>
</div>
<div class="emc-process-grid">
<div class="emc-process-step">
<span>1</span>
<h3>Join</h3>
<p>Sign up and tell us where you are in your career journey.</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-process-step">
<span>2</span>
<h3>Explore</h3>
<p>Review career resources, role information, and upcoming opportunities.</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-process-step">
<span>3</span>
<h3>Participate</h3>
<p>Attend an event, field experience, or employer conversation.</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-process-step">
<span>4</span>
<h3>Prepare</h3>
<p>Build your confidence, readiness, and understanding of expectations.</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-process-step">
<span>5</span>
<h3>Connect</h3>
<p>Pursue employers, openings, resources, and next-step opportunities.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="emc-disclaimer">
<strong>A clear and honest promise:</strong>
EMC does not guarantee employment. We provide education, exposure,
preparation, resources, and connections that help participants make
stronger career decisions and pursue opportunities with greater confidence.
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- CAREER AREAS -->
<section id="careers" class="emc-section emc-section-soft">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">Career Areas</div>
<h2>There is more than one way to work in cannabis.</h2>
<p>
Not every cannabis career requires handling cannabis. Your existing
skills may already belong in this ecosystem.
</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-career-grid">
<article class="emc-career-card">
<h3>Retail</h3>
<p>
Budtending, reception, inventory, patient advising, shift leadership,
store management, and customer experience.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-career-card">
<h3>Cultivation and Processing</h3>
<p>
Cultivation support, post-harvest, packaging, production, quality
assurance, and extraction support.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-career-card">
<h3>Business and Operations</h3>
<p>
Human resources, administration, compliance, project management,
finance, training, logistics, and operations.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-career-card">
<h3>Marketing and Community</h3>
<p>
Brand ambassador work, field marketing, content, events, photography,
social media, education, and community engagement.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-career-card">
<h3>Careers Beyond the Plant</h3>
<p>
Technology, construction, security, legal services, consulting,
accounting, design, transportation, and other ancillary services.
</p>
</article>
<article class="emc-career-card emc-career-featured">
<h3>Not sure where you fit?</h3>
<p>
Start with the EMC Cannabis Career Map and identify possible entry,
growth, and leadership roles.
</p>
<a href="YOUR-CAREER-MAP-LINK-HERE" class="emc-text-link">
View the Career Map →
</a>
</article>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- CURRENT EMPLOYEES -->
<section class="emc-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container emc-feature-box">
<div>
<div class="emc-section-label">Current Cannabis Professionals</div>
<h2>Already working in cannabis?</h2>
<p>
The Workforce Pathway is also designed to support professional growth,
leadership, visibility, networking, and career advancement.
</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-feature-list">
<div>Strengthen leadership and communication skills</div>
<div>Explore promotions and career pivots</div>
<div>Participate as a speaker, mentor, or featured professional</div>
<div>Share your journey through Roles & Reels</div>
<div>Build visibility across Maryland’s cannabis ecosystem</div>
</div>
<div>
<a class="emc-button emc-button-primary"
href="YOUR-WORKFORCE-LIST-LINK-HERE">
Stay Connected
</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- EMPLOYER PARTNERS -->
<section id="employers" class="emc-section emc-employer-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-section-heading emc-heading-light">
<div class="emc-section-label emc-label-light">
Employers and Industry Partners
</div>
<h2>Help build a stronger Maryland cannabis workforce.</h2>
<p>
EMC works with employers and industry partners to make career education
more accurate, accessible, and connected to real workplace needs.
</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-partner-grid">
<div>Hiring Partner</div>
<div>Workforce Event Host</div>
<div>Field Experience Host</div>
<div>Guest Speaker</div>
<div>Roles & Reels Feature</div>
<div>Training Partner</div>
<div>Workforce Sponsor</div>
<div>Referral Partner</div>
</div>
<p class="emc-partner-copy">
EMC is developing a committed group of employer partners to support
workforce programming, career exposure, job readiness, and industry
connections through 2026–2027.
