How to Work at a Weed Dispensary

Interested in learning how to work at a weed dispensary? We’ve assembled a comprehensive career guide to helping you land the job of your dreams.

We cover the different types of dispensary jobs available, average salaries, and job qualifications. We also give you a step-by-step breakdown of how you can have the best chance at getting hired.

Dispensary Jobs: At-a-Glance

Cannabis dispensaries are licensed retail shops where medical and/or recreational customers can buy cannabis and cannabis-infused products.

• Medical dispensary: For medical patients with a doctor’s medical marijuana recommendation
• Recreational dispensary: For adults over the age of 21

Out of all the different cannabis industry jobs, dispensary jobs are some of the most in-demand jobs available. Retail jobs range from entry-level budtenders to high-paying dispensary manager positions.

Budtender

Budtender jobs are some of the most popular dispensary jobs available. Budtenders are the knowledgeable salespeople behind the counters at dispensaries. They are responsible for answering customer questions, completing transactions, and delivering an exceptional shopping experience.

Average salary: $14/hour

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Retail or customer service experience (preferred)

Cannabis Receptionist

In a dispensary, receptionists are responsible for greeting qualified patients and consumers and  checking their documentation and identification. Other duties include answering phone calls and emails, as well as updating online menus and daily deals.

Average salary: $14/hour

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED (preferred)
• Retail or customer service experience
• Reception experience
• Administrative office experience

Marijuana Delivery Driver

Dispensary delivery drivers must have strong time management and customer service skills. They must be able to fulfill and deliver dozens of orders in each shift in a timely manner. They must also check customer documentation, handle cash, and track every transaction.

Average salary: $14/hour

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED (preferred)
• Clean driving record (preferred)
• Customer service experience (preferred)
• Driver’s license

Security Guard

Security guards must greet guests, check IDs, and answer any of their questions before they enter the store. They must also identify and report incidents, regularly tour the facility to identify irregularities, and monitor surveillance equipment for suspicious activity.

Average salary: $16/hour

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Security experience
• Customer service experience
• Security guard card (if required)

Dispensary Inventory Specialist

Inventory specialists are responsible for managing all inventory-related tasks. Inventory tasks can include restocking dispensary shelves, ordering new inventory, and performing regular inventory audits.

Average salary: $14/hour

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED (preferred)
• Inventory management experience

Dispensary Manager

Dispensary managers manage every part of the store's operations. Common responsibilities include improving sales, supervising team members, resolving customer complaints, and ensuring all operations are compliant with state guidelines.

Average salary: $50k-$150k/year

Qualifications:

• Retail management experience
• Supervising experience
• Customer service experience
• Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, or relevant degree (preferred)

Minimum Age Requirement

In most legal states, cannabis industry employees must be over the age of 21 to work at a cannabis establishment, including a dispensary. In a handful of states, the minimum age requirement to work at a cannabis facility is 18 years of age.

Legal Requirements

In addition to the minimum age requirement, each state has a unique set of legal requirements that must be met to become eligible for cannabis industry employment. Legal requirements may include the following:

• Fees (paid by business or employee)
• Background check with no disqualifying offenses
• Completed application for a work permit
• Industry training

How to Land a Dispensary Job

Cannabis dispensary jobs are some of the most popular marijuana jobs in the industry right now. In order to increase your chances of getting the job, you need to have the right job experience, education, and passion for the industry.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can get hired at a dispensary:

1. Understand the industry: Research your state and local regulations to ensure you are eligible for employment. In addition, you must stay up-to-date about industry developments, trends, strains, and products.
2. Get dispensary and budtender certification: One of the most effective ways to learn about the industry as a whole is to enroll in a renowned industry certification program. Online cannabis career training can teach you exactly what you need to know to work in a dispensary. Getting certified by passing the final exam is also a great skill to add to your resume.
3. Gain job experience: Find work outside of the industry to gain the skills needed to work in a dispensary. Look for jobs that can help you gain customer service, retail, cash handling, and hospitality experience.
4. Create a resume and cover letter: Create a resume and cover letter that details your work history, education, and skills. Create a master resume and customize it for every job application.
5. Apply: Check online job boards daily or set an alert to remind you when a new job is posted. Look up “dispensaries hiring near me” to find job ads across several job boards and company websites. Apply as soon as you can to ensure the hiring manager sees your application. If necessary, call the dispensary or stop by in-store to ask if they are hiring.
6. Network: Many marijuana industry jobs are filled through word-of-mouth instead of through job ads. For the best chance of getting hired, attend local industry events and join online groups to meet industry employees and business owners.
7. Get the interview: If you manage to get the interview, research common interview questions. In addition, ensure you are familiar with the dispensary’s products, services, and work culture.
8. Follow-up: After the interview, send the interviewer a thank you email for their time. Wait about a week after you expect to hear from them to inquire about the job if you haven't heard back. Follow up a week after that for the last time to stay top-of-mind.
9. Start working: Getting a dispensary job may take several tries. Continue to improve your resume and practice for the interview since new weed jobs are added almost every day. Once you get the job, you may need to obtain a work permit to start working (depends on state regulations).

Cannabis Dispensary Job Training

Are you ready to enter the fastest-growing and most exciting industry in the nation?

Learning how to work at a weed dispensary will put you on the right track. Do you want to get a complete cannabis education from the most recognized industry training programs in the U.S. and Canada?

Enroll in one of Cannabis Training University’s online marijuana training programs ranging from how to open a dispensary to budtender training to cooking with cannabis and more. Gain access to in-depth curriculums covering major parts of the industry.

For an affordable rate, you can gain access to a curriculum with more course content than any other cannabis college. CTU is also proud to have the most graduates with cannabis industry jobs than any other college.

Start your cannabis career training today!