How to Be a Budtender in Delaware

If you want to learn how to be a budtender in Delaware, our cannabis job guide covers Delaware’s cannabis market, budtender job description, requirements, and salary, and step-by-step instructions on how to land the job.

Whether you have some or no previous cannabis industry experience, we go through the ins and outs of getting hired in the industry.

Industry Snapshot: Delaware’s Medical Cannabis Program

Currently, Delaware allows for the medicinal use of cannabis. Adult-use cannabis is illegal although lawmakers have been pushing to legalize recreational marijuana.

Governor John Carney is in favor of decriminalization and expanding the state's medical cannabis program but has expressed concerns about adult-use marijuana.

Delaware legalized medical cannabis in May 2011, but didn't open its first dispensary until June 2015. Over the years, regulators have tried to expand the medical cannabis program and continue to fight for adult-use legislation.

In 2019, Delaware brought in about $37 million in revenue and supported about 720 cannabis jobs.

Delaware Budtender: Job Description & Requirements

No matter what state you’re working in, budtenders must be knowledgeable, friendly, and able to build a rapport with medical or recreational customers.

In a medical dispensary, also known as a compassion center, recommendations for products and strains take on a new level of importance.

As a budtender, it's up to you to help new and returning patients sift through the wide range of cannabis strains and products to help them find a specific solution to their medical conditions.

From the moment they walk into the dispensary, you'll ensure they are eligible to purchase cannabis and properly dispense the product while remaining compliant with state rules and regulations.

In Delaware, there are a few legal requirements for those hoping to work in the cannabis industry.

Legal Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older
• Must pay a non-refundable $125 application or renewal fee in the form of a check made out to “State of Delaware-MMP” for a registry identification card
• Must not have been convicted of an excluded felony offense or drug misdemeanor within 5 years

On top of the state’s legal requirements to become a cannabis employee, applicants must meet the job requirements, which vary by dispensary.

Generally, these are the most in-demand requirements for a budtender:

• Retail, customer service, or hospitality experience (preferred)
• Knowledge of the cannabis industry, strains, and products
• Must be friendly, outgoing, and reliable
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays

If hired, budtenders must receive, as a minimum, training in the following:

• Professional conduct, ethics, and state and federal laws regarding patient confidentiality
• Informational developments in the field of medical use of cannabis
• The proper use of security measures and controls that have been adopted
• Specific procedural instructions for responding to an emergency, including robbery or violent accident

Minimum Age Requirement

All medical cannabis employees must be at least 21 years of age to work in the industry.

While patients must be 18 years of age (or minors with parental or legal guardian consent) to get a medical cannabis card in Delaware, they cannot work in a medical cannabis establishment if they are under the age of 21.

How Much Do Budtenders Make in Delaware?

Average base budtender salary: $37,596

In Delaware, budtender salaries can range between $33,483 and $41,936, depending on the facility, a job applicants’ experience, and other skills and qualifications related to the budtending job.

Where to Find Budtender Jobs in Delaware?

Currently, the state of Delaware has 3 vertically-integrated operators managing 6 dispensary locations found in the following counties:

• 3 in New Castle County
• 1 in Kent County
• 2 in Sussex County

As the medical marijuana patient count keeps growing in the state, lawmakers are continuing to add new medical cannabis licenses to meet demand.

In February 2021, the state doubled it's dispensary count with three new business licenses. The new license holders plan to open 5 new dispensaries across the state over the next year.

How to Get Hired as a Budtender in Delaware

Interested in getting hired by one of Delaware's medical cannabis dispensaries? Currently, the state's job market is very limited with only 6 dispensaries in the state (soon-to-be expanded by 5 additional dispensaries).

If you want to have the best chance of getting hired by a compassion center or the eventual adult-use market over the next few years, here's how to do it:

1. Do your research: Research Delaware cannabis laws to learn more about the market. Read up on blogs, books, industry publications, and more resources to get a better idea of how the industry works and where you can fit in.
2. Get educated:  Enroll in Cannabis Training University’s online budtender training to learn all the skills and information needed to become a budtender anywhere. Plus, you get to learn other practical information such as how to grow cannabis, how to make cannabis edibles, how to use cannabis as medicine, and so much more!
3. Earn job experience: If you don't have any direct industry or job experience, find relevant work outside of the cannabis industry. Look for jobs in customer service, retail, or hospitality that are customer-facing and involve cash handling and a fast-paced environment.
4. Prepare a resume and cover letter: With the right experience and education, you can begin to craft your budtender resume and cover letter to submit with every budtender job application.
5. Apply: Check job boards daily to ensure you are the first to apply. Often, it can take mere hours for hiring managers to get enough applications. It's up to you to strike while the iron is hot.
6. Interview: If you follow these steps, you are more likely to land a job interview. If you haven't heard back after a week, follow up to stay top-of-mind. During the job interview, you'll have a chance to show off your knowledge and personality.
7. Registry ID card: If you get hired, you'll need to pass a background check and complete a registry identification card application, as well as pay the required $125 fee.
8. Start working: If you pass the background check and complete your registry ID card application, you are ready to clock in and start your new career!

Online Budtender Training For How to Be a Budtender in Delaware

Are you interested in joining Delaware's growing medical cannabis industry? Do you want to be prepared for the eventual adult-use industry in the state?

If you answered yes to either question above, we recommend enrolling in Cannabis Training University’s online budtender training.

CTU’s curriculum teaches students the science of cannabis, cannabis laws, and much more information. Learn how to speak knowledgeably to customers and job interviewers about cannabis products and the industry, in general.

What are you waiting for? Enroll today!