The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing industry in the world and at the forefront of that growing list is becoming a budtender. A budtender is a marijuana and cannabis, dispensary specialist.
They possess knowledge of different cannabis strains, different consumption methods and the type of marijuana that fits your needs. They are retail professionals with experience stretching to various sectors of the marijuana industry.
If you’re wondering how to become a budtender, you’re in the right place.
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What is Needed to Become a Budtender?
1. Possessing a Vast Knowledge of the Product
To appeal and be of help to your customers, you need to know everything there is to know about marijuana. You should know about
- Consumption method (the difference between smoking and vaping)
- marijuana slang
- product description
- most in-demand and highest selling products
- strain genetics
- Specific product effects and quality
- Marijuana prices, weight conversions and measurements
The more you know, the more help you will be to your customers and the more value you will hold to the marijuana dispensary. You should be able to advise newbies on the product and consumption method that suits them most and advise the more experienced marijuana users on changes to make to their marijuana consumption.
Budtenders should have some retail experience to work with a cash register and a credit card machine. If you start working in the marijuana dispensary as a receptionist, it will help you gain knowledge and experience to work as a budtender.
2. Predict Emerging Industry Trends
Knowing what is going on around, you might be the difference between having a successful business and a collapsing one. New cannabis products and strains are always emerging, and you need to stay ahead of your consumers on the trends.
Different states have different rules and regulations being passed every day. You need to be on the lookout to ensure whatever you are selling is legal in your state. It would be best to study blogs and influencers to know different advertising and marketing strategies and how to adapt to local regulations.
3. Have Excellent Customer Service
A budtender is at the forefront of the business hence how you interact with your customers will determine how much business you attract. Having excellent customer service will make your clients refer you to their friends and for them to always come back. There is no better marketing strategy than a reference from your customers.
This ensures you always have a constant flow of clients.
You should be able to answer your customers’ questions with knowledge and humour. As a budtender, you should listen to your customers’ request to understand their needs and recommend a product that will leave them satisfied.
You can have all the knowledge on marijuana and cannabis, but without reputable customer service, you will miss out on that budtending job.
Prepare for Your Interview
Preparing for your interview is the key to landing that job. You will need to learn the products that dispensary offers. You will be better off if you also studied the companies code of conduct to arrive for the interview knowing what to expect.
You also need to look good to give yourself a chance to get that job. Physical appearance is vital as you are the face of the dispensary; you represent the company. Companies require you to maintain a clean and professional appearance, and doing this when going to the interview puts you in an excellent position to be their next budtender.
You should also carry with you your budtending resume and academic qualification papers. Organise your papers and documents in an orderly manner. It will show your interviewers that you have excellent organisation skills. Don’t forget to list any other skills, or experiences in your resume as they might be relevant.
Be Different From the Competition
The essential requirement to be a budtender in most places is just your high school diploma, but it doesn’t hurt to have extra qualifications. Everyone will have that high school diploma to raise your bar and give yourself a better chance of getting the job you will need to be different. You need to add more to your resume. If you experience levels doesn’t get you that job then let your desire to learn and commitment to work make them choose you over your competitors.
Now that you’re informed on what it takes to be a budtender, you will need to know what the job description entails, the responsibilities and roles.
- Budtenders are required to give newbies and experienced cannabis users a positive experience. In today’s market, most marijuana dispensaries deal with cash only transactions so you must be good in maths. You will need to calculate the daily earnings correctly.
- You will need to keep all of your patients’ records in a way that is easy to access. Here is where organisational skills come in. You should not be spending the whole time looking for a patient’s records instead of attending to them. The records will help you know the product that works best with your customer.
- As a budtender, you are required to comply with the states laws regulations. They need to learn the laws and regulations regarding the sale of marijuana in the state to adhere effectively. You are also in charge of achieving the dispensaries sales goals.
- In some companies, advertising, marketing and handling of social media accounts falls to the budtender. It is in addition to other administrative duties as well as security in the dispensary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It hard to become a budtender?
A budtending job has its own set of unique challenges as it is not like any other typical job. It has the same challenges as any other job and its unique problems. The most challenging part is sending off a client who needs some weed because of state laws.
A patient might come into the store in need of medicine, but your hands are tied because either he/she doesn’t possess the necessary documents. Sometimes the patient is from another state, and your state laws prohibit the selling of marijuana to people from out of state.
The other big challenge is the constant change associated with the marijuana industry. As it is a relatively new industry highly regulated but different state and national laws, it can become very hectic to follow the industry’s changes. If you delay for even a bit, you will find yourself left behind.
Is It hard to get a job at a dispensary?
The marijuana industry is growing fast, which means a large amount of job creation. This, in return, also means increased competition for dispensary jobs. You need to have a clean criminal record before getting employment as a budtender. It is a requirement by most dispensaries.
It is possible to get a job at a dispensary, but you will need to be qualified, hardworking and committed to your appointment. You can also start from the bottom and work your way up to that dispensary job.
How do I become a good budtender?
To succeed as a budtender, you should not be one because you have a passion for cannabis. Budtending needs you to be concerned about the client to help them effectively. Here are a few tips that might help you to be an extraordinary budtender:
- Comply with state laws and regulations. The cannabis industry is an industry with a very thin line. Overlooking a small detail might get you on the wrong side of the law and risk the closure of your dispensary.
- Know your customer. A good budtender understands his/her customers’ needs and gets them the product that gives them the best experience and suits their lifestyle.
- Sell thoughtfully. It is not just selling for the sake of it in the cannabis industry. You sell a product that will help your customer and not just to clear out your stock. This is what makes a good budtender.
- Don’t look like a stoner. People have stereotyped the cannabis industry to be made of stoners. It would be best if you strived to look professional, giving you an edge in the industry.
Is budtending a good job?
Being a budtender is one of the highly in-demand jobs in the legal cannabis industry. It requires a large amount of knowledge and skills in the industry. It is a good-paying job with many responsibilities and only a needed entry-level certification. With budding, you can also cross over to other job industries with the knowledge you acquired.
How much do budtenders make?
Budtenders make different amounts depending on the state, amount of responsibilities and the dispensary.
On average, a budtender makes $33,789 per year. The budtending job is usually paid at $13 per hour by most companies.
Conclusion
A career in budtending is a viable career for anyone looking to get into the legal cannabis industry. If you have knowledge and expertise in cannabis, then this is the industry for you. It requires you to be good at research and read a lot to keep up with the changes in the industry.
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