A Budtender is a professional who specializes in assisting customers in cannabis dispensaries or retail stores. They have extensive knowledge of different cannabis strains, products, and their effects. Budtenders provide guidance and recommendations to customers, ensuring they make informed decisions based on their preferences and needs. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities of Budtenders as well as the most in-demand hard and soft skills necessary for success in this role.

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Main Responsibilities of a Budtender

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Budtender:

Abide by

Abide by all company policies and programs, ensuring compliance.

Adhere to

• Adhere to all loss prevention policies.

• Adhere to all OLCC marijuana rules and guidelines.

• Adhere to all regulatory requirements.

• Adhere to and uphold 5Buds Loss Prevention controls to prevent all possible opportunities.

• Adhere to strict quality control measures, including verifying product labels, batch numbers, and expiration dates.

Answer

• Answer customer questions and concerns while remaining in compliance of AGLC regulations.

• Answer incoming customer inquiries.

Arrange

Arrange products to maintain an attractive display.

Assess

Assess customers' needs and preferences to recommend suitable cannabis products.

Assist with

• Assist budtenders in providing unparalleled customer experience.

• Assist customers in selecting the appropriate cannabis products, such as flowers, concentrates, edibles, or topicals.

• Assist each customer in finding the right and most suitable product.

• Assist in the intake of deliveries, transfers and inventory management.

• Assist management in identifying inventory items in need of restocking.

• Assist Store Manager open / close at the beginning or end of shifts.

• Assist with any other duties as needed or assigned.

• Assist with merchandising and cleaning as directed.

• Assist with opening / closing of store and other tasks as assigned.

• Assist with opening / closing of the store and other tasks as assigned.

• Assist with product reordering and inventory management to ensure an adequate supply of popular products.

• Assist with running side work, stocking, and cleaning during any and all downtime.

• Assist with the implementation of promotional campaigns, events, or educational workshops.

Check

Check personal bin, company email and the Memo Board for staff updates.

Clean

• Clean and organize products shelving and displays as needed.

• Clean professional appearance as we deal with a lot of customers.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with colleagues to create a positive and welcoming dispensary environment.

Complete

• Complete customer purchase transactions with accuracy.

• Complete tasks as assigned by the Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager and Key Leaders.

Conduct

Conduct regular checks on product displays, ensuring accurate labeling and pricing information.

Convey

Convey accurate product information to customers.

Coordinate

Coordinate and participate in periodic all-staff cleanings and staff meetings.

Create

Create an educational and informative experience for all customers.

Cross-sell

Cross-sell and introduce new products.

Cultivate

• Cultivate a positive, upbeat, welcoming environment.

• Cultivate long term-customer relationships by providing superior customer service.

Deliver

Deliver exceptional customer service.

Determine

Determine if any guests have physical restrictions that should be considered.

Educate

• Educate customers on different products, strains and consumption methods.

• Educate customers on responsible cannabis use, including dosage guidelines and potential risks.

• Educate guests and meet them "where they are” by propelling our Service Standards.

Engage

Engage with clients in a friendly and professional manner while actively listening to their concerns.

Ensure

• Ensure adherence to SOPs in all transactions.

• Ensure AGLC compliance in all transactions and inventory controls.

• Ensure all guests are greeted as they arrive and wished farewell on upon their departure.

• Ensure all guests / patients receive excellent customer service.

• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations.

• Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations, and age restrictions for cannabis sales.

• Ensure each guest receives your full attention during their transaction.

• Ensure opening and closing cleaning and organization checklist is completed.

• Ensure stations are ready to go at venue opening time.

• Ensure store is clean and tidy.

• Ensure store is clean and tidy and meets the most stringent sanitary requirements.

• Ensure the sales floor is properly stocked and the presence of the store is well maintained.

• Ensure the store is cleaned and well-stocked. (.

• Ensure you are aware of all company communication, rollouts, directives and procedures.

• Ensure you are on time for each and every shift.

• Ensure your uniform is clean and you have all tools at your station prepared for your shift.

Exceed

Exceed Customer Expectations-We will go above & beyond to WOW each guest.

Execute

• Execute high operating standards.

• Execute selling standards to meet team and individual sales goals and metrics.

Follow

• Follow all security guidelines set forth by Retail Leadership Team.

• Follow compliance protocol set by the MED.

• Follow directions thoroughly.

• Follow guidelines and protocols as required by provincial regulatory bodies.

• Follow health, safety and sanitation guidelines for all products.

• Follow proper cash procedures.

Foster

Foster a sense of teamwork will all team members.

Greet

• Greet and assist all customers.

• Greet and check in patients, while adhering to all NR / MED compliance policies.

• Greet and engages customers in a friendly matter.

• Greet and ID all customers as they come into the store.

• Greet and welcome customers as they enter the dispensary.

• Greet customers and providing insight into products to ensure customer satisfaction.

Guide

• Guide and direct customers in their cannabis purchasing experience.

• Guide and direct customers in their cannabis purchasing journey.

• Guide educate and direct customers in their Cannabis purchasing journey.

Handle

• Handle all customer inquiries, feedback, and concerns with a professional and courteous approach.

• Handle cash and electronic payments, ensuring proper documentation and reconciliation.

Help

• Help in maintaining a clean store.

• Help maintain the cleanliness of the store by completing all daily opening / closing duties.

Inform

Inform the Inventory Manager or MOD if any product inventory is running low.

Inspire

Inspire customer confidence and create loyalty to our brand.

Issue

Issue receipts, refunds & exchanges (the latter must be manager approved).

Keep

Keep all personal items off the sales floor at all times.

