Up to 100,000 euros a year for a job as a cannabis tester

Up to 100,000 euros a year for a job as a cannabis tester – this headline has not only reached the scene, but also major media outlets such as ProSieben Galileo. The idea of testing flowers, evaluating strains and receiving a six-figure salary in return sounds like a dream to many. But there is more behind the attention than just an unusual job offer. It’s about a market worth billions, medical responsibility and an industry that is just starting to really take off in Germany. Would you like to work in the cannabis industry? Here you can find our jobs x CannaZen.

A dream job with great responsibility

The advertised position of cannabis sommelier at CannaMedical attracted over 1,200 applicants. Galileo accompanied two of them – Melanie Hermann and Dominik Benedens – during the application process. It was clear from the outset that this job is not only extraordinary, but also involves enormous responsibility.

Testers have to check every new delivery, assess the aroma, classify the effect and decide whether the quality meets the strict requirements. As a carton of flowers can quickly reach a value of millions, this job is anything but a simple tasting job.

There is also the medical aspect. Cannabis has been legal in Germany for patients with a prescription since 2017, and over 60 diseases can be treated with it. Testers must therefore not only recognize subtle differences in smell and taste, but also understand what effect a strain can have on chronic pain, depression or other illnesses. Those who work in this field are therefore responsible for the safety and health of many patients. This makes the job challenging and at the same time highly relevant for the entire healthcare system.

Galileo contribution on Pro7:

Working in a growing industry

At first glance, the workplace looks more like a high-security warehouse than a modern workplace. Concrete, barred gates and cameras dominate everyday life – prescribed by the state to protect the valuable goods. Inside, tons of cannabis flowers are stored, which are distributed to pharmacies throughout Germany after testing. These dimensions alone make it clear what role cannabis now plays in medicine (cultivation according to GMP). For many applicants, it was surprising to see the extent to which the business is already operating today.

The role of testers is also important internationally. CannaMedical works with producers in Canada, Portugal and other countries that operate huge greenhouses. Up to 15 trips a year are part of the job to check cultivation, quality and processing on site. This makes it clear that the cannabis sommelier is not just a taster, but also a link between international production and the German market. Germany is already the largest market for medicinal cannabis in Europe, and by 2028, medical demand alone could be worth up to eight billion euros. These figures show that an industry is growing up here that could play a similar role to the pharmaceutical industry in the future.

A demanding application process

Simply liking cannabis is not enough to get the job. Galileo shows how strict the selection process is. In the application process, candidates not only had to use their nose, but also prove their knowledge in writing. This included questions such as:

• What parts of the plant are there?
• How is the THC content measured?
• And what medicinal effects do different varieties have?

In an olfactory test, applicants should also classify the aromas and recognize typical terpene profiles. Only those with specialist knowledge and a keen sense of smell can pass.

At first glance, the high salary of 100,000 euros seems like a dream. However, the responsibility associated with this position makes it clear that it is not an easy job.

Testers help decide which products reach the market and which do not. They evaluate quality, safety and effectiveness and therefore bear both economic and health responsibility. For Melanie and Dominik, the opportunity to enter this industry is real. For the viewers, the main thing that remains is the realization that cannabis is no longer a marginal topic in Germany, but a serious industry with great potential.

Would you like to work in the cannabis industry?

Here you can find our

• Jobs x CannaZen