There were 7,490 dispensaries across the U.S. in 2020. These numbers have only risen, which makes it the perfect opportunity to find a job in the cannabis market.

If you love talking about cannabis then look for a job as a budtender, the connoisseur of cannabis.

Read on to find out how to become a budtender in this step-by-step guide.

Step One: Learn the Educational Requirements

Your first question when asking how to become a certified budtender is what qualifications are needed. The most basic form of education required for a budtender job is to have a high school diploma or GED. As of now, there are no college degrees that offer budtender as a major, but maybe that will change in the future.

Step Two: Think about a Certification (Optional)

If you are seriously thinking about how to become a budtender in Florida or any other state that offers medicinal cannabis then you may want to get a certificate as a Dispensary Technician. While this isn’t a requirement to get a job it shows that you have knowledge of the industry.

This is especially helpful if you don’t have other job experience or if you live in a highly competitive area.

Step Three: Get Some Relevant Experience

The most important part about how to become a budtender in Nevada or other states with a high demand for qualified budtenders is to get some experience.

As a budtender, you need both knowledge of the cannabis plant and the skills to interact with customers. This includes understanding various plant strains; forms of cannabis such as concentrates, edibles, and flowers; and dosage amounts. All of this information needs to be convened to customers in a clear and professional manner.

Get experience by volunteering at a cultivation warehouse to see how a harvest process works. You can also get your hands on some products as a trimmer or help make concentrates. Remember to ask questions to learn as much as possible.

Some sales and customer service skills will also be helpful, so a part-time job in retail will look great on your resume.

Step Four: Apply for Jobs

You may learn the most about how to become a budtender in Maine, for example, by actually applying for jobs. You will understand what each company is seeking in a valued employee. Use this information to update your resume.

Be sure to check cannabis-specific job forums to get a first look at open positions. You can also go to trade shows and networking events to make yourself known to the industry.

Step Five: Start Your Training

The last thing you want to do once you get hired is to get trained. Learning how to become a budtender in Oregon or anywhere in the country takes practice. Use your training as a way to learn more about this job. This will lead to promotions within the cannabis industry.

How to Become a Budtender and Stay One

The cannabis world is constantly evolving. As more dispensaries open and more states legalize cannabis, the more laws and regulations change. Stay on top of legislation and any requirements for your job. This will ensure you will always be able to stay qualified as one.

Get started by checking out our job search tab and typing in budtender in your city.