Posted On: May 2, 2024

What Is a Budtender?

You wouldn’t be alone in mistaking a budtender for a bartender. After all, their names are pretty similar. However, instead of serving alcohol, a budtender dispenses medicinal or recreational cannabis, makes product suggestions, and displays the newest items in the cannabis market.

In this article, we will discuss what a budtender is, their responsibilities, and how compliance training can help you get ahead in your budding career.

Defining the Role of a Budtender

The growing legalization of marijuana in medical or recreational cannabis clinics and the de-stigmatization of its usage have led to an increase in dispensaries and budtenders throughout time. Sales workers known as "budtenders" operate in legal dispensaries where cannabis is sold for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

As a budtender, you have a wide range of responsibilities. A typical day would involve assisting people in purchasing medicinal cannabis products, offering advice on which goods would be best for the client, and weighing and packing items for sale.

Budtender Responsibilities

Like bartenders, budtenders fulfill product requests and provide customer service. But unlike bartenders, budtenders help clients by giving product recommendations, educating them on various goods, and providing guidance on available product options. Budtenders can conduct a variety of activities depending on the nature of the dispensary, but the usual employment obligations you can anticipate taking on in this field include:

Assisting new customers with product choices
Participating in trade events to learn about new products, partner dispensaries, and meet industry experts
Providing customer service and recommending items to consumers that have both medical and leisure requirements
Learning about their consumers so that they may provide appropriate ideas based on what they are seeking for
Staying up-to-date with industry developments and concerns
Ensuring that dispensary operations follow legal and regulatory guidelines
Making sure the dispensary is clean and appealing
Checking customers in and verifying their information for the correct ID
Ensuring that the correct cannabis goods are retrieved from the shelves and placed in the clients' bags when orders are received from the sales floor or online
Following all state-specific cannabis compliance policies and procedures

How Much Do Budtenders Make?

A budtender's pay differs depending on the state where they live, the company they work for, and their skill set. However, the average annual wage in the United States is between $34,000 and $42,000. Most bartenders are paid on an hourly basis, with the hourly average salary between $16 and $20. This does not account for tips.

Many dispensaries enable customers to tip budtenders who use sophisticated cannabis point-of-sale systems.

Best Practices for Customer Service in Cannabis

Good customer service skills will set you apart as an employee. It can help create a loyal customer base and build lasting connections. In order to thrive as a budtender, here are some industry-specific practices to give your customers great service:

Do Your Research - To be a good budtender, you must be more than just a cannabis enthusiast. You should be well-versed in all aspects of cannabis. You may learn the most about cannabis while working, but having a solid foundation will help clients trust you.
Keep Up With Trends - With 19 adult-use states selling legal cannabis, retail buyers and consumers' audiences have grown. Younger customers place a premium on high THC lab results, but older consumers are less interested in top-tier artisanal cannabis. To sell cannabis efficiently, budtenders should target their largest demographic.

Don’t Assume Consumers’ Taste - Listening to a consumer's wants and preferences is essential for efficiently selling cannabis. When advising consumers about a purchase, dispensary personnel should consider their intended effects, preferred consumption mode, and budget.
Think About Your Customers’ Motivations - Curate your marketing efforts based on their preferences. Advertise sales on social media or feature fresh product photos.

What Is Cannabis Compliance for Budtenders?

When training to become a budtender, compliance requirements are the most important thing that you must know. Every business must comply with certain laws and regulations, and the marijuana industry is no exception. Each dispensary's ability to succeed and survive depends on following local and state rules, from plant production to product sales to distribution.

Each state has its own legislation on cannabis. Employees at dispensaries, such as budtenders, need to be aware of the specific regulations they must abide by and the penalties for noncompliance. When it comes to marijuana, compliance is more than simply a set of standards to follow; it ensures protection and reliability. Failure to follow state regulations leads to a loss of reputation, huge fines, and the general discretization of the cannabis sector.

Stay Compliant With 360training

It’s no secret the cannabis industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Budtenders often advance to more responsible, higher-paying positions in the cannabis sector, as they are seen as productive and passionate about the industry. With the legalization of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes in many states, budtenders can find various professional prospects. They can start their career as a budtender and progress to various positions within the medicinal and recreational cannabis industries.

Many states have certain training requirements you must fulfill before becoming a budtender. The marijuana handler courses offered by 360training will teach you about industry trends, medicinal and recreational cannabis products, and other cannabis-related topics.

Online courses are cost-effective and self-paced. Here at 360training.com, we offer Budtender Training courses in a variety of states. Check out our catalog and get trained today!