17 Budtender Interview Questions and Answers

Budtenders are the retail workers who serve customers in dispensaries that sell cannabis products. They are responsible for helping customers select the products that best meet their needs, answering questions about the products, and providing information about the effects of different strains of cannabis.

If you’re looking for a job in this industry, it’s important to be prepared for the interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some questions and answers that you can use to help you get ready for your interview.

Are you comfortable talking to people about cannabis?

This question is a good way to assess your communication skills and how comfortable you are with discussing cannabis. Interviewers want to know that you can talk about the product in an informative, friendly and professional manner. Your answer should show that you have experience talking to customers about cannabis products and that you enjoy doing so.

Example: “I love talking to people about cannabis because I find it fascinating. I’ve been passionate about this plant for years, and I’m always learning new things. When I worked at my last job, I would often help customers who were looking for information on different strains or products. I found that many of them had questions about what they could do with cannabis, such as cooking with it or using it topically. I was happy to share my knowledge and provide advice.”

What are your favorite strains and why?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about cannabis. Interviewers want to know that you’re knowledgeable and excited about the product you’ll be selling. When answering this question, try to include information about why you like each strain. This shows your knowledge of the plant and helps you connect with the interviewer on a personal level.

Example: “I love Blue Dream because it’s one of my favorite sativas. It has a sweet flavor and energizing effects that help me get through my day. I also really enjoy Girl Scout Cookies because it’s a hybrid that gives me both an energetic high and a relaxed feeling. The combination makes it perfect for unwinding after work.”

How do you think the cannabis industry will change in the next five years?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the industry and how you might fit into it. Use this opportunity to show that you are passionate about the cannabis industry and want to be a part of its growth.

Example: “I think we will see more states legalizing marijuana in the next five years, which will lead to more research on the plant’s medicinal benefits. I also believe there will be more opportunities for budtenders as the industry grows. As more people enter the industry, they’ll need someone who is knowledgeable about cannabis to help them find what works best for their needs.”

What is your favorite method of consumption?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s experience with cannabis. It can also help you determine if they have any preferences that might affect their work in your dispensary. If you’re looking for someone who will be able to provide excellent customer service, it’s important to find someone who enjoys smoking or vaping as much as eating edibles and drinking tinctures.

Example: “I prefer smoking because I enjoy the ritual of rolling my own joints. I think it’s fun to try new strains by mixing them into different kinds of papers and finding the right combination of filters and tips. I’ve even started making my own roaches out of empty soda cans.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a customer find the right product.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you can help their customers find the right products and make sure they’re happy with their purchases. Use examples from previous jobs where you helped a customer find something that worked for them or helped them understand what product would be best for them.

Example: “At my last job, I had a regular customer who came in every day after work. She was looking for a new strain of flower because her usual one wasn’t helping her anxiety anymore. We talked about what she liked about her old flower and what effects she wanted from her new one. After trying out several different strains, we found one that helped her feel calm without making her too tired at work.”

If a customer has a negative experience with a particular product, how would you handle it?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience necessary to handle customer complaints. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped a customer with a complaint about a product.

Example: “I once had a customer who purchased a cannabis-infused chocolate bar that made them feel nauseous. I asked if they ate all of the candy before feeling sick, and they said they did. After asking more questions, we discovered that the person was allergic to nuts, but didn’t know the candy contained some. I apologized for the mistake and offered them a different edible or refund.”

What would you do if you noticed another budtender making a mistake while helping a customer?

Employers want to know that you can work well with others and help them learn from their mistakes. Showcase your communication skills by describing a time when you helped someone else improve their customer service skills.

Example: “When I was working as a barista, I noticed one of my coworkers had trouble remembering the names of our customers’ favorite drinks. Instead of embarrassing her in front of everyone, I pulled her aside after our shift ended and offered some tips on how she could remember the orders better. She thanked me for the advice and used it to memorize all of our regulars’ orders.”

How well do you know the effects of different strains?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the effects of different strains. Employers ask this question because they want to make sure you can help their customers find the right strain for them. In your answer, try to list as many effects as possible and explain how each one makes you feel.

