{"id":1884,"date":"2021-10-20T11:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-20T11:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/wp-home\/?p=181868"},"modified":"2021-10-20T11:20:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T11:20:00","slug":"how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=1884","title":{"rendered":"How to get hired as a budtender in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>  <title>How to get hired as a budtender in Canada &#8211; Leafly<\/title>     <!-- This is Index Exchange, a script\/\/3rd-party integration that interjects GAM. It needs to be 'ahead' of GTM in the DOM, which comes from Cephalopod. GTM loads GAM. This script needs to setup it's interjection stuff before GAM loads. --> <!-- End Index Exchange --> <!-- Quotes = strings--><!-- No quotes = boolean-->\t   <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v17.1.2 (Yoast SEO v17.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->                  <!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. --> <\/p>\n<p> <!-- BEGIN Sailthru Horizon Meta Information --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END Sailthru Horizon Meta Information -->  <!-- Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- End Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat --><br \/>\n <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <title>Leafly<\/title>     <title>Leafly \u00ae<\/title>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              <title>Loading\u2026<\/title>     <\/p>\n<div class=\"bg-white fixed flex hidden inset-0 items-start md:h-auto md:items-center overflow-auto\" id=\"age-gate-container\">\n<div class=\"bg-white md:h-auto mx-auto p-lg text-sm w-full\" id=\"age-gate\">\n<p><label for=\"select-country\">Where are you from?<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"age-gate__info\">\n<p><label for=\"select-province\">Which part of Canada?<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"age-gate__age hidden\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"error error--underage hidden\">Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"error error--unavailable hidden\">Sorry, Leafly isn&#8217;t available in your location yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"hidden age-gate__loading\">Redirecting you to<span class=\"redirect-domain\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-xs mt-auto\">By accessing this site, you accept<br \/>\nthe <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"tou-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.ca\/info\/terms-of-use\">Terms of Use<\/a><br \/>\nand <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"pp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.ca\/info\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container my-xl\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col md:col-9\" id=\"article-content\">\n<p>In June, <a href=\"https:\/\/businessofcannabis.com\/2021\/06\/14\/how-many-cannabis-retail-stores-in-canada-right-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business of Cannabis<\/a> estimated that the number of licensed adult-use cannabis stores across Canada has grown by approximately 126% in the last year to a massive 2,046 stores coast-to-coast.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a lot of opportunity for job seekers who may want to repurpose their existing retail experience, switch industries to pursue something new, or are curious about entry-level roles in the burgeoning cannabis industry.<\/p>\n<p>But before bailing on your current job, know that most budtending jobs require a basic knowledge of cannabis, and all require a certification that shows you understand cannabis basics and the laws regulating it.<\/p>\n<p>A number of supplementary courses have been designed to educate on cannabis, and here\u2019s what to expect from them.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-required-certification-in-provinces-and-territories\">Required certification in provinces and territories<\/h2>\n<p>CannSell standard certification covers cannabis basics, the federal and provincial guidelines, common compliance issues that arise, and the potential risks and harms associated with cannabis use. They also offer an expert level course in cannabis history, genetics, growing, packaging, and how cannabinoids work in the human body.<\/p>\n<p>The number of students who have taken Ontario\u2019s required course <a href=\"https:\/\/cannsell.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CannSell<\/a> has tripled in the last year to more than 26,000, according to co-CEOs Jonathan Carley and Andy Deonarine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Since they acquired the course from Lift &amp; Co. about one year ago, they said they\u2019ve been smoothing out bugs and payment processes on the online delivery platform and updating evolving regulations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe aim to provide the best user experience for the education that we\u2019re providing, and having it be up-to-date, and bridge the gap between brands and budtenders,\u201d said Deonarine in a phone interview. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the end of the day, there are many other companies entering the space, or have been around for a little bit, but there\u2019s only one that is a sole mandated training program of the AGCO.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" alt=\"Modern notebook, laptop and cannabis plant in flower pot isolated on bright yellow background.\" class=\"wp-image-181986 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Budtenders are trained on cannabis products, regulations, and responsible consumption. (Adobe Stock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>PEI and Nova Scotia also use CanSell, but otherwise, each province has their own requirements. In Alberta, the training program for budtenders is called <a href=\"https:\/\/sellsafe.aglc.ca\/index.aspx?tabid=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SellSafe<\/a>, and in Saskatchewan, it\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/business.tourismsaskatchewan.com\/en\/courses-and-workshops\/cannasell-sk-responsible-cannabis-sales\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CannaSell SK Responsible Cannabis Sales<\/a> Training program. In BC, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca\/selling-it-right-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Selling It Right<\/a> is offered through Responsible Service BC. <\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/cannabisretail.smartchoicesmb.ca\/register.