What You Need to Know About Becoming a Budtender

The Legalization of Medical Marijuana

It’s an exciting time in the medical industry with the increase in alternative medicines such as medical marijuana. The legalization of cannabis is creating an entirely new segment of jobs that didn’t exist previously. If you are considering a career in the healthcare field, becoming a cannabis dispensary technician may be just what you are looking for.

As marijuana becomes legal in more and more states, every day, more cannabis companies are popping up, offering high-demand career opportunities. With the cannabis industry growing at such a fast pace, now is an excellent time to pursue an education that can help you prepare for a well-paying job with plenty of opportunities for advancement.

Although cannabis is still banned at the federal level in the United States, as of October 2019, medical marijuana has been legalized and is regulated in over 30 states. According to Marijuana Business Daily, the acceptance of medical marijuana has led to approximately 215,000 new jobs, and by 2023, that number could grow to 475,000.

Cannabis Dispensary Technician

One of the many career options in this growing industry is budtender, also known as a cannabis dispensary technician. According to Payscale.com, the median salary for a budtender in 2018 was $32,000. In addition to hourly wages or a set salary, many budtenders also earn tips.

This job requires a wide range of skills, from customer service abilities to a scientific understanding of the products that are sold in a dispensary. Budtenders need to be comfortable working with people to help them understand different strains of cannabis, as well as the varying levels and combinations of THC and CBD.

Marijuana dispensaries hire budtenders as their salespeople with the expectation that they will be product experts. A budtender is expected to know the current marijuana industry trends by researching products, attending trade shows, and learning about partner dispensaries. Budtenders must also ensure compliance with the local laws governing marijuana usage.

Part of the job is to ensure customer satisfaction by helping customers select the appropriate products for their needs. This means that as a budtender, not only do you need to know your products, but you also need to learn about your customers so you can make appropriate recommendations. You have to be comfortable asking people questions about their budget, lifestyle, and history of marijuana use.

How to Become a Budtender

There are several courses available to become a certified Cannabis Dispensary Technician. Classes may be offered in a traditional classroom setting as well as online. At cannabiscareer.com, we off a Cannabis Dispensary Technician Course that covers all areas of knowledge, including botany, biology, history, safety, and even customer service. Our goal is to establish a high level of comfort in a cannabis dispensary, which leads to great experiences for you as an employee and for your customers as well.

The course consists of 11 modules, each containing a variety of media to learn, including text, videos, and current articles. There are quizzes along the way to reinforce important information and an exam at the end of each module.

1. History of Cannabis and the Cannabis Dispensary Technician
2. Basic Infection Control and Safety in the Cannabis Dispensary
3. The Endocannabinoid System
4. Phytocannabinoids
5. Pharmaceuticals (synthetic cannabinoids)
6. The Human Body and Responsive Conditions to Medical Cannabis
7. Modes of Delivery, Routes of Administration and Dosages
8. Effectively Communicating as a Cannabis Dispensary Technician
9. Risk Factors, Adverse Effects, and Appropriate Responses to Complications Associated with Cannabis Distribution and Use
10. Legal and Ethical Issues Related to the Distribution and Use of Cannabis
11. The Future of Cannabis Research

Get the Knowledge You Need

If you are a people person with an interest in the growing medical marijuana industry, a career as a budtender may be just the job you are looking for. This industry is expected to experience strong job growth as medical marijuana becomes an accepted alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. One of the essential skills you need as a budtender is product knowledge and industry knowledge. At cannabiscareer.com, we can make sure you get the education you need for a successful career as a Cannabis Dispensary Technician.