A dispensary is a type of retail store selling cannabis for medical use. Like a physical pharmacy, dispensaries sell cannabis-based products that are intended to help patients with specific ailments. Of course, all the cannabis sold in a dispensary is cannabis with no THC or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana. Here is the guide for ‘How to Get a Job at a Dispensary?’
Medical marijuana is a federally regulated product, so dispensaries are not permitted to sell cannabis that is grown in states where recreational marijuana is legal.
How to get a job at a dispensary?
If you want a job in a dispensary, we’ve got the ultimate guide to help you land a job at a dispensary. The list is filled with tips and tricks for anyone looking for a job at a dispensary. If you want to be part of the team at a dispensary, this is for you.
There are just a few of the many job titles and positions you can fill at a dispensary. Here is a step by step guide-
Step 1.) Decide what to do
If you’re new to the industry, you could have a long road ahead of you before you find yourself working in a dispensary. First, you’ll need to decide which dispensary you want to work for. Look for a location in your area that caters to cannabis users.
This is your chance to make a name for yourself! Do you have any previous experience in the industry? Does it give you a greater feel for the product? If so, you might have an opportunity to sell cannabis.
If not, you might be able to find a position as a cashier, customer service, or even at a dispensary tech team. When you consider all of these factors, you’ll be better able to make your decision about what type of work you’re looking for.
Before moving forward, you should first ask yourself what you’re looking for in a dispensary job. Once you have an idea of the type of position you want, you can start looking for an interview.
Some of the questions you should ask yourself include: How much cannabis experience do you have? What kind of personality do you have? What specific services do you have a strong interest in? What about the dispensary would you be passionate about? So, if you’re interested in selling cannabis, what type of job do you think that might be for you?
The shop floor is filled with tension. Dispensaries are a 24/7 operation that relies heavily on the relationships that exist between the employees. To find out what you want in a job in a cannabis store, you have to get your foot in the door.
What better way to get your foot in the door than to meet with someone who already works in this field? Asking a couple of simple questions will have you setting yourself up for success. Remember, you want to find a role where you can work your way up.
Most of the employees at cannabis clinics are medical patients. They know the products that work well, the techniques that work well, and the problems that do not. In addition, they know the trends in this industry and what works best for patients. This can be incredibly valuable information, so make sure you ask these questions.
Step 2.) Work as an extraction technician
Extraction technicians are referred to as technicians but not as extraction experts. A technician’s job is to run machinery which is capable of extracting raw materials into a finished product.
Available extraction jobs are abundant, which means there are dozens of extraction technicians currently seeking employment. Many work for dispensaries that are looking to expand, or in labs that are working to produce high-quality cannabis extracts.
Even though there are a great number of extraction jobs, the pool of qualified technicians is rather limited. The process of working for a dispensary or testing lab can take several years to perfect before you receive a positive employment assessment.
Extraction technicians are the first to produce cannabis extract products at medical marijuana dispensaries. There is a lot of potential within this industry and extraction technicians are the key. They are experts at making the product accurately, quickly, and efficiently.
This technician can customize strains and cartridges to fit the needs of the dispensary owner and patient. What skills are needed? The specialties of these individuals vary greatly. They can work with genetics and breeding, work with vape equipment and equipment that makes vaporizers work, and even work with cannabis concentrates.
You can be a part of the cannabis industry without ever touching the plant or even being at a dispensary. There are more and more cannabis jobs emerging. They can range from entry-level to experienced professionals. You can make a quick but legitimate income from these jobs.
It is possible to make your dream job a reality and turn your passion into your source of income. You will just have to be proactive in what your skills are and be willing to work hard to get your foot in the door.
Step 3.) Research local dispensaries
Research the dispensaries in your area. It’s important to take the time to educate yourself and look for a place that’s not only a good fit for you but your entire family.
Take the time to go to a session, get training if you’re applying for a sales associate or budtender position, why not go the extra mile and find a store that is offering cannabis training? This is where the dispensary you’re applying to can take a page out of your book.
