Top Skills Needed to Work in a Dispensary

Budtenders are the face of a cannabis dispensary. They’re responsible for every impression a guest has with a brand, whether it’s their first time shopping for cannabis or their 50th. But what does it take to work in such a unique position? If you’re thinking about applying for a job at a dispensary, here are some of the top skills needed to work in a dispensary as a budtender.

To be a good budtender, you have to have more than just a passion for cannabis. You need to know how to make genuine connections with customers, understand the products available in your state, and thrive in a customer-service environment.

While the specific qualifications to work in a dispensary vary by state, there are some similar skills that stand out to hiring managers.

Most dispensaries require workers to be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma. Once the age requirement is verified, your level of cannabis experience is examined.

Cannabis Experience

Hiring managers will want to see if you’ve worked for any other cannabis businesses. They will want to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

But if you don’t have prior cannabis experience, that’s not always a deal-breaker. Training programs like our Dispensary Agent Certification can help teach you terminology used in the industry, the types of products and their effects, and business processes. This way you can ramp up your cannabis knowledge before you begin interviewing.

Transferrable Experience

Other valuable skills could also come from working in traditional retail stores, hospitality, or sales environments. Ultimately, a dispensary is still a store, so strong customer service skills, cash handling, and communication go a long way.

Personal Experience

Show the impact cannabis has had on your life by highlighting your personal experiences. Were there any products you tried that helped you sleep at night or maybe offered you some relief?

The best budtenders can find ways to relate or make meaningful connections while listening to their guest’s needs. They’re always taking the time to learn about new products, trends, or research in the industry.

Adaptability

Regulations and processes constantly evolve as the industry develops, so your job duties as a budtender could fluctuate. You’ll need to be flexible and stay positive as new procedures get implemented.

Organization

Retail environments can move with a fast pace. You must be organized when handling products, restocking products, and entering guest information into the POS system. Managers don’t want to have to deal with any unnecessary customer complaints because you had too many products on the counter and accidentally put the wrong one in the customers bag. Have your shit together – Make sure you are on time, take care of your personal hygiene, and demonstrate your organizational skills.

Now that we’ve unveiled the top skills needed to work in a dispensary, you’ll have a better idea of how to highlight own strengths experience as you draft up your resume!

If you’re ready to learn more, enroll in our Dispensary Agent Certification program today!