Trimmer Adequacy 101

Perhaps you have caught wind that there are cannabis trimming opportunities in Humboldt County. Suppose you are like me, or any of the thousands of Americans and foreigners that heard of the money to be made in the cannabis industry, then you too have packed your bags to seek out opportunity. Travelers from Europe, South America, and all over the US come to Humboldt, Oregon, and Washington to get a slice of the profit in the cannabis industry. Some may go knowing a grower or two, but others won't know anyone and travel blindly up the mountain. Let's discuss fears, some legal opportunities, and a thorough checklist of what to bring and what to expect. Last but not least we will talk about payment, and the time it takes to process cannabis.

Is it dangerous? It can be dangerous. Driving a car is also dangerous. It matters who you talk to and what you attract. Networking is the key to landing the perfect trim position. First, inquire with friends about any trim opportunities they might know. Growers prefer trimmers over machines because the bud is more presentable and less tarnished. Integrating into a grower's community and talking to people over a joint or even in a coffee shop can open up opportunities. Asking them how big their operation is and seeking out opportunities with smaller farms will likely be a safer bet. I would never step foot on a guerilla farm. They most likely will pay you the same and won't care about your well-being. I recommend that you insist on being paid regularly so that you don't feel that you might not be compensated. No matter what farm you decide to go with, never talk about the farm, take pictures, or give out locations without the grower's permission.

Legal work is abundant, and it's not that different from working for a farmer you meet on the side of the road; besides, you will get a paycheck that charges taxes. This might be the best opportunity for someone new in the community, and some offer living arrangements similar to if you were working for Farmer Joe. Local staffing agencies in Eureka include Green Ox, Dark Staffing Solutions, and Emerald Employment. These jobs can be easily found in your chosen destination by researching Trim Jobs/Cannabis Staffing Agencies.

However you decide to initiate your adventure, there is money to be made in the end. To keep a job and be a worthwhile employee, it helps to be prepared. First, know your living arrangements. If you're not sure, bring a sleeping bag and a pillow at the least. You may want to bring a tent or tarp. I always bring my own cup, plate, and silverware. This means that you are also responsible for cleaning your dishes, at least if you bring your own you know what is yours. Bring food up the mountain. Don't expect anyone to feed you; that is not part of your pay. I eat oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and soup for dinner. You don't need a lot to cook these things, and there are many variations of what kind of food you can pack, but this is a simple day worth of food that doesn't need a refrigerator. Next, bring your own scissors! Yes, they will have scissors. No, you will not want to fight the other trimmers for your favorite pair. It's unnecessary to bring oil/ alcohol to clean the scissors; the farmer should provide this, but having two of your own scissors that fit you comfortably will make your experience much more enjoyable. The farmer will also provide for you a trim tray, so no need to worry about that. As you work, always mark your finished bag with your initials or a symbol. Mine usually looks like a star with a circle around it or TAZ.

Expect to work long days. Anyone can do this job, but not everyone wants to do this job. Try not to complain that your back hurts, your hands hurt, and your mind is going in circles; no big deal, so is everyone else's. The more you focus on your work, the faster you will trim. This doesn't mean you shouldn't talk or watch a movie, but these are the two things that slow down trimmers the most, so do it with caution. All the trimmers might not like you. In any work environment, you may run into a coworker that doesn't like you, put on your headphones, and focus on you. Always make the grower happy. Clean up your area, be polite, and follow the rules. If they want you to keep more leaf, keep more leaf. If they want it trimmed tight, trim tight. If they want you to cut the stem in a slant, do it. By not complaining and doing the extra request the grower has, you will find you trim more! Because at the end of the day, all the trimmers that wanted to cut corners are going to have to go over their work and fix it, and you, my friend who listened the first time, won't have to.

Everyone trims at their own pace. There is no right or wrong answer. It would be best if you weren't trimming a half-pound a day. That makes me think you're screwing around. A pound a day is ideal, but you might not reach your target depending on the buds. Nowadays, your payment for trimming a pound is going for $75-$200. I work from 8 am-10 pm with three 45 min breaks and trim between a pound and a pound and a half. When the weed has gone through a machine, you might get paid on the low end, $75. This is the lowest I have ever been paid, and he let me keep the trim. A year-round job might offer $125, and a job that values your work may pay $150. Now a grower with great bud and can sell it for its worth will pay $200. The best part about this deal is that you already know the bud is good, and you can probably trim up to two pounds a day. I have made a lively hood of trimming marijuana, and it has helped me get through community college, where I spent one season on the farm and one semester at school and rotated like this. You can do it if you put your mind to it. You may not come out a baller, but you can spend time in nature and save money to move forward in life without paying living expenses.

Just a few hints, ask how they want the bud trimmed, cut out the mold, and don't hedge the nugs so that your losing product—Buck down your nugs off the stem before trimming. Keep your untrimmed to the left of the tray and the trim to the right, and place your final product into a fresh bag. Don't eat over your work, and always stay positive.