Yes, Automation Is Killing Jobs – Challenges with a Positive Twist

First and foremost, labor has always been one of the most expensive and unstable parts of cannabis production. Many facilities spend 30 to 40 percent of their total operating budgets on labor, often for tasks that add little long-term value. High turnover, sometimes exceeding 50 percent annually, creates an endless cycle of hiring, onboarding, and retraining. It’s a system that drains resources and stalls growth.

Automation breaks that cycle. When one trained technician can achieve the same output as several manual workers, the financial incentive to automate becomes obvious. Operators see measurable improvements in speed, product uniformity, and overall reliability. Those gains come at a cost, however, as some manual positions disappear. The economic logic is clear – efficiency replaces redundancy, and the structure of the workforce changes permanently.

The shift toward automation doesn’t eliminate work entirely; it transforms it. The people who remain on the floor are now managing systems instead of performing repetitive motions. They monitor equipment, track production data, and maintain uptime. These roles require technical understanding, precision, and accountability. They also pay more and tend to last longer.

For many workers, this change represents a turning point. Facilities that offer training and upskilling opportunities are seeing more loyalty from their staff and fewer performance issues. The industry is learning that smaller, better-trained teams often outperform large, inexperienced ones. This new model of manufacturing is lean, data-driven, and built around specialized knowledge instead of muscle memory.

Automation doesn’t only replace labor; it sets a new standard for how facilities operate. Machines produce predictable results and generate real-time data, allowing operators to identify inefficiencies and improve processes continuously. The consistency of automated systems reduces product loss, minimizes downtime, and improves compliance with state and federal regulations.

The benefits extend to the workforce as well. Automated systems create safer environments by reducing repetitive strain and exposure to volatile substances. Employees spend more time problem-solving and less time performing physically demanding or monotonous tasks. In practice, this leads to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover, even within smaller teams.

As a result, automation will continue to reduce headcount in cannabis manufacturing. The entry-level, repetitive jobs that once filled entire departments are fading. In their place, new opportunities are emerging for employees to evolve and learn technical skills, process knowledge, and adaptability. These are career paths, not temporary roles.

For operators, this transition is not only about cost savings but about building stability into their operations. As the industry matures, facilities that embrace automation will attract skilled workers who want to grow with a company rather than moving on every few months. Those that resist will continue to face the same problems that have limited progress since legalization: inconsistent output, razor-thin margins, and a revolving door of employees.

The truth is automation will eliminate certain jobs. That fact cannot be avoided. But it will also create a stronger foundation for the people who remain. Automation allows companies to operate more efficiently, pay better wages, and invest in training that turns employees into long-term contributors.

The cannabis industry has reached the point where it must choose between clinging to inefficiency or embracing evolution. Automation is not about replacing people—it’s about building a workforce that matches the scale and professionalism the industry has always aimed for.