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Our guide on “How to Become a Budtender in Oklahoma” teaches you the ins and outs of Oklahoma’s medicalmarijuana laws, budtender responsibilities, and how to get hired out of the hundreds of job applicants vying for the in-demand position.

Overview of the Medical Marijuana Program in Oklahoma

Market Size and Job Count

Medical marijuana use was legalized in 2018 and, since then, Oklahoma has grown into one of the most robust medical marijuana programs in the nation. In January 2020, one in 13 adult Oklahoma residents were a medical cardholder.

Under Oklahoma’s medical marijuana laws, residents don’t need to have a specific qualifying medical condition to participate in the program. Instead, it’s up to the physician’s discretion to provide you with a recommendation if they feel it can help provide relief.

Today, the state leads the country in the number of medical marijuana dispensaries with more than 2,200 and ranks second for dispensaries per capita. Oklahoma leads the nation in per-capita dispensaries in medical cannabis states,with 56 per 100,000 residents.

It’s a job seeker’s market. There are many entry-level and management job opportunities available in the state. In 2020, Leafly reports that Oklahoma cannabis companies added 6,237 jobs for a total of 16,759 full-time cannabis jobs. In 2020, the state’s cannabis market brought in $810 million.

Laws

  • Medical possession: Registered patients and caregivers may possess up to 1 oz concentrate and 72 oz of edible products. They can also possess up to 3 oz flower on their person and up to 8 oz flower at their home.
  • Medical cultivation: Registered patients and caregivers may grow up to 6 mature plants and 6 seedlings.

What is a Medical Cannabis Budtender?

In Oklahoma, a budtender is an integral part of the medical dispensary team. You must be energetic, outgoing, and friendly. You must welcome customers to the dispensary, check their identification documents, and answer any questions regarding products, consumption methods, dosing, and medical conditions/symptoms.

After you’ve found the right form of relief for the patient, you’re responsible for processing order payments through a point-of-sale (POS) system. You must handle cash in a speedy and efficient manner. During your downtime, you’ll have to keep inventory stocked, as well as clean and organize your work area.

Oklahoma Budtender Requirements

If you want to get a job as an Oklahoma budtender, here are the most common state and store requirements you need to have to be qualified for the position:

  • 21 years or older
  • High school diploma or equivalent (preferred)
  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Basic knowledge of marijuana
  • Cash handling experience
  • Flexible schedule
  • Dependable
  • Ability to multitask in a high volume, fast-paced work environment
  • Team-oriented
  • Ability to carry at least 30 pounds

How Much Do Budtenders Make in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, budtenders can earn anywhere between $8 to $14 an hour. Entry-level budtenders can makebetween $8 and $12 an hour. Lead budtenders with supervisory responsibilities can earn between $11 and $14 an hour.

The average wage of a budtender in Oklahoma is about $11 an hour. The average budtender salary in Oklahoma City is about $11 an hour, about 20 percent lower than the national average.

Apart from your regular salary, expect to earn additional compensation in tips, bonuses, and store discounts.

Cannabis Career Possibilities in Oklahoma

Becoming a budtender in Oklahoma can be a good starting point to a higher-salary position in almost any sector of the cannabis industry. By showing competence, dedication, and passion for your craft, you can earn your way up to leadership or managerial roles within the dispensary and possibly open a retail store someday.

Cannabis job opportunities in retail include:

  • Receptionist
  • Purchasing and inventory specialist
  • Assistant store manager
  • Dispensary manager

Budtender jobs in Oklahoma can also be a great entry point in the industry if you want to explore other areas of the industry. Dispensary experience can catch a recruiter’s eye if you’re applying for a position in cannabis cultivation, cannabis manufacturing, cannabis testing, or any other cannabis industry position.

High-paying cannabis jobs include:

  • Head grower
  • Extraction lab manager
  • Edibles chef
  • Compliance manager
  • Cannabis sales representative

Budtender Job Opportunities in Oklahoma

Budtender job openings can be found all throughout the state of Oklahoma. In terms of dispensary count, Oklahoma City has, by far, the highest number of medical dispensaries in the state. If you’re looking for budtender work, Oklahoma City is a good place to start. Budtender jobs in Tulsa are also plentiful.

