Cannabis Jobs: How to Become a Budtender in Colorado

As the cannabis industry continues on an upward trajectory, more exciting job opportunities are opening up in marijuana dispensaries across the country. One of the most popular positions on the retail side of cannabis? Budtending. Learn more about this position and how to grow it into a career.

Are you interested in turning your familiarity with cannabis into a full-time profession? You may consider becoming a professional budtender. The ideal budtender becomes the backbone of a cannabis dispensary, displaying a wealth of knowledge on cannabis products, maintaining a full understanding of cannabis regulations, and exuding a positive, professional attitude. Bonus points for those who have former retail experience and a passion for cannabis.

So, what makes a successful budtender? Becoming knowledgeable about state laws and regulations within the cannabis industry is important. Additionally, every budtender needs to understand elite customer service, recommending cannabis products to suit a customer’s individual needs. Budtenders are brand ambassadors for a dispensary that sells products from various cannabis vendors, including buds, edibles, concentrates, and even clones for home and commercial growing.

In this guide, we will be discussing a budtender’s primary duties and how you can get started as a budtender in the state of Colorado.

What Is a Budtender?

A bud tender is a customer service expert who specializes in cannabis knowledge , and is tasked with recommending the right cannabis products to each customer. As bud tenders are essential to the cannabis industry, the position is becoming more competitive in states where cannabis is legal, including Colorado.

If you’re a Colorado-based dispensary owner looking to hire local bud tenders, consider working with Hemp Temps, a full-service cannabis employment agency, matching knowledgeable bud tenders with cannabis businesses across the State of Colorado.

Job Description

Like the majority of customer service positions within the retail industry, a bud tender in the cannabis industry is client-facing most of the time. As a bud tender, one must interact with customers daily and learn about their preferences to achieve ultimate customer satisfaction. The best bud tender is friendly, communicative, personable, and knowledgeable.

While ensuring customers have a safe, pleasant shopping experience, a successful bud tender will share their passion for cannabis and knowledge about trending cannabis products. Bud tenders know how to recommend responsible doses of high-quality cannabis products that match a client’s preferences. Bud tenders typically have an in-depth understanding of terpenes, grow methods, ethical sourcing, and the other factors that go into buying great weed – not just the THC percentage.

Daily Tasks

In addition to customer service and cannabis knowledge, a budtender will need to perform several administrative duties while working in a dispensary. A budtender’s essential duties may include:

• Managing inventory
• Keeping records of products
• Reaching product sales goals
• Marketing on social media
• Following state compliance
• Securing customer identification
• Organizing store products

Average Pay

So, how much can you make as a budtender?

According to Glassdoor, as of 2021, American budtenders earn an average of $32,966 per year or $16.91 per hour. Many dispensaries also offer the option to tip, so budtenders may make extras in tips and gratuity.

How To Become a Budtender in Colorado

Hoping to work as a budtender in the first legal recreational cannabis state, Colorado? To work as a Colorado budtender, you’re required to become a state-licensed cannabis worker by obtaining your Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) Badge.

MED Badge

To get a MED Badge in the State of Colorado, you must:

1. Be 21 or older,
2. Prove your Colorado residency with a Colorado Driver’s License or ID,
3. Get your fingerprints taken at a third-party location,
4. Complete and submit an application form to the MED offices in Lakewood, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, or Longmont,

Keep in mind that if you’re applying to work at any cannabis dispensary in the State of Colorado, you’ll also need to include a photocopy of your MED Badge with your job application.

Finding a Job

With the cannabis industry evolving rapidly, budtending is more prevalent than ever.

Looking for a part-time or full-time budtending role in the cannabis industry? Hemp Temps is here to be a helpful industry resource, matching Colorado-based cannabis dispensaries with expert budtenders. We offer budtenders who deliver quality services while maintaining a complete understanding of the cannabis industry.

Now that you know how to become a budtender, Hemp Temps will help you get started so you can advance in the cannabis industry with ease. To apply, visit our website here.

Additionally, follow or connect with Hemp Temps on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest cannabis news in Colorado.

Get started

If learning Cannabis related skills, techniques, and terminology peaks your interest you will be excited to know we have a plethora of online lessons to prepare you for the jobs available on the Hemp Temps App.

Getting started for job seekers is as easy as creating a social media account. We have an orientation video to guide you through the process and once complete you can begin learning everything there is to know about just about every Cannabis Job out there. After completing the mandatory lessons you can start working!

Click here to get started