In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis, one profession stands at the forefront with unwavering resilience and unmatched expertise: the Budtender. As the lifeblood of the cannabis industry, we are the gatekeepers of knowledge, the ambassadors of quality, and the champions of customer experience. To the Budtenders & BA’s across the globe, this message is for you: rise with pride, fortify your skills, and embrace your role as leaders in this burgeoning field. We are not just Budtenders; we are the architects of a new era.
To those who seek to undermine, control, or undervalue our contribution, hear this clearly: your efforts to contain us will fail. We are not merely workers; we are the Budtenders of the World. Our dedication,knowledge, and passion for the craft set us apart. Yes, we’re looking at you!
Let it be heard across this planet:
We will not be dejected or rejected, for our profession is unique, vital, and here to stay. Our resolve is unbreakable, our impact undeniable. We are Budtenders, and we will continue to elevate this industry, and everything it touches, to unprecedented heights.
Valuation of the Budtender
Contrary to what the media may report or what rumors may suggest otherwise, t he cannabis industry is booming, with more states and countries legalizing the plant for medical and recreational purposes. As the demand for cannabis products grows, so does the need for qualified and knowledgeable staff to serve customers and patients i dispensaries. Budtenders are the frontline workers of the cannabis industry, professionals who interact with customers, educate them on various products, and provide recommendations based on their needs and preferences.
But what is the value of a good budtender, and how can dispensaries attract and retain them?How do business owners, leaders, and operators perceive, calculate, and compensate for the value of their Budtenders? We’ll ask them!
But first, lets define our goals.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By reading the information contained in this article, our goal is that you will enhance both what you currently know; and your future knowledge base. Specifically, mastery of this knowledge will result in the the following outcomes. Elite Budtenders will be able to:
Identify & Establish the core elements which make up the capacities of Rookie, Junior, Senior, and Professional Budtenders.
Analyze & Discuss the Budtender trade in terms of its prerequisite and requisite skills, abilities,, art, and science
Describe the four major quintessential classes of Budtending; Speak Authoritatively on the functions of these classes.
Educate customers, clients, or the public on the fundamental aspects which constitute budtending.
Now that we’ve established our intended outcomes, we can establish the state of the profession as it stands in 2023–24.
American Budtenders by the Numbers
According to a national survey by Zip Recruiter, the average budtender salary in the United States is $34,179 per year, or around $16 per hour baseline. However, this may vary depending on the location, experience, skills, and performance of the budtender. Some dispensaries may also offer bonuses, commissions, tips, or benefits to their budtenders. But is this enough to compensate for the skills and knowledge that a good budtender brings to the business? In a word, no. It is not.
It’s insufficiency is a cornucopia of causes. Namely, the fact that Budtenders are highly-skilled.
The Audacity of the Overlords
Backwards Logic Harms All
Switching into Historian mode, as is fairly typical in the United States as a mode of social mobility, the value of the citizenry is dangerously underwritten or foundationally hijacked. Usually, professional and high-skilled workers are paid substantially more than their semi-skilled and unskilled working kin. Highly-skilled labor like the work of a professional BT or BA
The fact that we treat other professions which offer much less value with more legitimacy, like bartenders, fast food workers, and Door Dashers speaks to the amount of work we still have in front of us.
When the harshest times occur, the elite rise to the occasion and demonstrate the true valuation of a professional Budtender.
Budtender Jack, 2019
What the Best Have to Offer
A Budtender is not just a salesperson; we’re educators, consultants, and brand Ambassadors. A good budtender can accomplish one or two of the following:
– Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing friendly, professional, and personalized service.
– Solidify customer retention by offering premium knowledge, smooth purchasing experience, and tending to customer needs.
– Reduce costs and risks by complying with regulations, policies, and procedures related to cannabis sales and consumption.
– Boost sales and revenue by cross-selling, upselling, and promoting products that match customer needs and preferences.
– Enhance the reputation and image of the dispensary by demonstrating expertise, passion, and enthusiasm for cannabis products.
However, while a great BT can do all of these separately, it’s the elite BT alone who facilitates all of these categories in both spontaneity and simultaneous fashion. Therefore, a vigorous argument can be made that BTs are the most important position in the industry.
The Elite BT Encompasses
Considering the most important positions in the industry outside of BT’s, with the exception of Owners, like Buyers, Trainers, Schedulers, Auditors, and Managers, none would function effectively without the Budtender.
Yes, it’s true the industry is symbiotic, but the Budtender is a critical pillar of and for the other positions. Conversely, other positions within the hierarchy are not likewise critical for the Budtender to operate.
