{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/budtender/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3935-markdown","title":"Why Budtenders are so Important to the Weed Industry","slug":"why-budtenders-are-so-important-to-the-weed-industry","content":"It's universal that restaurants need servers, tours need guides, wineries need sommeliers, and dispensaries need budtenders. \n \n The role of a sales associate in a marijuana dispensary, more commonly termed \"budtender\", is considered the face of the dispensary. Budtenders are the bridge between the customer and the cannabis products. \n\nWhile opportunities for budtenders are expanding as the cannabis industry grows, they are sometimes overlooked and deemed \"stoners.\" \n\nThis stereotype is often inaccurate and demeaning as budtenders are the unsung heroes of the cannabis industry. Let's break down why. \n\n![Budtenders help you navigate the cannabis product landscape](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_04_05_at_10_06_06_AM_be663164be.png)\n \n### What is a Budtender?\n\nWhile cannabis has been a part of society for a long time, [dating as far back as 2500 years ago](https://www.science.org/content/article/oldest-evidence-marijuana-use-discovered-2500-year-old-cemetery-peaks-western-china), the official position of the budtender is relatively new. \n\nBudtenders were originally just connaisseurs of cannabis that were willing to share knowledge with medical dispensary customers. This has been slowly evolving as the weed industry matures. \n\nBudtenders are a mix of bartender, pharmacist, confidant, plus a little bit of hall monitor. It's a job that requires vast cannabis knowledge with a willingness to learn new information as our understanding of cannabis is growing as new research appears.\n\n![Budtenders help people find the right weed](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_04_05_at_12_08_30_PM_fcb8284a32.png)\n\nEssentially, when you walk into a dispensary to buy marijuana, the friendly face asking, \"what are you looking for today?\" is your local budtender.\nThey mix personal experience with a baseline knowledge of the cannabis plant, its effects, and recent marijuana trends. \n\nOften acting as a substitute pharmacist, budtenders can help medical patients find products that can help with varying ailments. \n\n![Budtenders help people choose cannabis products](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_04_05_at_10_08_27_AM_4e7169d988.png)\n\n\n### How to Become a Budtender\n\nBudtender licensing requirements vary by state, which may be lenient or very stringent. For instance, a pharmacist must be on-site within a dispensary in some states. In other states, budtenders are now required to complete courses to become licensed before legally working in a dispensary. There are no regulations on what qualifies someone to be a budtender in other states.\n\nOnce a prospective budtender undergoes the necessary licensing and assuming that they are over 21 years of age and currently living in a legal cannabis state, they can begin the job search. \n\n Many people may assume that working as a budtender is easy and you only need to like to smoke weed all day – this couldn't be further from the truth. \n\nEven though working in a dispensary is fun and rewarding – it's still a job, so behaving professionally is expected. You'll also see long lines and longer days occasionally (like many retail settings). \n\nSome common [requirements for budtenders](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/how-to-be-a-cannabis-budtender) are:\n- High school diploma\n- Knowledge of cannabis strains and their medicinal benefits\n- A valid marijuana worker's permit or license\n- Organizational skills\n- Analytical and problem-solving skills\n- Retail experience\n\nThe easiest way to learn more about working as a budtender is to ask your local dispensary. It may also help you land your first job!\n\n### The Impact of Budtenders on the Weed Industry\n\nThe legal cannabis industry now supports more than 420,000 jobs, and a large portion of those are budtenders. It's fair to say that this group has more impact than merely helping customers find edibles, cartridges, or flower.\n\n![Budtenders help people find the right weed](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_04_05_at_12_12_21_PM_468ec98b50.png)\n\nBudtenders help consumers better understand the power of the plant while shaping the culture and trends of cannabis. \n\nBudtenders provide marijuana consumers with the most current information about weed. Nowadays, they're leaning toward concepts such as cannabinoids, [terpenes](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-are-cannabis-terpenes-and-how-do-they-work), and products that align with desired effects – not the outdated ideas of Indica vs. Sativa. \n\nBudtenders are the highest rung of weed enthusiasts. They love marijuana, and they choose to help others share in this experience. \n\nBudtenders are able to convert skeptical first-time consumers into life-long advocates by simply providing the knowledge and understanding needed to dispel decades of stigmatization. \n\nThe fact that weed has grown in popularity can be partially attributed to those who took the risk to work at dispensaries, smile, and share their love for weed with every person who walks through the door. \n\n### Top Places to Look for Budtender Jobs\n\n![How to find a budtender job](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_04_05_at_12_13_53_PM_81372f4b68.png)\n\n\nSome of the best places to look for budtender jobs in the cannabis industry include:\n\n- [Vangst](https://vangst.com/): This site lets you search for cannabis job postings, build your cannabis network, and join the conversation with thousands of other cannabis pros — all for free when you join the Vangst Network.