Vangst vs Hemp Temps: Which Cannabis Staffing Partner Fits?
Both companies help cannabis businesses hire — but they do it in fundamentally different ways. Here’s an honest look at the platform model vs the staffing-agency model, so you can pick the right one for your operation.
Disclosure:this comparison is published by Hemp Temps. We’ve kept it factual and linked sources where possible — Vangst is a real competitor with real strengths, and pretending otherwise wouldn’t help you make a good decision. Competitor details are based on publicly available information as of July 2026; where Vangst doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Vangst is the cannabis industry’s best-known hiring platform: a national job marketplace founded in Denver in 2015, with direct-hire recruiting services, a temporary staffing arm, and the annual Cannabis Salary Guide that much of the industry cites. If you’re posting a role to a broad national candidate pool, Vangst is built for exactly that.
Hemp Tempsis a staffing agency, cannabis-only since 2013. We don’t run a job board — we recruit, screen, train, and payroll the workers ourselves, then place them at licensed operations in Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, usually within 24 hours. For temp placements, we’re the employer of record: payroll taxes, workers comp, and employment liability sit on our books, not yours.
The short version: Vangst helps you find candidates; Hemp Temps hands you a vetted, trained, payrolled workforce. Which one you need depends on your state, your timeline, and how much of the employment overhead you want to own.
Side by Side
| Feature | Hemp Temps | Vangst |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | 2015 |
| Core model | Staffing agency — temp, temp-to-perm, direct hire | Hiring platform — job board, direct-hire recruiting, GIGS temp arm |
| Coverage | Deep in CO, MI, OK, NM | National job marketplace |
| Published pricing | 43% all-in markup, posted publicly | Not publicly listed |
| Temp-to-perm conversion fee | $0 — convert any time | Not publicly listed |
| Background checks | CBadge cannabis-industry screening included for every worker | Varies by engagement |
| Pre-placement training | Hemp Temps University (HTU) compliance training | Not publicly listed |
| Employer of record (temp) | Yes — payroll, taxes, workers comp carried by Hemp Temps | Yes, via its temp staffing arm |
| Salary data | Role pay ranges published on role pages | Well-known annual Cannabis Salary Guide |
| Contracts / minimums | None | Not publicly listed |
Competitor details from public sources as of July 2026. “Not publicly listed” means Vangst doesn’t publish the number — contact them for a quote.
The Honest Verdict
Choose Vangst if…
- You’re hiring outside Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, or New Mexico
- You want to post roles to a large national candidate marketplace
- You’re running an executive or specialized direct-hire search with national reach
- You want industry salary benchmarking data from their annual guide
Choose Hemp Temps if…
- You operate in CO, MI, OK, or NM and need shifts covered fast — most roles fill in 24 hours
- You want one published all-in rate (43%) instead of a custom quote
- You want every worker background-checked (CBadge) and HTU-trained before day one
- You want the option to convert temps to permanent hires with a $0 conversion fee
- You’d rather not be the employer of record for flexible labor
Plenty of operators use both: a platform for national salaried searches, and a staffing partner for the hourly workforce that actually runs the floor. See our services and transparent pricing, or compare more options in our guide to Vangst alternatives.
Vangst vs Hemp Temps FAQ
What is the main difference between Vangst and Hemp Temps?
Vangst is a national cannabis hiring platform — a job marketplace with direct-hire recruiting and a temp arm. Hemp Temps is a staffing-first agency: it recruits, screens, trains, and payrolls workers itself, acting as employer of record for temp placements in Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Is Vangst or Hemp Temps cheaper?
Vangst does not publish pricing, so a direct comparison is not possible. Hemp Temps publishes its full rate — a 43% all-in markup on worker pay covering payroll taxes, workers comp, screening, and admin, with no setup fees, contract minimums, or temp-to-perm buyout fees.
Which is better for a dispensary that needs staff this week?
If you operate in Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, Hemp Temps maintains a pre-screened local talent pool and fills most dispensary roles within 24 hours. Outside those states, a national platform like Vangst is likely the more practical option.
Are Hemp Temps workers background checked?
Yes — every Hemp Temps placement passes a cannabis-specific background check through CBadge before their first shift, checked against state disqualifying criteria (MED, OMMA, CRA, CCD).
Need Cannabis Staff in CO, MI, OK, or NM?
Pre-screened, HTU-trained workers placed in 24 hours. One published rate. No contracts.
