18 Comments
 

While you may pick up some skills, I don't think the skills you pick up will be that translatable to other banks.

Much of banking is governed by federal laws. Particularly moving money around.

Moving money around is a big part of investment banking.

Federal laws cause problems for money moving around to support cannabis businesses.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

It's interesting but I see it as a huge gamble. I'm sure you'd have some awesome experience for your b-school apps, but I feel it could potential disqualify you from many positions if you were to look for work outside of the cannabis market. I really don't know how a typical HR department would view past experience working with cannabis companies so definitely don't take my word for it.

That said, I wouldn't advise against committing to the cannabis industry if you are that interested in it. If we see a wave of legalizations the industry will have serious demand for investment professionals. There's definitely a great deal of money to be made in that space.

 

you should be s'toked' to have an opportunity like that. you're going 'high' places.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

Unfortunately you'll find that they're going to be very small PE/VC type shops. The big problem is that federal regulations make it risky to operate inter-state if you're involved in the Marijuana business, possibly resulting in asset seizure (which any broke government is pre-disposed to err on the side of). Consequently any shop that does this is going to have their operations only within Colorado which isn't the best market for IB.

 

On a legitimate note, I would say go for it.

Marijuana is going to most likely be recreationally allowed in the next 15 years (if not sooner) and medical will keep popping up. You'd be able to carve out a very niche skillset (even though the basics aren't niche) and you could be a leading expert when it all explodes.

The Baked Banker. That should be on every business card you have.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

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"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL

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