Budtenders Ain’t Bartenders: Why Training Matters
Let’s get one thing straight:
Just because you can roll a blunt, don’t mean you should be behind the counter.
Being a budtender ain’t about having “smoker vibes.” It’s about knowing the product, the people, and the power of cannabis.
We see it every day. Customers walk in looking for healing, relaxation, focus, sleep—or just a consistent high—and too many times they leave with the wrong product because somebody behind the counter wasn't trained to listen, ask the right questions, or read a label.
That’s not just bad customer service. That’s harmful.
🌱 What is a Budtender Actually?
A budtender is part educator, part customer service expert, and part wellness guide. They’re often the first and only connection a person has to cannabis education. That’s power—and responsibility.
A budtender should be able to:
Break down cannabinoid profiles and terpenes
Explain dosage and onset times for various methods (edibles, tinctures, flower, etc.)
Ask about a customer’s tolerance, needs, and past experiences
Recommend products based on effect, not just hype
Understand compliance (age verification, purchase limits, packaging laws)
Handle money, POS systems, and inventory correctly
Know the difference between legacy wisdom and modern science, and respect both
🚩 What Happens When They’re Not Trained?
You get…
People overdosing on edibles because “someone told me to take the whole thing”
Elders with pain being sold high-THC flower when they need CBD or a balm
New smokers walking out with 30% THC strains they can’t handle
Wasted product. Wasted money. Wasted trust.
And worse—you risk the license. One bad compliance call? That can shut the whole dispensary down.
🧠 Frankie’s Rule: Training is a Lifestyle
At Frankie’s, we invest in ongoing staff training, not just onboarding. Why?
Because cannabis evolves.
Because our customers trust us.
Because the legacy deserves better.
We cover:
Weekly education circles: new products, terpene deep-dives, and compliance refreshers
Shadow shifts with senior budtenders
Real-time customer scenario breakdowns
Cultural competency training (because our people matter, and so do their experiences)
✊🏽 Respect the Plant. Respect the People.
The difference between a budtender and a bartender is this:
A bartender makes your night.
A budtender can change your life.
This plant is medicine.
It deserves care. It deserves knowledge.
It deserves staff that show up with more than vibes.
Train your team like it matters—because it does.
Published & Written by Lyriq Manson | IG: @shespeaksezy