\n- [FlowerHire](https://flowerhire.com/join-a-team/): Get connected to cannabis employers and even take a quiz to find out if working in cannabis is right for you!\n- [Indeed](https://www.indeed.com/): While this isn't a cannabis-only website, brands do post job openings there, including dispensary manager, grower, and trimmer positions.. Just search for cannabis and add your location to find jobs near you.\n- [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm): This is another site that is not exclusive to cannabis but still has a lot of postings in the marijuana industry on their job board.\n- Instagram / LinkedIn: Look out for cannabis job postings on social media networks. Follow brands you would like to work for on both Instagram and LinkedIn, then jump on opportunities as they are posted.\n- In-person: It's always worth walking into your favorite local dispensary to check on open positions. \n\nRemember to tip your budtenders; they're on the frontlines of the green wave. \n\n### Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis\n\nIt's easy to get your medical document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/get-started/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed partitioner and purchase medical cannabis today.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/ee604/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.png","srcSet":"/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/69585/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.png 200w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/497c6/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.png 400w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/ee604/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.png 800w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/f3583/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/58556/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/61e93/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.webp 200w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/1f5c5/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.webp 400w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/58556/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.webp 800w,\n/static/32ca3643f548f6ed95a474c80234c95b/99238/6b07fb9199826928e56369ff6f3f2a0e.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2246-markdown","title":"Moving Beyond the Budtender","slug":"moving-beyond-the-budtender","content":"### Depending on the Budtender\r\n\r\nBudtending is an art form. Every day, fearless cannabis aficionados do what they can to mitigate the void of substantiated cannabis research, to keep track of countless strains and products, and to understand the wide array of patients’ requirements – all to provide what still amount to very subjective recommendations. They have to; the industry depends on them. Maybe even more than you know.\r\n\r\nCalifornia’s medical marijuana movement surely owes plenty to its budtender community. But now, as we witness increasing numbers of new patients and 7new products, budtenders may find themselves in a position of disproportionate influence. This is not ideal. If the cannabis market is to expand profitably and safely, the budtender – an often excellent but sometimes equally transient dispensary employee - simply cannot be expected to be the be-all, end-all to everybody. Let me explain. \r\n\r\n### The Budtender Bottleneck\r\n\r\nThe more time I spend talking with four key stakeholders of the cannabis ecosystem – patients, doctors, retailers and product manufacturers – the more I realize that all roads lead to the budtender. Amazingly, they’re all very dependent – each for their own purposes – on a group for which there is yet no real standardization nor recognized accreditations. \r\n\r\n* Patients: Cannabis reacts differently for all patients, and patients each come looking to solve very different problems. Yet they all depend on the budtender to have answers\r\n\r\n* Doctors: As doctors are limited in how specific they can be with their cannabis patients, the onus lies with the budtender to decode what the doctor told the patient and in turn suggest the right solution\r\n\r\n* Product Manufacturers: Short of places to advertise or educate prospective patients about their products, they lean almost exclusively on budtenders to tell their story and ideally recommend their products\r\n\r\n* Retailers: They’re in business to help patients and to sell products – to pay their bills. This too puts pressure on the budtender and can impact judgment, even if not intentionally\r\n\r\n### Brands & Budtenders\r\n\r\nWhile patients may find themselves too dependent on one source for advice, it’s the brands (product manufacturers) who are, in my opinion, most at risk in the current model. We’re fortunate to have so many well-intended, large and small product manufacturers busy creating new formulas, revising dosing approaches, expanding delivery methods and doing what they can to match products to individual needs. And yet so many of them find themselves deploying more and more resources to gain the mindshare of the budtender in the hope that their finished product gets into the right hands.