Budtender work can also be found in these cities:

  • Edmond
  • Lawton
  • Midwest City
  • Moore
  • Muskogee
  • Norman
  • Stillwater
  • Claremore
  • Durant
  • Poteau
  • Miami
  • Hammon
  • Blanchard
  • Idabel
  • Sapulpa

How to Become a Budtender in Oklahoma

There’s no clear-cut way to get hired as a budtender in Oklahoma. However, you can obtain the skills needed to become a successful budtender in a variety of similar jobs, especially ones that center around hospitality, customer service, and retail.

Here are a few tips to help you land a cannabis budtender job in Oklahoma.

Know the Laws

Before you can even start applying for a budtender job in Oklahoma, you must be up-to-date with all of your state’s medical marijuana laws. While Oklahoma is a relatively easy-going medical state with few restrictions, laws can change quickly. Knowing the regulations can help you keep the dispensary compliant with state regulations.

Know the Products

Oklahoma’s medical cannabis products include flower buds, concentrates, and edibles. As the customer’s liaison, you’ll recommend specific cannabis brands, products, and strains to patients depending on their medical conditions and therapeutic needs. You must understand how different delivery methods work and provide dosing tips for first-time patients.

Enroll in an Industry Training Program

In Oklahoma, industry training is not a requirement for working in the medical cannabis program. However, enrolling in a renowned training program can provide you with a complete education on the most important parts of the industry. Even if you are a seasoned user, a training program can help you fill any knowledge gaps.

Create the Perfect Resume and Cover Letter

If you think you’re ready to become a budtender, make sure to prepare an updated resume and cover letter, specifically customized for the dispensary with the job opening. A resume must include transferable skills such as cash handling or customer service experience.

Pro tip: Create a master resume with all of your skills, qualifications, job experience, education, and other pertinent information as a template for each application you send out. Use terms and phrases used in the job ad naturally in your resume and cover letter to show attention to detail.

Don’t forget to include any additional cannabis training you have. CTU provides students with budtender training in Oklahoma or anywhere else in the world. Certification from our renowned cannabis training program can set you apart from the rest of the job applicants.

Network

Networking with those in the industry can help you make new like-minded friends and also industry connections to companies that may be hiring budtenders. Start by creating a professional presence on networking platforms like LinkedIn or sites dedicated to cannabis professionals such as Leafwire.

Attend local industry events, including virtual events and seminars to learn from experts in the industry and connect with industry professionals.

It can help if you join cannabis-friendly groups on different social media platforms. There are many subgroups focusing on different sectors such as extraction, cooking, cultivation, and more.

Working with a cannabis recruiter can help expand your network and provide you with job opportunities not found elsewhere. Job recruiters can also help you connect with those in the industry if you are a good fit.

When you do make that connection in person, you need a snappy elevator pitch that quickly summarizes your skills for the job you are looking for.

Apply Every Day

Since cannabis jobs across the country are in demand, you must stay on top of new job ads being posted every day. Often, hiring managers can receive hundreds of job applications within a few hours of posting the job ad. Set an alert on major jobs boards like Indeed, Monster, or ZipRecruiter, or check daily to ensure your resume and cover letter get seen by hiring managers.

Prepare for the Interview

If you have the right skills, job experience, and dedication, you may be called in for an interview. Preparing for the interview can help you feel and look more confident. Practice common job interview questions and prepare some questions of your own about the company, the position, and the next steps after the interview.

Oklahoma Budtender Certification

Ready to start your cannabis career by becoming a budtender in the Sooner State? While industry training is not a requirement, budtender certification from Cannabis Training University, the world’s leading industry training institute, can make your resume and cover letter stand out.

There are over 300,000 jobs in the cannabis industry. CTU trained me for one of them!

marijuana extraction course - Johanna Rose
Makes $24.50 @ THC +

Get the dispensary training you need to fill your knowledge gaps with CTU’s online marijuana college full of in-depth programs on the essentials of the cannabis industry.

CTU’s online cannabis training programs cover:

  • Cannabis medicine
  • Cannabis cultivation
  • Cannabis cooking
  • Cannabis extraction
  • Cannabis laws
  • Cannabis jobs
  • Cannabis business
  • Budtending

Learn to grow cannabis at home, land a job, or start your own business, all with CTU.

CTU benefits include:

  • 100% online. Learn at your own pace from anywhere.
  • 100% legal worldwide
  • 24/7 online access
  • Access to all course content for 12 weeks
  • More information than any other cannabis college
  • More graduates in cannabis jobs than any other cannabis college

Learn more about CTU’s curriculum and enrollment.

Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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