Example: “I know that there are over 100 different types of cannabinoids in cannabis. Each strain has its own unique combination of these cannabinoids, which means every strain will have a slightly different effect on the user. For example, I once worked with a customer who was looking for a strain that would help her sleep at night. After asking her about what she liked in other strains, we decided that an indica-dominant hybrid would be best for her.”

Do you have any experience working with cannabis edibles?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with a specific type of cannabis product. If you have worked with edibles in the past, share what types of products you helped customers find and how you assisted them. If you haven’t worked with edibles before, you can explain why and talk about other experiences working with cannabis products.

Example: “I’ve never worked specifically with edibles, but I do have experience helping customers find the right products for their needs. In my last job, I was responsible for recommending different strains to customers based on their preferences. For example, if they were looking for something that would help them relax at night, I would recommend a strain with lower levels of THC.”

When recommending products to customers, how do you factor in the customer’s previous purchases?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you use customer preferences to make recommendations. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you consider a variety of factors when making suggestions and are able to adapt to different situations.

Example: “I always try to recommend products based on what I know about the customer’s preferences, so if they have purchased similar strains in the past, I will take that into account. If they haven’t bought anything like it before, I may ask them more questions about their preferences or refer them to another budtender who has worked with them before.”

We want to make sure our customers have a positive experience when shopping with us. Describe your strategy for keeping customers engaged.

This question can help interviewers understand how you plan to interact with customers and ensure they have a positive experience. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, interpersonal abilities and communication skills.

Example: “I believe that the best way to keep customers engaged is by listening to them. I always make sure to ask questions about what they’re looking for so I can recommend products based on their preferences. Another strategy I use is making recommendations when customers are browsing our selection. This helps me get to know my customers better and learn more about their preferences.”

Describe your strategy for handling an impatient or angry customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can handle difficult customers with tact and grace. In your answer, demonstrate how you would use active listening techniques to calm the customer down and diffuse their anger or frustration.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like the flavor of one of our products. I listened to them as they explained why they were so angry about it, and then I asked if there was anything else I could help them with. They said no, but I offered to make them something new or give them a discount on another product. They accepted the offer, and we ended up selling two more items to them.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of cannabis strains and products. I’ve been working in the industry for five years now, so I know what customers are looking for when they come into my dispensary. In addition, I am very friendly and outgoing, which helps me build relationships with customers. These skills make me an excellent budtender.”

Which cannabis brands do you like working with the most?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with different brands of cannabis. It can also show them which brands you prefer to work with and why. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a brand that is popular in the area where you’re interviewing.

Example: “I have worked with many different brands of cannabis throughout my career as a budtender, but I find myself coming back to one particular brand more than others. The brand I keep returning to is Green Leaf Cannabis because they produce high-quality flower at an affordable price. Their products are always consistent, and their customer service team is very responsive when I need assistance.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a budtender to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this position. You can answer by identifying a skill from the job description and explaining how you use it in your work.

Example: “I think communication skills are essential for budtenders because they help us connect with customers and make them feel comfortable. I’ve always been good at communicating, both verbally and nonverbally, which has helped me build rapport with my customers and encourage them to try new products.”

How often do you smoke cannabis?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re not a heavy user. They want someone who can work while high, but they also don’t want their budtenders to be too impaired to do their jobs. If you are a regular smoker, explain that you only smoke on the weekends or after work.

Example: “I’m a casual smoker. I’ll have a joint with friends once or twice a week, usually on the weekend. I’ve been smoking for years and know my limits. I am comfortable working while high, although I prefer to wait until after work to smoke.”

There is a new product on the market that you’ve never tried before. How would you decide if it’s right for our customers?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the products you’re selling and how they can be beneficial for customers. It also shows that you are willing to try new things, which is important in this industry because there are always new products coming out.

Example: “I would first look at the ingredients list to see if it contains any allergens or other substances I know our customers don’t like. Then I would read reviews from other budtenders who have tried it to get their opinion on whether it’s worth trying. Finally, I would ask my manager what she thinks about the product so I could get her professional opinion as well.”