How to Become a Budtender in Maryland

Our how-to guide will teach you how to become a budtender in Maryland. The Old Line State has seen big sales and job growth since its medical program began in late 2017.

Now is your chance to get in on the ground floor of a booming pot market. Ready to start your new career in Maryland? Keep reading for tips on how to get hired as a budtender.

Maryland’s Weed Laws

The state’s medical weed market is one of the strongest in the nation. It's up there among heavyweights like Florida, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Since 2013, the state had set-up medical weed laws, but shops weren’t active until December 2017. In 2015, the state decriminalized possession of 10 grams or less of weed.

Under the law, patients must be at least 18 years to buy or use weed. Minors can qualify with at least one caregiver, which can be a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21. Patients can register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC). They can submit their application before getting a written certification from a licensed doctor.

Maryland Budtender: Job Description & Requirements

Budtenders are in charge of helping patients find the right type of relief for their specific condition. As a budtender, you must provide exceptional customer service. From greeting patients as they enter the shop to answering questions about strains or products, you must maintain a positive and friendly attitude.

You must keep the displays fully stocked and your work area organized. You will check out patients at the register and keep track of the day's revenue. Budtenders must stand for long periods of time helping patients and stocking shelves.

In order to work in a Maryland dispensary, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Must have at least one year of work experience in customer service, sales, or retail
• Experience using point of sales system and other inventory software
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organization skills
• Ability to thrive in a high-sales volume environment
• Flexible schedule
• A passion for weed

How to Get Hired as a Budtender in Maryland

You must be at least 21 years of age and pass a criminal background check to work in the state's industry. Some stores prefer applicants with previous weed retail experience. Non-pot retail, customer service, and sales experience counts, too. Above all, shops are looking for applicants who know their weed and are passionate about helping patients find their medicine.

If your resume lacks the necessary experience needed to work as a budtender, you can enroll in online budtender training to amp up your credentials. Weed education gives you a thorough curriculum on various legal, medicinal, and other aspects of the industry. Getting certified means you’ve retained the information and can pass that on to patients with questions about strains, products, and use.

Creating a custom marijuana resume and cannabis cover letter is essential to making a good first impression. Some shops may not ask for a cover letter. You should include a short one to introduce yourself. A cover letter helps expand on the most important information in your resume. Look for jobs on job boards such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, or weed-specific ones, too.

Getting an interview with a carefully crafted cannabis resume and cover letter is the first step. The interview portion is your chance to explain why you are the best person for the job. Look up common interview questions and make sure you know your weed jargon.

It may take a few interviews (or more) to get hired by a pot shop. Budtending is an excellent starting point for a rewarding career in retail, cultivation, manufacturing, or any other sector in the industry.

How Much Do Budtenders Make in Maryland?

Budtenders in Maryland can make between $12 and $20 per hour. On average, they can make about $15.52 per hour, about 20 percent higher than the national average. Baltimore's average budtender salary is about $16.15 per hour, 25 percent higher than the national average.

Common budtender job benefits include employee discounts, store discounts, a flexible schedule, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid sick time, paid time off, health insurance, life insurance, parental leave, and employee assistance programs.

Where to Find Budtender Jobs in Maryland?

The state’s pot shop count has grown a lot from its first round of nine shops. Today, the state has 102 stores. Most shops are located in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.

The city of Baltimore has the most amount of shops per city at 16. Rockville follows behind with seven shops and Frederick has four stores. Maryland’s stores can be found throughout every part of the state.

Budtender Training in Maryland

If you’re ready to start your career in the weed industry, enroll in CTU’s online budtender training. Our courses guide you through customer service, cash handling, and using weed as a medicine. Certification gives you the additional skills needed to impress hiring managers. Sign up for CTU’s online weed college today!