Know

Know all safety and security protocols, should they be needed.

Label

Label store merchandise and stickers jars upon request.

Learn

• Learn customers' names and get to know them.

• Learn guests' names and favorite products.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and organized sales floor, including product displays and inventory management.

• Maintain a high level of customer service.

• Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding cannabis and cannabis related products.

• Maintain a professional and knowledgeable demeanor while representing the dispensary to the public.

• Maintain a professional appearance, demeanor and attitude.

• Maintain a professional appearance, demeanor, and attitude at all times.

• Maintain a welcoming and warm environment for customers and staff.

• Maintain compliance of all company policies and operating procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling customers' personal information.

• Maintain fully stocked and clean stations at all times.

• Maintain proper cash-handling procedure at all times.

• Maintain strain displays and signage to indicate product prices.

Meet

Meet and exceed sales goals.

Model

Model best-in-class service experience that consistently exceeds our customer's expectations.

Monitor

Monitor and report any suspicious or unauthorized activities to the dispensary manager.

Observe

Observe for signs of crime or disorder and communicate any disturbances.

Participate in

• Participate in all manner of store maintenance (general cleanliness).

• Participate in a store culture of inclusion, positivity, and education.

• Participate in company provided training programs.

• Participate in staff events, outings and promotional events.

Perform

• Perform job functions with attention to detail, speed, and accuracy.

• Perform other duties or projects as assigned by any other Shift Lead, Manager or Superior.

• Perform pre-roll creation as necessary.

• Perform reception duties as needed– Check Identification and / or credentials of guests.

Pick

Pick, pack and fulfill product orders.

Process

• Process online "click and collect” orders.

• Process sales transactions accurately and efficiently using the dispensary's point-of-sale system.

• Process transactions through the store point-of-sale system.

• Process transactions through the store point of sale system (POS).

Provide

• Provide a friendly and informative experience to each customer.

• Provide an educational and informative experience for all customers.

• Provide creative input to enhance customer experience (product and store).

• Provide detailed information about various strains, effects, potency, and consumption methods.

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Provide excellent customer service and manage any concerns.

• Provide exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries, resolving complaints, and building rapport with customers.

• Provide motivation and keep employee morale high.

• Provide outstanding customer service.

Receive

Receive and store product shipments.

Recognize

Recognize signs of impairment and / or abuse and immediately report this information to supervisor.

Report

Report any cash discrepancies to Store Manager or designate.

Resolve

• Resolve customer complaints through escalation or by providing relevant.

• Resolve guest concerns and complaints in a friendly manner.

Respond to

Respond to guests in a friendly manner with an appropriate sense of urgency.

Restock

• Restock inventory and replenish supplies.

• Restock products when necessary.

Seek

Seek opportunities to contribute to and improve business results on a daily basis.

Sell

Sell Safe alone will not qualify you to work in a Cannabis retail environment.

Stay

• Stay up to date on current strains and products on offer.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, new product releases, and changes in cannabis legislation

Suggest

Suggest products and complimentary items appropriately.

Support in

• Support in the upkeep and cleanliness of our space in a way that propels our brand and standards.

• Support the store leadership team.

• Support with completing all tasks and duties, as assigned.

• Support with completing all tasks and duties within the store architecture, as assigned.

• Support with inventory management to ensure guests have access to the right stock to drive sales.

Take

Take pride in personal appearance and show dedication to the job.

Understand

Understand what the guests are requiring and ensure we WOW our customers every time.

Verify

• Verify customers are over 18 years of age, with a valid government issued ID.

• Verify validity of identification of guests as per OLCC guidelines.

Wash

Wash and sterilize flower jars.

Welcome

• Welcome and assist all customers that visit the store.

• Welcome and greet all customers in a friendly manner.

Work

Work cohesively and professionally with co-workers.

Work with

• Work under the general supervision of the Store Manager and Customer Experience Coordinator.

• Work within the regulations established by the Government of Canada and AGLC.

• Work with team members to open and close the store.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Budtender:

1. Extensive knowledge of cannabis strains, effects, and various product types.

2. Familiarity with different consumption methods, such as smoking, vaping, or edibles.

3. Proficiency in point-of-sale systems for processing transactions and inventory management.

4. Understanding of local and state regulations governing cannabis sales and compliance.

5. Ability to accurately calculate dosages and explain potency levels to customers.

6. Knowledge of cannabis-related terminology and industry jargon.

7. Familiarity with cannabis accessories and consumption devices.

8. Ability to use cannabis testing equipment and interpret lab reports.

9. Basic understanding of cannabis cultivation, including growing techniques and harvesting processes.

10. Proficiency in record-keeping and maintaining accurate sales documentation.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Budtender:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with a diverse range of customers.

2. Active listening skills to understand customers' needs and preferences effectively.

3. Empathy and patience when dealing with customers who are new to cannabis or have specific requirements.

4. Strong customer service skills to create a positive and welcoming dispensary environment.

5. Problem-solving abilities to address customer inquiries and concerns.

6. Teamwork and collaboration skills to work effectively with colleagues and contribute to a harmonious work environment.

7. Adaptability to keep up with evolving industry regulations and changing customer preferences.

8. Attention to detail to ensure accurate product information and proper labeling.

9. Time management skills to prioritize tasks and manage customer flow during busy periods.

Conclusion

As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, the role of a Budtender becomes increasingly important. Budtenders are not only responsible for providing excellent customer service but also for being knowledgeable ambassadors of cannabis products. Their expertise in strains, effects, and consumption methods is crucial in guiding customers toward products that best suit their preferences and needs.