</p>
<div class="emc-button-row">
<a class="emc-button emc-button-gold"
href="YOUR-EMPLOYER-PARTNER-LINK-HERE">
Become an Employer Partner
</a>
<a class="emc-button emc-button-outline-light"
href="YOUR-SPONSOR-LINK-HERE">
Sponsor Workforce Access
</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- COMMUNITY PARTNERS -->
<section class="emc-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container emc-two-column">
<div>
<div class="emc-section-label">Community and Referral Partners</div>
<h2>Bring workforce access to your community.</h2>
</div>
<div>
<p>
Workforce agencies, schools, libraries, neighborhood organizations,
colleges, and community groups can partner with EMC to share trusted
career information and connect residents to upcoming opportunities.
</p>
<div class="emc-inline-list">
<span>Host an introductory session</span>
<span>Refer residents to workforce events</span>
<span>Coordinate group participation</span>
<span>Sponsor transportation or participant access</span>
</div>
<a class="emc-button emc-button-secondary"
href="YOUR-COMMUNITY-PARTNER-LINK-HERE">
Discuss a Community Partnership
</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- OUTCOMES -->
<section class="emc-section emc-section-soft">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">What Participants Should Gain</div>
<h2>Clearer information. Stronger confidence. A real next step.</h2>
</div>
<div class="emc-outcome-grid">
<div>
<strong>Career Clarity</strong>
<p>A clearer understanding of cannabis roles and career paths.</p>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Transferable Skills</strong>
<p>Greater confidence identifying how past experience applies.</p>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Industry Readiness</strong>
<p>Awareness of workplace, professionalism, and compliance expectations.</p>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Real Exposure</strong>
<p>Direct access to employers, professionals, and industry environments.</p>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Practical Resources</strong>
<p>Tools and guidance for applications, interviews, and next steps.</p>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Personal Direction</strong>
<p>A specific action based on the participant’s current career stage.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- FAQ -->
<section id="faq" class="emc-section">
<div class="emc-workforce-container emc-faq-container">
<div class="emc-section-heading">
<div class="emc-section-label">Frequently Asked Questions</div>
<h2>What you should know before getting started</h2>
</div>
<div class="emc-faq-list">
<details>
<summary>Do I need cannabis experience?</summary>
<p>
No. Many people enter cannabis using experience from retail,
hospitality, agriculture, marketing, administration, operations,
security, customer service, and other industries.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Do I need a cannabis certification?</summary>
<p>
Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the employer and role. EMC
helps you understand what may be useful before you invest in training.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Does EMC place people in jobs?</summary>
<p>
EMC provides education, preparation, exposure, and employer
connections, but participation does not guarantee employment.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Is the Workforce Pathway free?</summary>
<p>
Joining the Workforce List and accessing many EMC resources is free.
Some workshops, field experiences, or special events may have a
clearly listed registration fee.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Is this only for Baltimore residents?</summary>
<p>
No. EMC is based in Baltimore and serves participants and partners
throughout Maryland.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Can my company share an opening?</summary>
<p>
Yes. Employers can share opportunities, participate in workforce
programming, host an experience, or discuss becoming an employer partner.
</p>
</details>
<details>
<summary>Can current cannabis employees participate?</summary>
<p>
Yes. The pathway also includes professional development, leadership,
visibility, networking, and career growth opportunities.
</p>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<!-- FINAL CTA -->
<section class="emc-final-cta">
<div class="emc-workforce-container">
<div class="emc-final-cta-inner">
<div>
<div class="emc-section-label emc-label-light">Take the Next Step</div>
<h2>Your next opportunity starts with one clear action.</h2>
<p>
Join the EMC Workforce List for career education, workforce events,
employer opportunities, and updates from across Maryland’s cannabis
ecosystem.
</p>
</div>
<div class="emc-button-row">
<a class="emc-button emc-button-gold"
href="YOUR-WORKFORCE-LIST-LINK-HERE">
Join the Workforce List
</a>
<a class="emc-button emc-button-outline-light"
href="YOUR-EVENTS-LINK-HERE">
View Upcoming Events
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="emc-final-partner-line">
Employers and community organizations:
<a href="https://www.exploremarylandcannabis.com/employers-partners">Partner with EMC →</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>