The more the dispensary knows about you, the more likely they are to hire you. Know your priorities, the dispensary you want to work at should have at least the same qualifications as you do. If it doesn’t, you should look elsewhere.
Step 4.) Get certificate
Becoming a budtender or cultivator involves a lot of training, so if you are not up to speed, consider seeking out certification courses. There are a lot of legal restrictions when it comes to weed being sold in other states, so getting a certification will get you a green light for the workplace.
Check out companies like young entrepreneurs society, green rush university, cannlabs, green leaf, the marijuana center, or the academy of cannabis training. Take the anti-dope test, every budtender in the industry is required to take a drug test before they can obtain a license.
It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s usually a part of the application process.
Step 5.) Get more knowledge about cannabis
You may not have heard the terms THC and CBD before, but these words will become very important to the average medical marijuana user. Both are types of cannabinoids and are compounds in cannabis. They provide the psychoactive effects of the plant and can have a calming effect as well.
THC is a chemical compound that causes the “high,” and CBD is another chemical compound that has medical benefits and helps to decrease or stop the effects of THC. CBD is not psychoactive, and CBD-only products have been legalized in many states.
Everyone has heard of the different uses and benefits of cannabis. For instance, it can ease the pain of pain, which is why patients using cannabis for pain relief can become quite attached to the plant.
Perhaps you would like to get into research work regarding cannabis products and how they could be useful in helping people overcome various health conditions. Some professions require employees to know cannabis, and others require you to have some experience in using cannabis products.
Step 6.) Stay on top of trends and new releases
It is so diverse and so busy that you could use all of the help, you can get in staying on top of all the trends and the news. This is especially true for new job applicants who are looking for inspiration on what types of employment options they might want to seek.
Keep up to date with everything that you can. You’ll want to avoid sharing any false information, as this could make it much more difficult to get a job in the industry.
So, find out everything you can about the industry in your spare time, and go the extra mile to learn as much as possible, so that you can wow potential employers. You’ll want to use social media to your advantage. Start using social media sites to network with other industry professionals.
It’s really simple to stay on top of the latest trends in the cannabis industry, and it starts with educating yourself about cannabis. You’ll want to know what the hottest strains are, and you’ll want to know what to buy if you want to spice up your stash.
Once you know what you’re buying, you’ll have a better idea of how to prepare it, and what flavors you want to put into it. Make sure you also keep up on all the latest news, so you can stay in the loop with new products and technologies.
The cannabis industry is growing every single day, and more and more companies are popping up, so you’ll want to know all about the latest brands out there, and how to choose the best. Discover which CBD products are the most popular, and learn which ones will make you feel good.
Step 7.) Start looking?
Once you have narrowed down the type of job you want, and you’re ready to talk with employers, here’s how the job interview process works. As mentioned earlier, there are different aspects to finding the right job at a dispensary, and there are also many other entry-level jobs available as well.
Before you can even get started with any of the applications, you’ll have to do a little work on your own. There are two distinct ways that you can apply:
- On the dispensary’s website, if you’re able to find an open job posted there.
- Contact the dispensary directly and apply directly through their website.
The hours and salary of an average employee
The average employee is 35 years old. Most will be able to work in the dispensary for between 8 and 20 hours per day and will start at $12 to $15 an hour. If you decide to move up the chain you’ll get paid more.
Currently, 2,500 employees are working at 65 dispensary locations in California, and that number is growing every day. The hours a dispensary closes for a medical professional from 9 p.m to 9 a.m.
Even when the store is closed employees can still come in at the specified times and do minor maintenance. There will be more hours opening as the industry gets more regulated and there will be more competition for the store’s employees.
Education and experience requirements
A pharmacist, for example, must complete a degree from an accredited program in pharmacy and must have a state-issued medical marijuana card, as well. A dispensary may hire many individuals, and all of them must work in compliance with all regulations.
At this point in the industry, the range of positions available to applicants is vast and is generally dependent on the dispensary’s needs. However, there are a couple of requirements every employee should have.
