Community Spotlight: Christy Essex on Elevating the Cannabis Workforce

Christy Essex’s path into cannabis started back in 2013, long before the industry looked the way it does today. She was paying close attention following legislative reform, collecting signatures, and spending time educating herself on the plant and the policies shaping its future.

Over time, she saw a clear opportunity to bring her workforce solutions background into the cannabis space. That vision became Se7en Staffing & Employment Solutions, where cannabis workforce coaching is now at the heart of the work.

What’s been most rewarding for Christy is the people. The cannabis industry is full of collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose, and she’s inspired daily by the individuals working to build something sustainable across the country. Being part of an industry that actively supports one another and continues to evolve has been deeply meaningful.

Coming up alongside the industry has also allowed Christy to think creatively about how to add value. By blending strategic vision with operational discipline, she’s helped teams grow, strengthen, and succeed in a highly regulated environment.

How She Shows Up for the Community

At Se7en Staffing, community comes first. The company is committed to strengthening the cannabis industry through education, workforce development, and long-term sustainability.

A major focus is helping people understand how to enter and thrive in the cannabis workforce. That means encouraging curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn every part of the business. The team also provides coaching and second-chance employment support for individuals impacted by the War on Drugs, including those with prior cannabis-related offenses, helping them build compliant and sustainable careers.

Se7en Staffing also works closely with professionals transitioning into cannabis from other industries, helping them translate existing skills into cannabis-specific roles. On the operator side, they support new and emerging facilities with workforce consulting around onboarding, retention, and long-term workforce planning, so businesses are built to last, not just launch.

Christy believes that community and collaboration are essential in cannabis. Because the industry is still highly regulated and evolving, companies that actively work with peers, workforce partners, regulators, and their local communities are better positioned to stay compliant, innovative, and resilient.

One example of this impact is Se7en Staffing’s work with individuals who faced employment barriers due to past cannabis-related convictions. By coaching candidates on resumes, interviews, and compliance expectations and educating employers on fair-chance hiring practices, the team helped people secure stable jobs, rebuild confidence, and create real career pathways.

That dual impact, empowering individuals while strengthening compliant, reliable workforces reflects Se7en Staffing’s commitment to a more inclusive and resilient cannabis industry.

What’s Next

Looking forward, Christy and her team are focused on continuing to elevate the cannabis workforce. Their goals include expanding workforce education, career-transition coaching, and second-chance employment initiatives, while deepening partnerships with operators, regulators, and community organizations.

To support this growth, the team is investing in training, compliance education, and data-driven workforce strategies that improve retention, performance, and stability. They’re also building scalable systems and playbooks that allow them to support both new operators and established businesses as the industry matures.

As cannabis continues to evolve with more regulatory clarity, consolidation, and competition, businesses will be challenged to move beyond rapid expansion and focus on building strong, well-trained teams. Se7en Staffing is positioning itself ahead of that shift by prioritizing education, people development, and long-term workforce strategy.

Her Advice for Leaders

Christy believes success in cannabis starts with understanding the fundamentals: compliance, operations, and the people who make the business run. Leaders must stay open to learning at every level and be willing to ask questions instead of assuming past experience automatically applies.

Just as important is building trust with employees, community partners, and regulators and leading with transparency and integrity. Leaders who invest in their teams, create clear systems, and foster adaptability are far better positioned for long-term success.

The biggest lesson Christy has learned is simple but powerful: people not just strategy determine whether a business lasts. Regulations and markets will change, but a well-supported, educated workforce creates resilience through uncertainty.

Final Thoughts

At its core, Se7en Staffing exists to be a strategic workforce coaching partner, helping the cannabis community grow responsibly, collaboratively, and sustainably as the industry continues to evolve.

Connect with Christy Essex

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