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smart Choices Cannabis Retail Certification<\/a> is required by the The Liquor, Gaming, &amp; Cannabis Authority of Manitoba prior to starting work. Quebec has the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sqdc.ca\/en-CA\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise du Cannabis<\/a> training program. The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation take care of training through <a href=\"https:\/\/skillspassnl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SkillsPass<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>For those looking for budtender gigs up north, the North West Territories covers employee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ntlcc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">training internally<\/a>. The Yukon offers a <a href=\"https:\/\/yukon.ca\/en\/get-training-training-be-able-sell-cannabis-bars-c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Be A Responsible Server- Cannabis (BARS-C)<\/a> program, and Nunavut uses their own <a href=\"https:\/\/gov.nu.ca\/finance\/information\/cannabis-retailer-training\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannabis Retail Employee Training Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Bonus points for educational add-ons<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond provincial requirements, budtenders can pursue additional education. Tabitha Fritz launched her online course <a href=\"https:\/\/tabithafritz.podia.com\/level-up-budtender-education-program-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LevelUp<\/a> after developing in-store budtender training programs and seeing an opportunity to help staff better understand cannabis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou can present facts to someone and say, here are all the facts about cannabis, cannabinoids, terpenes, your endocannabinoid system and concentrates,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that someone\u2019s going to digest that and internalize that. [This course] takes the learner on a journey through cannabis, how it works with our bodies, and why it is so unique to each consumer.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"812\" alt class=\"wp-image-181890 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/how-to-get-hired-as-a-budtender-in-canada-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Fritz delivering LevelUp to some budtenders in Goderich, Ontario. (Fritz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>There are many non-mandatory online courses, like educational modules by <a href=\"https:\/\/cannareps.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CannaReps<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cannabistrainingcanada.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannabis Training Canada<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/cannabisinstituteofcanada.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannabis Institute of Canada<\/a>, and others, are available online.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than investing too much in your own education pre-employment, courses could be better-suited for existing employees who want to take their skills to the next level. <\/p>\n<p>Ask your employer to coordinate and invest in additional education, or investigate group rates.<\/p>\n<h2>Don\u2019t forget the importance of soft skills<\/h2>\n<p>Krista Raymer, co-founder of retail consultants Vetrina Group, said budtender training and education will continue to evolve in the coming years. While cannabis concepts and products are one set of skills, she said soft skills should emphasize budtender training.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the biggest trends that I would like to see continue to develop is that we become less about transactions and more about the opportunity to sell and share product information that is relevant to the customer,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"my-xxl wp-block-leafly-blocks-leafly-related-articles\">\n<p><h2>Celebrate budtenders<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rather than simply recommending a product to a customer stopping by a store and making a sale, Raymer says conversations can be broader and deeper and more focused on the general needs a shopper is hoping to address rather than specific products.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur budtenders can elevate that experience,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is a big gap in the industry in that space right now, and it\u2019s because it\u2019s really hard to execute and takes a lot of time, a lot of training. And since we\u2019ve seen a really high turnover rate with budtenders, it\u2019s hard to make that kind of investment.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Talk to your local budtenders<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, some of the most valuable budtender education can come from hands-on product workshops with brand reps or the ability to try products for themselves, according to Alex Pollard, one of the founders of union organizers United Weed Workers.<\/p>\n<p>Some stores will offer employees product discounts, but it can be expensive for budtenders, who, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/ca.indeed.com\/career\/marijuana-budtender\/salaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indeed<\/a>, make on average of $16.35\/hour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEach store and brand tends to do things their own way, but stores that encourage the brand reps and territory managers to interact with budtenders and foster those relationships is really something special,\u201d shares Pollard.<\/p>\n<p>Before signing up for a course, talk to existing budtenders to find out what they wish they had known before starting out in the industry and whether or not a course was worth the money. <\/p>\n<p>And remember, employers should invest in their workforce\u2014always ask your employer to coordinate training on your behalf.<\/p>\n<p><em>With files from Ashley Keenan.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"leafly-sailthru-signup p-lg my-xl bg-white rounded elevation-low border border-light-grey\">\n<p class=\"text-xs pt-lg\">By submitting this form, you will be subscribed to news and promotional emails from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\">Leafly<\/a> and you agree to Leafly&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/tos\">Terms of Service<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email messages anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat -->  <!--\nPerformance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https:\/\/www.boldgrid.com\/w3-total-cache\/ Served from: _ @ 2021-10-20 17:54:05 by W3 Total Cache\n--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to get hired as a budtender in Canada &#8211; Leafly Leafly Leafly \u00ae Loading\u2026 Where are you from? Which part of Canada? Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly. Sorry, Leafly isn&#8217;t available in your location yet. Redirecting you to By accessing this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. In June, Business of Cannabis estimated that the number of licensed adult-use cannabis stores across Canada has grown by approximately 126% in the last year to a massive 2,046 stores coast-to-coast. That\u2019s a lot of opportunity for job seekers who may want to repurpose their&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-marijuana_information"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1884\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}