\r\n\r\n### The Alternative: Community-Powered Advice\r\n\r\nFor the cannabis industry to grow we need new patients.  Lots of them. More importantly though, we need new patients to succeed with cannabis and for them to tell others. Other more mature, successful market segments tell us that to get there, we need well-informed, confident consumers. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [MY FIRST TIME VISITING A DISPENSARY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/my-first-time-visiting-a-marijuana-dispensary)\r\n\r\nIt is no coincidence that these dynamics in part led HelloMD to create a community platform that allows patients to connect directly with cannabis experts. It is our effort to empower patients with more influence over their cannabis decisions, and – as part the solution -  to give a much stronger voice to the people behind the products you find on dispensary shelves. Think of it as community-powered advice.\r\n\r\nWhat we have found, beyond a doubt, that while there may be a void of substantiated research, by medical standards, there is no void of expertise in the community. And no lack of desire to share it with others. \r\n\r\n### How You Can Contribute & Benefit\r\n\r\n* Patients: [On our home page](https://www.hellomd.com/), on any of our product manufacturer business listings, on a particular product listing pages, or on a condition-specific page -- feel free to ask (anonymously) any questions you might have. We will let the experts know immediately, and you can soon after expect doctors, product experts and – this is important – other patients to offer you their opinions\r\n\r\n* Doctors: Come show off your knowledge. These are opinions, and opinions are always more valuable when there are more than one. And, with the absence of the patient/doctor relationship, you are welcome to add in the details you might not otherwise share\r\n\r\n* Product Manufacturers: If your brand is not already listed on HelloMD, let us know. Setting up takes only minutes. When a HelloMD member inquires about your products, we will notify you instantly.  You can quickly share your insights with them, and grow a centralized but dynamic knowledge base around your products. Help patients gain the confidence they need to ask for your product by name\r\n\r\n* Retailers: If you have a budtender (or many) whose expertise is just not getting out to as many patients as you would like, enroll them as an expert on HelloMD. Every time they contribute answers, patients will see that they come from your amazing budtenders – empowering them to choose your dispensary because of it.\r\n\r\n### Budtending is Here to Stay\r\n\r\nBudtending as a profession is not only here to stay, I suspect it will become a more valued role as standardized training and accreditations make their way into the market. But if we continue in a model where all stakeholders are so dependent on the budtender, something will give.\r\n\r\nLet’s work together to empower patients to take a more active role in their cannabis decisions – and in doing so, support rather than gang up, on the budtender nation.\r\n\r\n_____________________________________________________________________\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEAv/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABlYvBcQFn/8QAGxAAAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAwQRExL/2gAIAQEAAQUC9rrIULTOISm8jluf/8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEP/aAAgBAwEBPwE//8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEP/aAAgBAgEBPwE//8QAGhAAAQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACEBIxEf/aAAgBAQAGPwI1TMgPtoTAD2P/xAAZEAEAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABACExERD/2gAIAQEAAT8hQFFZKmtywiR10Tk7U0rfP//aAAwDAQACAAMAAAAQIy//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREhMf/aAAgBAwEBPxBZZKP/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREx/9oACAECAQE/EHpGf//EABwQAQADAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAESExQVFhkf/aAAgBAQABPxBWppQOk5gmGhGhwde1biDzFjwQqj352UjBgv1sM7k//9k=","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/14b42/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/f836f/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/2244e/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 400w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/14b42/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 800w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/47498/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/54ac5/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/58556/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/61e93/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/1f5c5/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 400w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/58556/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 800w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/99238/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 1200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/5e0b8/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5028,"name":"Budtender","slug":"budtender","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}