As the CEO of a company in the cannabis industry, I know how difficult it can be to both break into this industry and find knowledgeable, experienced workers to help fill out the ranks.
Because while it’s important, the truth is that it takes more than just a passion for the plant to be successful. This is a legitimate industry with its own unique challenges and specialized knowledge, and while yeah, it’s definitely fun, we’re still looking for dedicated, talented people to make it work.
So, while many people want to be in cannabis, not everyone has the skillset we need. And it’s time to fix that.
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The Higher Potential Scholarship, powered by DaySavers, the most innovative and transparent smoking accessories brand on the market, was created to bridge that gap. Working with a coalition of 20 top industry brands, scientists, educators, and insiders, this one-of-a-kind initiative offers more than $25,000 worth of cannabis-focused awards to aspiring professionals, ranging from cash awards and tuition to event passes and hands-on mentorships.
So whether applicants are headed to college, fresh out of school, pivoting careers, or just have a love for the plant, this scholarship was designed to help folks take that critical first step.
Not Just Money for School
At its core, the Higher Potential Scholarship is driven by a powerhouse collective of industry insiders committed to dismantling barriers, sharing knowledge, and supporting the next generation of cannabis leadership.
Each Coalition partner offered something unique, whether it be education, guidance, or real-world exposure and access to industry events, making this more than a single prize. It’s literally a launchpad to cannabis careers, no matter which part of the industry an applicant seeks to make their mark.
Here’s what each of the Coalition members brought to the table:
- DaySavers: $1,420 cash grand prize, plus one opportunity scholarship
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Educational Partners:
- SUNY Niagara: 10 Cannabis course scholarships plus 5 SUNY Cannabis Conference tickets;
- Ganjier: Three free seats to their Product Specialist certification program;
- Operator Academy: 25 Tuition-free educational seats with starter toolkits;
- Veterinary Cannabis Society: Eight Seats to their Veterinary Cannabis Course; and
- Green CulturED: Five tuition-free seats per state to their Responsible Vendor Training or a Workforce Development Program of the applicant’s choice.
Industry Access and Networking:
- Benzinga Cannabis (IgniteIt): Five Event passes to 2025 & 2026 shows (21+),
- NECANN: Two Event passes to NJ, NY, Boston, MD, and VT events (21+);
- Marijuana Venture: Two Passes to Interchange events, mentorships, and media features in publications (21+ for events);
- Smoke Temple: Four Passes to MJBizCon 2025 (21+);
- Fill-a Blunts: Four Pairs of event passes to NECANN NJ and Champs TX/FL (21+);
- CannaCon: Five Pairs of event passes to CannaCon MN & WA in 2025, plus 2026 shows (21+); and
- The Cannabis Alliance: A pair of tickets to the 2026 Washington Cannabis Summit (21+).
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Professional Development:
- Custom Cones USA: Two Mentorships with founders Harrison Bard or Fredrik Rading;
- Cannabis & Tech Today: Consulting services, internships, tickets to partner organization events & subscriptions from C&TT;
- The Mycelia Group: Two Strategic cannabis business development opportunities with founder & CEO Jessica Ferranti;
- Connecticut Ombudsman: Five In-state mentorships & three out-of-state mentorships;
- The Network of Applied Pharmacognosy: Two Mentorships with cannabis scientists and researchers, Dr. Miyabe Shields or Dr. Riley Kirk;
- Sage Advice: Three Six-month professional memberships;
- CannaSexual: Two Sex & cannabis mentorships with founder and award-winning sexologist Ashley Manta;
- The Canna Boss Babes: Multiple consulting & mentorship sessions with CEO and Host of The Canna Boss Babes podcast, Ishqa Hillman;
- Camp Laughing Grass: Two Mentorships in cannabis tourism with Trinity Madison;
- Ganjactivist: Access to media opportunities, events, workshops, The Legacy Project documentary, events, and cross-platform promotion.
- CannaSiteCo.: A complimentary modern cannabis website package with a supporting website consultation session; and
- Women Employed in Cannabis: Two complementary Individual or Business Memberships, available exclusively to women-identifying applicants.
A Scholarship for Everyone
Many of the top names in the cannabis industry, and in the Higher Potential Scholarship Coalition, took unconventional paths to success, which is why the Higher Potential Scholarship does not focus on traditional application criteria like high SAT scores or a polished résumé.
There is no GPA minimum and no degree required.
The application process was simple. Applicants only needed:
- A passion for cannabis;
- A vision for their place in the industry; and
- A short personal statement describing their background, ambitions, and connection with the cannabis industry, or to the plant in general.
That’s all it took. Really.
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Applicants were able to choose the awards they wanted to be considered for and then tell us why they should be chosen. The top applicant is set to receive the $1,420 Grand Prize from DaySavers and their top choice of Coalition opportunity awards, to be announced once applications are reviewed following the September 1 deadline.
Remaining winners will be thoughtfully matched to awards that align with their interests.
There are more than 150 total prizes up for grabs, so the chances of getting a foot in the door of the industry are pretty good. Whether applicants were aiming for tuition support, mentorship, or industry event access, this was a moment to step forward.
Built by the Industry, For the Future
The organizations behind this scholarship reflect every corner of cannabis, from entrepreneurs and scientists to educators, media makers, and activists, all united to open doors for the next generation.
For many, this scholarship became the sign they needed to start their cannabis career journeys.
Applications opened in July 2025, offering aspiring professionals a chance to reach their Higher Potential and shape the future of the cannabis industry.
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for the content.