Responsible Cannabis Sales: A Narrative Review Considering Interventions for Dispensary Staff to Address Cannabis Harms

Abstract

An industry of cannabis sales outlets (often called dispensaries) has proliferated in response to state-sanctioned legalization. This paper focuses on the interaction of dispensary sales staff (budtenders) and consumers, which likely has a substantial impact on the consumer experience. To date, there has been little consideration on this aspect of dispensary sales environment, in which staff provide guidance regarding cannabis products. Training programs for alcohol sales are frequently mandated; in contrast, budtender trainings are not currently required or otherwise regulated by state agencies, and therefore, do not address consumer or community safety. This paper explores responsible cannabis sales training and practice. Differences between cannabis and alcohol sales environments, including product diversity, consumer education and motivations, and market maturity are described. Dispensary staff training, along with management policies may improve the quality of product education, and therefore, improve the safety to consumers and communities.