Illinois Cannabis Training Center, Inc. 2021 Midwest Road Ste. 200 Oak Brook, IL 60523
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What Every Dispensary Worker in Illinois Should Know
Land your dream dispensary job with these tips!
Are you considering a career in the cannabis industry? With the growth of the industry, we can’t blame you! The cannabis industry is booming and the time is now to jump in.
For many would-be industry workers, the best way to get your foot in the door is through a dispensary job. Dispensaries are the main retail environment in cannabis. Dispensaries are both a forward facing and plant touching business which make them perfect entry-level career opportunities for those trying to break into the cannabis industry.
There are several open dispensary jobs in Illinois, and if you’re ready to start your cannabis career today, head over to our
job board. We have the most up-to-date cannabis career opportunities and open dispensary jobs in Illinois.
A position as a budtender can give you the experience and cannabis knowledge necessary to get ahead in the cannabis industry. It is a tried and true method to gain access to the cannabis industry experience while still developing your cannabis knowledge. While you’ll mostly be learning on the job through hands-on experience, there are still some things you should know before applying for a dispensary job in Illinois.
Becoming a Budtender
Since the cannabis industry is still federally unregulated, each state has their own laws and compliance regulations for the industry. Some states require licensing and have strict guidelines for their dispensary employees, so be sure to check your state’s local regulations before applying for a dispensary job.
We wrote an article a few months back on becoming a budtender in Illinois. If you know you’re ready to start your career, that’s a good place to begin.
How to Become a Budtender in Illinois (2022)
What Every Budtender Should Know
Whether or not you know it, budtenders can make or break the dispensary experience. With the cannabis industry in Illinois still being in its infancy, most consumers are undereducated and require lots of hand-holding and guidance from their budtenders.
A good budtender is always learning and expanding their knowledge base to create a stellar experience for customers. But, here’s a few basics you should know before applying for your dream dispensary job in Illinois:
- Current state regulations and compliance standards
- Basic product knowledge
- Customer service and communication skills
- Money management and basic math
Current State Regulations and Compliance Standards
Being up-to-date and current on compliance standards is vital for all dispensary workers. Until cannabis is federally regulated, states set their own compliance standards, and as any dispensary worker will tell you, they are constantly changing.
Dispensaries are reliant on their employees to stay within compliance in order to keep their doors open. From checking IDs to packaging and handling of products, there are a plethora of rules enforced by each state and it is vital you are doing your part to stay informed and compliant.
Before you start lining up interviews for dispensary jobs in Illinois, read up on the current Illinois regulations and compliance standards.
Dispensary Product Knowledge
Budtenders are expected to be cannabis experts. When a customer comes in complaining of back pain and sleep problems, it is the responsibility of the budtender to point them to perfect strain to relieve their ailments and keep them coming back for more.
Brushing up on your terpene and strain knowledge is one way to ensure you land your dream dispensary job in Illinois. Dispensary managers want to know you understand the difference between product offerings, know the benefits and possible side effects of cannabis, and can curate a positive experience for customers. ICTC has a number of dispensary training options to develop helpful knowledge for cannabis industry success. Those based in Illinois can take our Accelerated Dispensary Bootcamp to gain hands-on experience.
Don’t downplay your own experience, either! Your background in cannabis as a consumer will also bode you well when landing your first dispensary job. The knowledge you’ve collected over the years is definitely worth noting in your interview to highlight what you know!
Customer Service in Cannabis
Budtenders are the most forward facing career option in the cannabis industry. Although different from most retail jobs, dispensary workers are still in the customer service industry.
As a dispensary worker, you are responsible for creating an enjoyable and positive experience for customers. You should be an expert at making people feel comfortable regardless of where they are in their cannabis journey. Customers will rely on your product knowledge and friendly demeanor to make their experience a positive one.
Having strong customer service skills will also make the job more enjoyable for you. If you know customer service isn’t for you, that’s okay! There are plenty of other cannabis career opportunities on our job board that may better suit your needs.
Money Management
There is a heavy cash flow in the cannabis industry. Money is constantly exchanging hands. Since banking options for the cannabis industry are limited, most transactions are done in cash.
Before you apply for that dispensary job, brush up on your addition and subtraction. Calculators are your friend, but the ability to do quick mental math will only boost your chances of succeeding in the cannabis industry.
Start Your Cannabis Career Today
Do you think you have what it takes to land a dispensary job in Illinois? We think so!
Apply for your first dispensary job today.
Want to feel confident in your knowledge and gain an extra boost over your competition? Our training programs like the
Dispensary and Cannabis Retail online course can help. We have over 40 hours of online learning to help you get ahead in the cannabis industry.
