If we are still talking about Canada, a government subcontract would still be decent money and they might be getting benefits and holidays as part of the contract.

Dealing sounds like a P.I.T.A anyways: having to meet your supplier; then having potentially dodgy fucks expecting you to be available at all hours; smoking with aforementioned potentially dodgy fucks meaning you be high all the time. Some people wouldn't be interested in being friends/in a relationship with a dealer. Just sounds like a dead-end gig.

All that and not having to look over your shoulder might be worth it.

(No offence to any current dealers, I'm just saying it sounds kinda stressful.)