What Does It Take to Be a Great Budtender?
Have you ever wanted to be a budtender? If so, read on for some budtender basics, tips and best practices that will help make you not just any budtender, but a great one.
What is a budtender?
Maybe you’ve never heard the term budtender, or maybe you’ve heard it but don’t really know what it means. Well, a budtender is pretty much what you would expect from the title. According to the Oxford Languages dictionary, a budtender is “a person who serves customers at an establishment where marijuana is sold.”
What do you do?
As a budtender, you’re a cannabis expert of sorts. In the role, you’re on staff at a dispensary or store where people purchase medical or recreational cannabis. You’re there to guide the customer through their experiences, including answering questions, talking to customers about their cannabis needs, advising customers on the best products for them, handling products being sold and more. You also have to handle payments.
Here are some ways you can be the best budtender in your area:
Know your stuff
As a budtender, you really have to know your dispensary or store’s product line, from A to Z. You also have to stay up-to-date with the latest in marijuana trends and innovations. The cannabis industry is constantly changing, and the most you know about the latest offerings, the more valuable you’ll be to your customers.
Be able to help cannabis newbies and experts
As a budtender, you have to be comfortable talking with customers who know very little about cannabis, as well as those who are extremely experienced. In the case of the former, cannabis newbies will expect the budtender to help guide them through the marijuana buying process and give them advice to find products that fit their needs. With expert shoppers, your knowledge of current cannabis trends will help them learn something new.
Keep it legal
Even though medical and recreational cannabis is legal in Michigan, there are still rules to follow. Know and follow the current regulations and HIPAA guidelines. Maintain a clean environment. You’ll also have to check IDs when customers purchase marijuana to make sure they’re 21 or older.
Be friendly
This one is simple. Be nice. Much like a favorite area bartender or the staff of a local record shop, personality is key when it comes to being an in-demand budtender. If you’re friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, you’ll not only become everyone’s favorite budtender- you’ll also make new friends.
Requirements in Michigan
Some of the basic requirements to be a Michigan budtender include the following, according to CannabisTrainingUniversity.com:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a Michigan resident
- Successfully pass a criminal and background check
- Have a high school diploma or GED
