As of 2024, the research found that there are now 440,445 full-time employees in the legal cannabis industry. According to Vangst and Whitney, it’s a “sign that the business climate has begun to stabilize somewhat nationally after the turmoil of the past two years.” “Nationwide, annual cannabis sales increased to $28.8 billion in 2023, a 10.3% rise over 2022’s sales. That figure includes all state-regulated medical and adult-use sales, but does not include hemp-derived products. That’s good news for an industry that has endured strong headwinds,” reads the report.