Majority of Nevada’s Cannabis Industry White and Male

The majority of Nevada’s cannabis industry workers are white and male, according to a survey by the state Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB). The agency found that 52% of the 15,936 cannabis industry workers who completed the survey identified as white, with 17% identifying as Hispanic, and 12% identifying as Black. Fifty-five percent of respondents identified as male with 39% identifying as female.

Survey responses came from all levels of the industry, including dispensary employees, cultivators, company owners, board members, and other executives. The CCB said that it received a near 100% response rate from industry executives defined as the owners, officers, or board members of cannabis businesses. In all, there are more than 23,000 people in Nevada with an active agent card which allows them to work in the industry.

The vast majority of executives that completed the survey identified as white: about 60% of owners or managers, 75% of board members, 80% of executive board members, and 70% of company officers. Black people comprised 17.65% of officer roles and 12.86% of managers and owners identified as Hispanic or Latino but no other racial demographic broke 10% in c-suite roles.

About 45% of industry workers in Nevada said they were between 25- and 34-years old – the largest cohort – followed by 35- to 44-year-olds (18%), 18- to 24-year-olds (15%), 45- to 54-year-olds (10%), and 55- to 64-year-olds (5%).

In the report, the CCB’s executive director Tyler Klimas indicated the agency would use the data to “prioritize diversity and inclusivity in any new licensing rounds and future pilot programs.”