Once upon a time, you couldn't legally stroll into a store, seek personal assistance from a budtender for your cannabis needs, and go about your day hassle-free (assuming you remember cash). As I sit at a traffic light with three dispensaries in view, I contemplate how this shift has impacted the individuals behind the counter. Budtenders are the hands-on aficionados of the newly legal industry who have gotten to know the consumers and what they are looking for in their greens. Alex from Nomad Canna in Bozeman, Montana, shares insights from his experience in the industry, offering advice to new budtenders, discussing the future of cannabis, and more.
Q: What do you think are common misconceptions about cannabis that need debunking?
Alex: People often chase potency, thinking it's all that matters. It's more about understanding your terpenes and cannabinoids, which can affect the high a lot more. Understanding the terpenes will help people be more informed consumers and find the bud that really suits their needs.
Q: Can you describe a satisfying moment where you helped a customer understand or have a better experience with cannabis?
Alex: When elderly customers come in or those buying for parents or grandparents, helping them find something like an edible or a one-to-one (1 part CBD to 1 part THC) that's not too intense is satisfying. It's great when they return with positive reviews. It's particularly rewarding when I know I've guided someone towards something that genuinely supports their needs.
It's always nice when people are excited about a particular product or strain. Hearing "this is the only thing that helps me with..." or "this strain is the only one that helps me with..." always reinforces that yeah, this is good stuff.
Q: How has your role in the industry evolved since you first started?
Alex: I started off helping in the grow and budtending at our single store in Belgrade before recreational use. Having firsthand experience with an array of beautiful buds has facilitated my understanding that, ultimately, there is no notion of poor-quality cannabis. Even variants with potency around 19%, for instance, still involve substantial time and care in their cultivation.
If you're seeing it, then something significant had to happen. Some magic was there.
I also did graphic design for strain labels. Now, I package, budtend, and troubleshoot IT issues mostly involved with the printer (laughs while glancing at the packaging manager, Maddie).
Q: What advice would you give to budtenders just starting out?
Alex: If you're pounding the pavement looking for a budtender job, get your badge before you even walk through the door. People always appreciate a friendly face. Nobody's ever coming into a dispensary super disgruntled or unhappy, so try to kind of match their energy or bring their energy up a little bit. If you're getting new people in—people who've never tried it before—tell them the kind of things that you would have wanted to hear your first time.
Learn about the products, understand how they work, and build relationships with your customers. Document your own experiences with the products and provide anecdotal evidence; it helps customers in their choices.
If you're getting new people in
—people who've never tried it before—
tell them the kind of things that you would have wanted to hear your first time.
Q: What vision do you hold for the future of cannabis?
Alex: If cannabis gets rescheduled, the possibility of interstate commerce could disrupt local sellers. Small businesses might not compete with "Weed Walmarts." I'm rooting for local-based cannabis businesses in Montana to flourish.
I hope that over time, the industry settles down, pricing relaxes, and it becomes more navigable for users and sellers. Regardless, it should be a win-win for the consumer, providing them access to affordable, quality cannabis.
Maybe if we, Montana, had some time to really get its shit together (before a rescheduling)...
The sincerity in Alex's responses illustrates the committed passion behind this rapidly growing industry. Dedicated individuals like Alex are creatively pushing Montana's cannabis industry forward, no longer misunderstood or misrepresented. It's walking a path towards educating consumers while contributing to economic and societal growth.
As we reflect on potential regulatory changes, future market scenarios, or even which dispensary of the three within sight to go to, it's imperative to support local cannabis businesses. In forging a harmonious alliance beneficial for both consumers and sellers, the industry and the plant are bound to win.
*Disclaimer: The responses shown by Alex in this article are not verbatim quotes. They have been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity to encapsulate his insights to the best of our ability. The essence of his thoughts and ideas has been maintained throughout the process.
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