10 Things Only Budtenders Would Understand

Working in the Canadian cannabis industry is equal parts hilarious, frustrating, and deeply underappreciated. One minute you’re explaining the difference between indica and sativa for the thousandth time, the next you’re getting grilled about why a $20 eighth doesn’t smoke like top-shelf Cali gas.

It’s a job that requires the patience of a saint, the product knowledge of a sommelier, and the people skills of a bartender; except the bar closes at 11 p.m. sharp, whether the customer likes it or not.

For those of us who’ve been behind the counter in an Ontario dispensary, we know the unspoken truths, the eye rolls, and the little inside jokes that keep us sane. Customers think it’s all rolling joints and vibing to lo-fi beats, but the reality is… way messier (and funnier).

So, whether you’re a budtender who’s lived it or a customer curious about what goes on behind the counter, here are ten things only budtenders truly get. And yes, customers, this one’s for you too.

Canadian Budtenders vs. American Budtenders: Same Job, Different Circus

If you think being a budtender is universal, think again. Canadian budtenders and their American counterparts are living two very different realities.

In Canada:

Budtenders are essentially retail clerks navigating government red tape. Every product has to be pre-packaged, THC percentages are printed like it’s gospel, and customers can’t even smell the flower before buying.

It’s less “weed culture” and more “Apple Store with bongs.” You’re also dealing with a single distributor, the government, so if something’s out of stock, tough luck. No, I can’t “check in the back.”

In the U.S.:

Budtenders in legal states often have a lot more freedom (and, honestly, fun). Customers can usually see and smell the product before buying, weigh it out fresh, and shop from multiple competing suppliers.

American dispensaries lean hard into the experience, think neon lights, velvet ropes, free samples, and budtenders doubling as hype-men for their favorite strains. But with that freedom comes the wild west of pricing, inconsistent rules state-to-state, and the looming risk of federal crackdowns.

1. Yes, You Need ID Every. Single. Time.

Doesn’t matter if we trauma-bonded last night over breakups and bad edibles, you still need to show your ID tomorrow. That’s the law, and we’re not risking our license for your convenience.

2. Don’t Come In at 10:59 PM

We love your hustle, but if you roll in with one minute to close, don’t be mad when we say you won’t make it. The system literally locks us out at 11 PM. Yell at the government, not us.

3. Stop Asking for “Cheap Weed That’s Fire”

Pick a struggle. If you want top-shelf quality, you gotta pay top-shelf prices. Budtenders aren’t magicians, we can’t turn shake into AAAA.

4. THC% ≠ Quality

The highest THC doesn’t mean it’s the “best.” Flavor, terps, and overall experience matter way more than just numbers on a jar. Stop treating cannabis like a protein powder label.

5. No, You Can’t Use Your Friend’s Loyalty Account

It’s 2025. Sign up for your own damn points. Your buddy isn’t trying to split his rewards with you anyway.

6. We’re Not Competing with Your Plug

We get it, your “guy” has $50 ounces. Cool. But comparing licensed products to a dude selling out of his basement is like comparing McDonald’s to a backyard BBQ. Different worlds.

7. Edible Panic Is Real

Every budtender has had to walk someone through the edible meltdown: “I only ate one gummy but I feel weird.” Yeah, that’s how edibles work. Sit down, drink some water, and ride it out.

8. Grandmas Are Our Favorite Customers

Watching a 70-year-old confidently buy a vape cart or ask about shatter? Iconic. Nana leaves higher than you and still makes it to church on time.

9. Loyalty to the Plant, Not Just the Paycheck

We’re not here just to “sell weed.” Most budtenders love cannabis culture, but the constant explaining (indica/sativa myths, terps, live resin) will test your patience daily.

10. The Secret Budtender Bond

There’s a quiet solidarity in this industry. Only other budtenders truly understand the mix of chaos, joy, and headaches that come with this job. Respect your local cannabis workers, they’re the real MVPs keeping the culture alive in Canada.

Final Puff

Being a budtender is way more than scanning barcodes and handing over pre-rolls. It’s customer service, therapy, comedy, and government babysitting all rolled into one shift. Whether you’re hustling in Ontario or hyping strains in Cali, the grind is real and massively underappreciated.

So next time you walk into a dispensary, remember: your budtender isn’t just a cashier. They’re the unsung hero of your sesh, the keeper of the product knowledge, and the person making sure you don’t leave with a bag of mids when you wanted top shelf. Show them some love, maybe a little patience, and your ID. Every single time.