Most states have now legalized marijuana, which means that there are more jobs in the cannabis industry now. One of these is budtending. Budtenders help customers find products that are best suited for them based on their needs. They also guide customers about the benefits of cannabis use.
Many business owners are now hiring very qualified budtenders because they allow customers to have a friendly shopping experience. They're always there to give customers the guidance they need when shopping for cannabis products. Just like a bartender helps with mixing all types of cocktails, a budtender finds the right type of cannabis and other related products like oils and vaping liquids for customers.
They are highly knowledgeable when it comes to cannabis products, and they also know how various conditions can be cured with the right cannabis products. Read on as we discuss how to become a budtender, the skills needed, and how much they earn.
What Are the Skills Needed to Become a Budtender?
Budtenders are marijuana experts, which means that they need to have adequate knowledge about marijuana. This allows them to guide customers and ensure they get the best cannabis experience. Here are a few important skills that budtenders need to have.
- Passion for Cannabis
To be successful in any career, you need to be passionate about it. Since this is a service industry, your passion matters even more. You need to be passionate about all things cannabis and showcase your authority on the subject in front of customers.
- Ample Knowledge of Cannabis
You can only guide customers on cannabis when you are familiar with it. So make sure you know all about its strains and concentrates and how they need to be used.
You also need to have ample knowledge about vaping liquids and topical products so that you can brief all potential customers about usage. Familiarity with cannabis effects can also help you answer people's questions well and will help you recommend the right products for use.
- Awareness About Cannabis Delivery Methods
The delivery methods for cannabis vary greatly, so you need to know about this too. In the states where cannabis is now legal, the best way to buy cannabis is by going to brick-and-mortar dispensaries. But if this isn’t an option in your state, then online deliveries are the best option. Customers can place their orders online, and you can get them delivered by getting in touch with delivery and distribution companies that are legally allowed to deliver cannabis products.
- Good Communication Skills
In the service industry, the most important thing is communication. You need to have excellent communication skills. Remember that customers are looking to you for information. You are their guide, so you must make sure that you look approachable and inviting.
Not just that, but you also need to be able to answer all of their questions in sufficient detail. A friendly demeanor is one of the most important factors determining your success. It will affect whether or not customers will choose to come back to you.
- Retail Experience and Inventory Management
It is also very important for you to have experience operating a cash register and storing inventory. This can help you enhance customer experience and ensure you are efficient at what you do.
Now that you have all the knowledge about the skills you might need, here is how you can start your career.
How Do You Become a Budtender?
The best part about becoming a budtender is that you don't need any license or certification to begin. So if you are passionate about cannabis, you can start immediately. However, some high-end dispensaries now have set standards because they want budtenders to have a certain level of expertise. This is important to help them enhance their own brand image as well.
Thus, the first step is to learn as much as you can about cannabis. This is basic since your job is to help anyone who wants to know more about cannabis and its uses. This doesn't mean that you will need any formal education for this. Instead, there are many affordable training programs online that can help.
Apart from that, you can also get a lot of knowledge from other senior budtenders who have a lot of experience in the field. You can benefit from them and ask them to show you the ropes of the trade. You can also visit good dispensaries and see for yourself how other budtenders are doing their job. This will help you understand the job and what it requires from you.
Many people want to enter this field but can’t seem to come across a lucrative opportunity. Remember that when starting off, nothing comes to you easily. If you’re interested in budtending and can’t find something you like, start off with any dispensary. Even if you get something part-time, start with that. If you get an opportunity as a cashier, you can take that up too. Any step that gets you closer to where you want to be is progress. This way, you will also get to closely watch a budtender in action, which will eventually help you get what you want in the long run.
Now that you know all about stepping your foot in the door, you must be wondering how rewarding budtending is as an occupation.
How Much Does a Budtender Earn?
A budtender earns around $33,808 a year, on average. However, this doesn't include tips. Most people tip budtenders pretty generously since they understand how important of a role they play in aiding the decision-making process and making it faster for them.
Final Words
So, you can now kickstart your career as a budtender. The cannabis industry is booming at the moment, you are sure to find something you like. As more and more states legalize marijuana, the demand for skilled budtenders will also increase. To excel as a budtender, you need to ensure that you have all the background knowledge you need. Remember that the sky is the limit! You need to focus on improving each passing day, and it will surely work out for you!