A valid medical marijuana license even if the medical marijuana business is new. Having this license will be especially important if you’re working with food or cannabis products.
How to dress for your interview
Just because you have a job interview doesn’t mean you should show up to your interview in your workout clothes. The goal is to make a good first impression. To do so, your work outfit should complement your personality.
If you work out all of the time, you might opt for a pair of low-rise jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt. If you are on the shy side, you can keep it conservative by wearing a plain white button-up, black jeans, a plain black blazer or blazer, and a white button-down shirt.
Let’s take a look at some of the best advice about what to wear when you go to a dispensary interview: Keep It Simple: You don’t have to wear a bow tie or a full suit or anything crazy like that. Wear a simple collared shirt, polo style, or a solid collared shirt, polo style, and jeans.
What will the employer ask you during the interview?
You’ll need to answer all questions that the employer may have. Most will ask the same types of questions that any employer would ask, but they’re also looking for different answers from cannabis job seekers.
Typically employers are looking for things like your ability to carry a heavy case of plants from one room to another. It’s not just a customer service role. You’ll have to show proficiency at the work that’s necessary, not just the stereotypical weed job.
Many cannabis jobs also come with a lot of travel. The industry is growing and with that comes great opportunities, and increased responsibilities.
Tips for success
It’s important to understand what’s involved in becoming a cannabis industry employee. Know your rights. Every employee has the right to know the job responsibilities and training for the job they want.
Dispensaries are often hiring temporary part-time employees to fill up the shifts with marijuana enthusiasts to partake in the growing industry. Your role might be on-the-spot bud picker, product expert, budtender, etc.
Experience the selection of cannabis products and the smoking process. Select cannabis based on your experience and liking of the product. You’ll be allowed to have an opinion when it comes to selecting products.
You must be willing to go through a training process where you’ll learn about products and the licensing process.
Take some time to go back over the basic skills and some of the important information that will enhance your overall customer service. By using these tips, you’ll be making the greatest impact possible when trying to sell cannabis to the public.
Will you be hired?
The hardest part about getting a job at a dispensary is not getting hired. It’s getting the job! Many people are resistant to the pot and will come to realize that they don’t want a job there.
Remember, if you have any kind of criminal record, you are immediately disqualified from getting a job at any dispensary. The second hardest part is starting at the bottom or getting called for an interview.
Many times, these new employees will only have one interview and this is how people with negative reputations or criminal records are going to be put on the back burner. Make sure your resume is organized and professional when you start to get in touch with employers.
You can prepare a copy of your resume and bring it with you to the interview.
Business Insider reports, there are different types of cannabis dispensaries that have different hours. Some of them are open 24 hours. If you want to make some extra money and you can spare some time, you could make some extra cash by working as a marijuana dispensary cashier.
You can get paid anywhere from minimum wage to up to $20 an hour. Work in a dispensary or “budtender” store is ideal if you are looking to earn a bit more. The money is better, and you don’t have to deal with any of the pharmacological aspects of the job.
You can have access to the best cannabis products and still get a good paycheck.
Conclusion
Deciding what type of job in the marijuana industry will best suit your skills, interests, and needs is an art that has many steps. However, it’s an art that is completely worth pursuing.
There are a lot of aspects of the marijuana industry to explore, and it’s a great way to learn new skills and expand your horizons. The cannabis industry is a great opportunity to get a lot of experience.
Even the employees who are not directly working on cultivation or sales are employed by the dispensary. It’s a great place to land if you’re a college graduate or experienced in another field.
If you are unemployed, it’s great to learn how to grow marijuana so you can have a source of income. Cannabis is being accepted by more people every day.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the age criteria for dispensary jobs?
Ans- Generally, it’s 35 years old but it can be different in different locations.
- How do I qualify to get a job?
Ans- Follow the steps given in this article
- What is the average salary for the employee?
Ans- The average salary is $14.06 per hour in the US.
- Can I get a job at a dispensary without a degree?
Ans- No