Our cannabis career guide teaches you how to become a budtender in Michigan.
Learn the type of budtender training needed to excel in the retail cannabis field, budtender job descriptions and requirements, budtender salary, and which cities are hiring the most.
Free download
The Budtender Career Guide
The resume, interview and licensing basics for landing your first dispensary job — sent straight to your inbox, free.
Get the Free GuideMichigan legalized recreational cannabis use on December 6, 2018, to widespread fanfare. Under the new laws, any adult 21 or older can possess or use cannabis. If you’re 21 and over, you can travel with up to 2.5 ounces of flower or 15 grams of concentrate (with few exceptions).
You can have up to 10 ounces at home, but anything over 2.5 ounces should be locked away. Adults can grow up to 12 cannabis plants per household. If you grow your own weed, you can hold an unlimited amount of marijuana at home.
For most people, however, a cannabis dispensary is their one-stop-shop for cannabis flower, infused products, and accessories. Michigan issued a number of recreational dispensary licenses to open up the market with more shops set to open in the coming years.
Patients can still obtain a medical marijuana card with a doctor’s recommendation. Patients must have a qualifying condition to be eligible for medical marijuana use. People can visit medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries (and some with both types of cannabis).
Michigan has one of the most robust cannabis markets in the United States. Since recreational use became legal in 2019 the industry has grown year over year.
With nearly 1,000 dispensaries, Michigan offers numerous job opportunities in the cannabis sector.
As Michigan continues the success of its new recreational market, cannabis dispensaries in the state are in search of fun, outgoing, friendly, and knowledgeable budtenders who can answer any and all of a customer’s questions about the available products.
While budtenders work in a traditional retail setting, the job entails more than just completing a cash transaction.
Budtenders are tasked with recommending cannabis products such as edibles, concentrates, and topicals to customers to elicit their desired effects.
A Michigan budtender’s job responsibilities include:
The requirements to become a Michigan budtender include:
If you’re interested in becoming a budtender in Michigan, there are a few things to consider to improve your chances of getting hired. First of all, you must be 21 years or older and have a clean record to pass a background check.
Most dispensaries prefer budtenders to have at least one to three years of previous retail, customer service, and cash handling experience. More importantly, budtenders must be knowledgeable about the cannabis industry.
Budtending training is available in a variety of learning environments including online classes that catch you up to speed with the medicinal, legal, and commercial landscape of the industry. Cannabis certification could be the difference needed to stand out from the competition.
Create a resume with all of your transferable skills including prior customer service and cannabis experience. Don’t hesitate to include any cannabis training you’ve completed to show your passion for the plant and the community.
A short cover letter explaining why you want the job and why you’re the best person for it can also shine on your positive qualifications and skills. With a resume and cover letter completed, you can start sending out applications to any dispensaries hiring in your area.
Search for budtender, dispensary agent, herbologist, and wellness/cannabis consultant positions on online job boards.
If your skills match the dispensary’s requirements, you’ll get a call or email from the hiring manager to schedule an in-person interview. Research common budtender interview questions.
Make sure you know the basics of cannabis terminology, strain types, effects, and consumption methods. Dress to impress. A cannabis dispensary interview is anything but casual.
Even if you don’t get hired on your first try, Michigan’s burgeoning cannabis market is always looking for new budtenders to meet the surging demand. Keep applying to different dispensaries, reading up on cannabis topics, and learning from your mistakes.
If budtending isn’t your thing, there’s a wide range of cannabis careers you can aim for. From cultivation to cooking to extraction and more, the cannabis industry and its ancillary businesses offer exciting job opportunities for passionate individuals.
Budtenders in Michigan can expect to earn between $14 and $19 an hour depending on experience level.
According to data from Indeed, the average base salary for a marijuana budtender in Michigan is $15.75 per hour, five percent higher than the national average.
Budtenders can also expect certain job perks such as store discounts, employee discounts, paid sick time, flexible schedules, health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, professional development assistance, and retirement plans.
Michigan’s thriving medical and recreational cannabis market has plenty of entry-level and advanced job opportunities for the candidate with the right skills. If you’re hoping to get a budtending position in Michigan, here are the top cities you should look into:
Michigan does not require a specific budtender license, but there are important rules to note:
Budtending often serves as the first step into the cannabis industry. With experience, budtenders can advance into:
While certifications aren’t required in Michigan, they help job seekers stand out.
Budtenders must understand the state’s laws to properly advise customers:
No, Michigan does not require a special budtender license. However, employers must register you with the state’s Metrc system, and you’ll need to pass a background check.
Most budtenders in Michigan earn between $14 and $19 per hour, depending on experience, dispensary size, and location. Many positions also include tips or employee discounts.
You must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, and be officially registered by your employer in the state’s tracking system.
Dispensaries value strong customer service, cannabis product knowledge, compliance awareness, and soft skills such as patience, empathy, and communication.
It’s not mandatory, but certifications can improve your chances of getting hired, increase pay potential, and show employers you’re serious about the role.
Yes. Adults can legally grow up to 12 plants for personal use, as long as they follow state cultivation rules. This personal knowledge can even help you connect with customers.
Absolutely. Many budtenders advance into supervisory, management, cultivation, or corporate cannabis roles. It’s one of the best entry points into Michigan’s cannabis industry.
Budtender training can help you learn the tricks of the trade so you can land a dispensary job. CTU’s online cannabis training goes over the role and responsibilities of a budtender, customer service techniques, and the essential knowledge needed to become a marijuana expert.
More in Jobs
Check your state's cannabis laws
Budtender / dispensary roles
IACET Accredited Provider · online cannabis education
Since 2009 • 50,000+ students trained worldwide
Copyright Cannabis Training University, a subsidiary of Online Training Providers. © 2026. All Rights Reserved.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Legal Compliance: Cannabis remains federally illegal. Products and information are intended only for jurisdictions where cannabis use and possession is legal.
By using this site, you affirm that you are of legal age (21+) and responsible for understanding your local laws.