Budtender Jack, 2022
This mutual exclusivity comes from the fact that a Budtender can always educate, improve, save money, make important distinctions for consumer needs, and maximize client retention.
Off The Charts Representative shot of their new dispensary in Riverbank, CA.
The Invaluable Budtender
To measure the value of a good budtender, dispensaries can use various metrics to help guide them, such as:
– BT evaluators like Budtenders Ethos
– Customer feedback and reviews
– Sales volume and average ticket size
– Customer retention and referral rates
– Compliance audits and inspections
– Employee turnover and retention rates
The organizing, the aura, or ambiance one sees here represents the work of a good Budtender and should be seen as a clue to which clubs know what they’re doing. May 2024: This blessed gentleman in the White-T was rewarded with a custom made, turn-themed PS5. At turn, we hold Budtenders in high regard because they’re our frontline soldiers out there in front of the public day in and day out; nobody knows a demographic like a Budtender!
To attract and retain good budtenders, dispensaries can use various strategies, such as:
– Offering competitive compensation and incentives based on performance and skillsets. Unlike other industries, cannabis Budtenders are scientists and artists, connoisseurs and sommeliers, making them professionals within a high-skilled position. This commands appropriate compensation.
Truly competitive compensation today, considering inflation, interest rates, and legislation, should hover around $21 for a new Budtender, $23.50-$25.50 for a Junior or Senior Budtender, and around $27.70-$29.50 for Certified Professional Budtenders.
The intellectual, sociocultural, economic and educational principles inherent in the profession demands a premium. Budtenders have to encompass all of these to be great.
– Providing ongoing training and education on cannabis products, strains, effects, dosage, consumption methods, etc.
– Creating a positive and supportive work environment that fosters teamwork, collaboration, and feedback
– Recognizing and rewarding good budtenders for their achievements and contributions
– Providing opportunities for careeradvancement and professional development
A good budtender and/or BA can make a difference in the success of a dispensary. By valuing their skills and knowledge, dispensaries can improve their customer service, sales performance, compliance standards, and brand image. A good budtender is an asset to any dispensary that wants to thrive in the competitive cannabis industry.
The Classes
There are four basic classes of Budtender:
Rookie-Sophomore (0-1 Years)
Green Budtenders are potential Budtenders who generally have little to no experience, but are in some way familiar with the industry from the inside. These Novice Budtenders require more attention than other classes and can be burdensome on revenue, customer retention, and work environment.
Junior Budtender (2 -3 Years)
Junior Budtenders have hands-on expertise working in a dispensary for between two and three years. They can handle most tasks on their own, but may require occasional assistance from a senior Budtender or Management. Generally, Junior Budtenders can balance several things at once and do it effectively. These folks are good at Budsmanship and can display organized choreography.
Senior Budtenders (4-5 Years)
Senior Budtenders are uncertified, but highly experienced Cannabis Budtenders with at least 4 years budtending experience. They can facilitate any task on their own and have consistently displayed their skillsets as Budtenders. High-level Budtenders specialize in all three categories of evaluation: budsmanship, choreography, and product knowledge.
Pro Budtenders (10+ Years)
There is one final class of BT that are distinguished by professional certification, education, and/or personal ownership and service in the industry.
Professional Budtenders arelegally certified professionals who combine all the elements from all other classes into an elite sommelier of cannabis. These Budtenders are more than Budtenders; they are bona fide experts in their fields.
How Employers View BT Value
BT Health is Dispensary Wealth
Here are some direct quotes from cannabis business owners and entrepreneurs on their perception of value regarding Budtenders. I have categorized them according to the three classes of Budtender: Rookie-Sophomore, Junior, and Senior.
Rookie-Sophomore: These are Budtenders who have less than one year of experience in the cannabis industry. They are usually new to the job and need more training and guidance. They may not have a deep knowledge of cannabis products, strains, effects, and benefits. They may also lack customer service skills and sales techniques, which explains sentiments like these:
Those Darn Unproductive Rookies!
Employers across CA see the value of Rookie-Sophomore Budtenders in a couple of primary ways. Chief among them is through the revenue lens, whereby they’re seen as a net loss on the company the majority of the time.
“Rookie-Sophomore Budtenders are a dime a dozen. They are easy to find and hire, but they also tend to quit or get fired quickly. They need a lot of supervision and feedback, and they often make mistakes that cost us money and reputation. We pay them the minimum wage or slightly above, depending on their performance, extra efforts, and attitude.” [Cannabis Dispensary Owner in Colorado].
