Sometimes, it’s difficult to believe that the term “budtender” has been around for nearly 30 years. Budtenders are the friendly people behind the counters at dispensaries around America – and as you’re about to learn, they are much, much more than just cashiers. A budtender is both a cashier and a cannabis expert, and great ones aren’t easy to find.
Whether you’re a new cannabis consumer and are about to experience your first dispensary visit or are actually thinking about becoming a budtender yourself, this is the guide for you. Although a great budtender actually does far more than we could possibly express in just a few paragraphs, we’re going to give it a try in this overview.
So, what does a budtender actually do? That’s where we’ll begin.
A Budtender Is Your Go-to Encyclopedia for All Things Cannabis
At any dispensary, the budtenders are the main contact points for customers – and in addition to being a great cashier, a budtender also needs to be a cannabis expert. A budtender should:
- Be passionate about cannabis. A budtender should be a good salesperson and should demonstrate a sense of excitement and positivity about the products without being pushy. Finding the right product for the customer is always the most important part of the sales process.
- Be a people person. A budtender spends a large part of their day answering questions. He or she should enjoy interacting with a wide variety of people and should also be very patient. Many of the people who enter dispensaries are doing so for the first time and are likely to feel overwhelmed.
- Be a cannabis expert. A good budtender has a wide-ranging knowledge of the various cannabis strains and their effects – including strains that the dispensary doesn’t carry or doesn’t currently have in stock – and should be able to recommend strains with the right properties to suit customers’ medical or recreational needs.
- Be knowledge about all forms of cannabis use. A budtender may need to show customers how to set up and maintain different cannabis consumption products. Increasingly, budtenders also need to understand cannabis vaping devices because many of today’s cannabis consumers don’t use flower at all. A budtender should also be able to explain the benefits and drawbacks of consumption methods like smoking, oil vaping, dabbing and edibles.
- Be an efficient cashier. In addition to possessing a wide range of cannabis knowledge, a budtender should also be skilled at handing cash and working with point-of-sale systems.
- Be compliant with state law. A budtender needs to comply with all state requirements for handling and selling cannabis and should know what can and can’t be said about its medical benefits.
If being a budtender sounds like it’s a busy job, that’s because it is. Now you understand why we try to retain our top talent as long as possible!
Interacting with a Budtender for the First Time
Now that you have a better idea of what a budtender does, let’s go into further detail on what you can expect your first interaction with a budtender to be like. A budtender works with just one customer at a time, so you might have to wait a little while before it’ll be your turn. To speed things along, it’s helpful if you already have an idea of what you want. That’s why we allow you to view our menu online for easy browsing.
If you’re not an experienced cannabis user and don’t know what you want, don’t worry – that’s where your budtender comes in. Simply tell the budtender what you’re trying to accomplish, and he or she will steer you in the right direction. Maybe you’re looking for a strain that can help you manage a particular symptom, or perhaps you’re looking for something uplifting that puts you in the right frame of mind for a night out with your friends. Maybe you just want something that helps you fall asleep at night. Whatever your goals happen to be, just ask – this is exactly what budtenders are for.
When it’s time to pay for your purchase, don’t forget that dispensaries don’t take credit cards. Until cannabis becomes federally legal, dispensaries are cash-only businesses. An ATM will be available in case you didn’t quite bring enough money for everything you want.
How Much Should You Tip a Budtender?
This is the age-old question of dispensary culture. Should you tip your budtender – and if so, how much? Tipping is never required when you visit a dispensary. If a budtender goes out of his or her way to give you a personalized recommendation and ensure that you’ll have a great experience, though, why not show your appreciation? If you decide to tip your budtender, the amount is up to you – but 10-20 percent is a general guideline.
How Do You Become a Budtender?
In addition to possessing all of the qualities listed at the beginning of this article, it’s necessary for every budtender in Nevada to possess an agent card issued by the state. To get an agent card, you’ll have to have your fingerprints and picture taken. You’ll also need to submit to a background check to show that you have never been convicted of a felony. It costs $75 to obtain an agent card, and the card is valid for one year. Although you don’t need to have an agent card when applying to work as a budtender, it’s helpful because it means you’ll be able to start working right away. If you don’t have an agent card yet, you can’t start working until you obtain one.
Is Being a Budtender a Good Career?
We certainly think so! One of the things we’re very proud of at Oasis is that we love to promote from within. We have two Floor Managers who began their careers with Oasis as budtenders, and our General Manager started out with us as a part-time delivery driver. We believe that the best talent deserves a chance to shine, and we give our budtenders as many advancement opportunities as possible.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Budtender?
If you’re a cannabis expert who loves interacting with people and spending your days immersed in your favorite herb, we’d love to hear from you! Visit Oasis Cannabis today and drop off your resume or click the “Careers” link at the bottom of this page to find out about any current job openings.
