What is a Budtender: Responsibilities & How To Become One

Budtender

An employee of a dispensary who works at the storefront to assist and educate customers about cannabis products.

A “budtender” is the cannabis industry lingo for a person who works as a sales associate at a dispensary. The word is formed from a combination of “bud” and “bartender,” as a budtender fulfills many of the same functions in a dispensary as a bartender does in a bar.¹ But they also do so much more than that.

Budtenders are cannabis experts that work at licensed marijuana dispensaries. Their job is to help the customers, whether they’re cannabis newbies or experienced connoisseurs. They do this by answering any number of questions about cannabis strains, marijuana products, cannabis tools, and more. Most budtenders will even share their recommendations if you really aren’t sure which direction to go with your purchase.

Essentially, a budtender’s role is to help shoppers navigate the products available to them in the dispensary and make the right selection for their needs. Great budtenders are personable and skilled listeners, able to translate the questions or preferences of both first-time consumers and cannabis pros into thoughtful, well-matched recommendations.

Beyond customer service, budtenders also act as educators and advocates. By offering clear, approachable information about cannabis at the individual level, budtenders are often the ones breaking down long-standing stigma. In many ways, they’re ambassadors for both the plant and the community that surrounds it.

Here’s just a sampling of typical budtender duties:

• Helping customers find the right product for them, understand cannabis-specific measurements, read product labels, and enjoy cannabis safely.
  
  

• Being knowledgeable about flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles, and tinctures, plus their dosages, effects, and proper accessories, to serve both recreational and medical cannabis customers.
  
  

• Staying up-to-date and informed on cannabis industry trends and changing regulations.
  
  

• Verifying IDs and maintaining legal dispensary operations.²
  
  

Budtender roles are typically entry-level, and won’t necessarily require specific cannabis retail experience. However, many dispensaries and cannabis organizations do look for candidates with a background in customer service, hospitality, or sales; anything that demonstrates you’re comfortable working with people and can provide helpful, friendly guidance. 

When browsing budtender job postings, you may see additional requirements like:

• A high school diploma: Most dispensaries will only consider applicants who’ve obtained their high school diploma or GED.
  
  
• Legal age: In most states, the legal age for working in a dispensary is the same age you need to be to shop in one, which is 21 and over.
  
  
• Background checks: Dispensaries operate in a highly regulated environment, so budtender candidates must pass a background check. It’s an important step in verifying eligibility and maintaining compliance.
  

• Certification and licenses: While many dispensaries offer training after you’re hired, coming in with certifications already completed can help you stand out from the crowd. Take time to review your state’s specific requirements for budtender training and licensing so you understand what’s needed, and give yourself a head start before applying.³
  
  

Overall, becoming a budtender is similar to any other hiring process for a retail position. Highlight your customer service experience, showcase your passion for the industry, and you’ll be a budtender in no time.

Budtenders jobs are becoming more and more common as cannabis legality expands. Here are a few helpful questions and answers about this role.

Do I need to be certified to work in a dispensary? 

Budtender certification is mostly optional, but every state is different. Once hired as a budtender, the dispensary you work at may provide in-house educational courses and different paths to a variety of certifications.⁵

Should customers tip budtenders? 

Budtenders don’t expect tips, but providing one anyway can be a thoughtful gesture to show appreciation if they’ve taken extra care to guide you or make personalized recommendations. Just like you might tip a bartender for an excellent cocktail suggestion, a budtender’s guidance can merit the same courtesy. 

Unlike restaurants and bars, there’s no established amount to tip at a dispensary, but you can take into account how much time your budtender spent with you, how well they informed your selections, and the total cost of your purchase.⁴

That said, anything is appreciated. Cannabis can get pricey once taxes are added, so don’t feel pressured to hit any specific percentage. Tip what feels comfortable.

Do I need to be a cannabis expert to become a budtender? 

Not really, though you may want to familiarize yourself with some basics before applying. Depending on the market in your state, dispensary jobs can be very competitive. Customer service experience definitely helps, but a foundational level of cannabis knowledge can give you an edge over other candidates and make your first few weeks or months on the job easier. If nothing else, it shows that you’re interested and invested in the cannabis industry itself!

Do budtenders work at a dispensary?

Yes, budtenders work in adult-use or medical cannabis dispensaries. The term comes from a play on “bartender,” swapping the “bar” for “bud.”  

Do I need a medical marijuana card to be a budtender? 

No, you don’t need a medical marijuana card to work as a budtender. But your state may have other requirements, like registering with the official cannabis board or obtaining a specific work permit or license to legally sell cannabis.¹

How do budtenders learn all about marijuana?

If you’re interested in joining the cannabis industry, we recommend learning the basics of cannabis prior to interviewing. However, many dispensaries do not require previous cannabis experience and will likely provide all the training you may need.
 

Do you have to be 21 to be a budtender? 

Age limits vary by state, but the general rule is that you must be at least the minimum legal age to purchase cannabis. In most states, that age is 21.
 

Speak with a Budtender 

Budtenders provide helpful advice for all levels of cannabis connoisseurs and make going into a dispensary a fun experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Budtenders love to share their recommendations and help you find the perfect products for you.