Other times, as one gentleman from Northern California, companies see RSBTs as a portal to stability, efficiency, and long-term wealth. Rookie-Sophomore (R/S) BTs are the cannabis industry equivalent of the Greenhorn
“We see Rookie-Sophomore Budtenders as an investment opportunity. We hire them with the intention of training them and developing them into Junior or Senior Budtenders. We look for candidates who have a passion for cannabis, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude. We pay them a competitive hourly rate plus tips and bonuses based on their sales and customer satisfaction.” [Hiring Manager, Northern CA Dispensary, November 2023]
BudtenderJack Does BA Work @ Flavors Santa Cruz on behalf of turn, a powerhouse, Costa Mesa CA-based Vape Co.
Our resolve is unbreakable, our impact undeniable. We are not just Budtenders; we are the architects of a new era. Are you coming?
Budtender Jack, 2024
SOME HAVE A DIFFERENT, MORE POSITIVE TAKE
“Budtenders are the backbone of our business. They are the ones who interact with our customers every day and educate them about our products. They are also the ones who generate repeat business and referrals. We value their hard work and dedication, and we reward them with a generous hourly rate plus commissions and incentives based on their performance and customer feedback” [Small Cannabis Business Owner in Illinois]
Junior: These are Budtenders who have one to two years of experience in the cannabis industry. They have a solid knowledge of cannabis products, strains, effects, and benefits. They have good customer service skills and sales techniques. They can handle most situations and questions without supervision or assistance. When it comes to Junior Budtenders, the appreciation is unanimously expressed.
Junior Budtenders are in some ways more appreciated than even Senior BTs. Why? Based on a half-decade of empirical evidence, interviews, polls, and sampling, across CA from 2018-2023, we theorize that this is due to the fact that Junior BTs have proven that they can.
1. Provide ‘proof-of-concept’ of their heart, ambition, and raw talent. They have shown their natural professional inclinations, but are still early on enough to be moulded and shaped into a tailored expert for the businesses specific needs.
2. Demonstrate their pliability, personal strength & style, Budsmanship, and choreographic prowess in cannaservice. They have the capacity to liaise between Rookies and Seniors but can still take direction well. They are the cannabis industry equivalent of the Deckhand.
“Junior Budtenders are the ideal employees for our dispensary. They have enough experience and expertise to provide quality service and advice to our customers. They are also reliable and trustworthy, and they rarely cause any problems or complaints. We pay them a higher hourly rate than Rookie-Sophomore Budtenders, plus tips and bonuses based on their sales, ethic, and customer satisfaction.” [Cannabis Dispensary Owner in Oregon]
“We appreciate Junior Budtenders for their professionalism and competence. They know how to handle different types of customers and situations, and they can upsell and cross-sell our products effectively. They are also loyal and committed to our company’s vision and mission. We pay them a fair hourly rate plus commissions and incentives based on their performance and customer feedback.” [Cannabis Retail Manager in Michigan]
“Junior Budtenders are the future leaders of our business. They have proven themselves to be knowledgeable, skilled, and confident in their role as cannabis consultants. They are also innovative and creative, and they always look for ways to improve our products and services. We pay them a premium hourly rate plus commissions and incentives based on their performance and customer feedback.” [Owner, Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Massachusetts]
The Senior BTs & BAs — Playin’ with the Big Boys Now
Senior: These are Budtenders who have more than two years of experience in the cannabis industry. They have an extensive knowledge of cannabis products, strains, effects, and benefits. They have excellent customer service skills and sales techniques. They can handle any situation and question with ease and professionalism. They are also mentors and trainers for other Budtenders. Some quotes from cannabis business owners about this class of Budtenders are:
“Senior Budtenders are the stars of our dispensary. They have a loyal customer basethat trusts their recommendations and advice. They also have a strong influence on other Budtenders, who look up to them for guidance and support. We pay them the highest hourly rate among all Budtenders, plus tips and bonuses based on their skillset, knowledge, facilitative capacities, and most critically, customer satisfaction.” [Cannabis Dispensary Owner in New York, 2024]
“We value Senior Budtenders for their expertise and experience. They have a deep understanding of cannabis products, strains, effects, and benefits, as well as the latest trends and developments in the industry. They also have exceptional customer service skills and sales techniques that result in high customer retention and referrals. We pay them a competitive hourly rate plus commissions and incentives based on their performance and customer feedback.” [Cannabis Retail Manager in Washington]
“Senior Budtenders are the assets of our business. They have a wealth of knowledge, skill, and confidence that sets them apart from other Budtenders. They also have a passion for cannabis that inspires other Budtenders as well as customers. We pay them a lucrative hourly rate plus commissions and incentives based on their performance and customer feedback.” [Cannabis Entrepreneur in California]
Chronicler Cannabis Historians 
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