We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Canada

How to get hired as a budtender in Canada

Kate RobertsonPublished on October 4, 2022
Budtenders are the frontline workers of cannabis retail—how are they trained?

As of October 2022, data firm Cannabis Benchmarks indicates that licensed adult-use cannabis stores across Canada keep coming, with over 3,290 stores coast-to-coast.

That’s a lot of opportunity for job seekers who want to repurpose their existing retail experience for a new industry, and those curious about entry-level roles in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

But before bailing on your current job, know that most budtender jobs require a basic knowledge of cannabis, and all require a certification that shows you understand cannabis basics and the laws regulating it.

Several supplementary courses have been designed to educate on cannabis. Here’s what to expect from them.

Get your province or territory certification

CannSell standard certification covers cannabis basics, the federal and provincial guidelines, common compliance issues, and the potential risks and harms associated with cannabis use. They also offer an expert-level course in cannabis history, genetics, growing, packaging, and how cannabinoids work in the human body.

The number of students who have taken Ontario’s required course CannSell has tripled in the last year to more than 26,000, according to co-CEOs Jonathan Carley and Andy Deonarine. 

Since they acquired the course from Lift & Co. about two years ago, they said they’ve been smoothing out bugs and payment processes on the online delivery platform and updating evolving regulations.

“We aim to provide the best user experience for the education that we’re providing, and having it be up-to-date, and bridge the gap between brands and budtenders,” said Deonarine in a phone interview.

Modern notebook, laptop and cannabis plant in flower pot isolated on bright yellow background.
Budtenders are trained on cannabis products, regulations, and responsible consumption. (Adobe Stock)

“At the end of the day, there are many other companies entering the space, or have been around for a little bit, but there’s only one that is a sole mandated training program of the AGCO.”

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries

PEI and Nova Scotia also use CanSell, but otherwise, each province has its own requirements. In Alberta, the training program for budtenders is called SellSafe, and Saskatchewan uses the CannaSell SK Responsible Cannabis Sales Training program. In BC, Responsible Service BC hosts Selling It Right.

Manitoba’s Liquor, Gaming, & Cannabis Authority requires a Smart Choices Cannabis Retail Certification prior to starting work. Quebec has the Société Québécoise du Cannabis training program. The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation takes care of training through SkillsPass.

For those looking for budtender gigs up north, the North West Territories covers employee training internally. The Yukon offers a Be A Responsible Server- Cannabis (BARS-C) program and Nunavut uses its own Cannabis Retail Employee Training Program.

Educational add-ons will set you apart

Beyond provincial requirements, budtenders can pursue additional education for more niche, hands-on knowledge. Tabitha Fritz launched her online course, LevelUp, after developing in-store budtender training programs and seeing an opportunity to help staff better understand cannabis.

“You can present facts to someone and say, here are all the facts about cannabis, cannabinoids, terpenes, your endocannabinoid system and concentrates,” she explained.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s going to digest that and internalize that. [This course] takes the learner on a journey through cannabis, how it works with our bodies, and why it is so unique to each consumer.” 

Fritz delivering LevelUp to some budtenders in Goderich, Ontario. (Fritz)

There are many non-mandatory online courses, like educational modules by CannaReps, Cannabis Training Canada, the Cannabis Institute of Canada, and others, available online. Many universities and colleges across Canada also offer degrees, courses, and certifications in all aspects of the cannabis industry, from science to engineering to hospitality.

But these courses have a price, and you may find that they aren’t worth it pre-employment. Consider looking into a program once you’re employed, and seek out employees who can attest that they took their skills to the next level.

Once hired, you can also ask your employer to coordinate and invest in additional education, or investigate group rates.

Don’t forget customer service and soft skills

Krista Raymer, the co-founder of retail consultants Vetrina Group, said budtender training and education will continue to evolve in the coming years. While cannabis concepts and products are one set of skills, she said soft skills should emphasize budtender training.

“One of the biggest trends that I would like to see continue to develop is that we become less about transactions and more about the opportunity to sell and share product information that is relevant to the customer.”

– Krista Raymer, co-founder of Vetrina Group

Rather than focusing on making a big sale, Raymer says conversations should be broader and deeper, with more focus on the general needs a shopper hopes to address.

“Our budtenders can elevate that experience,” she said. “There is a big gap in the industry in that space right now, and it’s because it’s really hard to execute and takes a lot of time, a lot of training. And since we’ve seen a really high turnover rate with budtenders, it’s hard to make that kind of investment.”

Talk to your local budtenders

Some of the most valuable budtender education comes from hands-on product workshops with brand reps and trying products for themselves, according to Alex Pollard, one of the founders of union organizers United Weed Workers.

Some stores offer employees product discounts, but it can be expensive for budtenders, who, according to Payscale, make $16.03/hour on average.

“Each store and brand tends to do things their own way, but stores that encourage the brand reps and territory managers to interact with budtenders and foster those relationships is really something special,” shares Pollard.

Before signing up for a course, talk to existing budtenders to find out what they wish they had known before starting out in the industry and whether or not a course was worth the money.

And remember, employers should invest in their workforce—always ask your employer to coordinate training on your behalf.

Celebrate budtenders

Looking for hot new cannabis products? Ask a budtender! image
Image Not Found
Looking for hot new cannabis products? Ask a budtender!
Kieran Delamont
October 14, 2021
How to get hired as a budtender image
Image Not Found
How to get hired as a budtender
Grace Griffin
October 18, 2021
We asked budtenders: What’s the best cannabis in Canada? image
Image Not Found
We asked budtenders: What’s the best cannabis in Canada?
Joe Smith-Engelhardt
March 24, 2022
Canadian budtenders are scared for their safety at work image
Image Not Found
Canadian budtenders are scared for their safety at work
Lisa Felepchuk
February 17, 2022

With files from Ashley Keenan.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
adult-use cannabisbudtendersCanadadispensaries
Kate Robertson
Kate Robertson
Kate Robertson writes about cannabis, culture and more. She is based in Toronto.
View Kate Robertson's articles

The latest in Canada

  • Vancouver weed visitor’s guide 2024 image
    Vancouver weed visitor’s guide 2024
    Amelia Williams
  • A history of cannabis prohibition in Canada image
    A history of cannabis prohibition in Canada
    Emma Spears
  • Are psychedelics legal in Canada? image
    Are psychedelics legal in Canada?
    Colleen Fisher Tully
  • D8, Eh? What Canadians need to know about Delta-8 cannabis products image
    D8, Eh? What Canadians need to know about Delta-8 cannabis products
    Adam Greenblatt
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.