Dispensary Basics: Proper Budtender Training

One of the most important aspects of managing any dispensary is ensuring your staff is knowledgeable and efficient. More than anything else, the staff you hire will make an impression on customers and represent your brand with every action they take.

While standards for training dispensary staff are still being developed, there are principles that every dispensary owner should keep in mind. Here are a few important tips to assist you with budtender training.

Budtender Training on Your Products

How many products do you carry? Can your budtenders speak comfortably about each brand? If not, your sales may suffer.

Having a staff that is well versed in everything you stock and ready to talk about the benefits and features of the various brands you so meticulously researched before adding them to your shelves is a must. Otherwise, you may find that customers come in and buy what they think will work well for them because of something a friend told them rather than engaging with your budtenders and finding the best product for their desired effects. The latter can help you build a lasting customer relationship and build trust as a reputable, knowledgeable dispensary.

One of the best ways we’ve found to help budtenders connect to products and learn more about them is through toptender. They’re committed to helping dispensaries build knowledgeable staffs!

Budtender Training on Patient Needs

While cannabis has developed a reputation as a recreational drug, millions of Americans rely on cannabis as a vital medicine to treat serious conditions. From anxiety to arthritis, many patients use cannabis as an alternative to prescription medications that may do more harm than good because of their numerous side effects.

The gravity of the budtender’s responsibility in providing care to cannabis patients cannot be understated. Budtenders should be well versed in specialized strain recommendations for a variety of conditions to ensure that patients are matched with the products they need.

Furthermore, dispensary staff is expected to be knowledgeable about the content of cannabis products. Customers want to know about the effects of THC and CBD and how much is in particular strains and products. They want to know about how particular terpenes may affect them or the best consumption methods.

Finally, budtenders must be able to provide information about proper dosing procedures to inexperienced customers, especially those attempting to use certain edibles or concentrates for the first time. By creating modules and quizzes with a platform like toptender, you can ensure that your staff is up-to-date on their cannabis knowledge.

Budtender Training on Being Proactive with Customers

Budtender training should also emphasize interactivity with customers. For many first-time cannabis customers, the experience of visiting a dispensary can be unnerving or confusing. Dispensary staff should be equipped with the skills to put customers at ease and make any trip to the dispensary an inviting experience.

With this in mind, budtenders should ask customers about their specific goals. Asking customers what type of product or strain they want is a helpful way to start a conversation and allows budtenders to share important info about everything from cannabinoid content to pricing.

In certain areas, dispensaries are a dime a dozen. To stand out among what is becoming a crowded field, it’s crucial that you focus on and highlight every aspect of your business that sets you apart. One of the most important is your staff. Invest in your staff, and you’ll see the rewards!