Cory Lake is among countless Minnesotans preparing their picks and shovels for the economic gold rush that is expected to come with marijuana legalization.
The Minnetonka insurance agent wants to offer his services to growers, manufacturers and dispensaries who need coverage once they're up and running. He and other professional services workers — like cannabis accountants, lawyers and consultants — are eager to capitalize on Minnesota's new marijuana market.
States that legalized recreational marijuana have experienced a major job boom from the creation of an industry extending far beyond new "budtenders" and grow technicians. Ancillary jobs that support the cannabis market, but don't deal directly with seed-to-sale operations, will be critical to the growth of Minnesota's industry in the coming years.
