Breaking into the cannabis industry can feel intimidating if you've never worked in a dispensary — but don’t worry, experience isn’t everything.

In Colorado, more and more dispensaries are looking for candidates who are trained, certified, and ready to learn — even if it’s their first cannabis job. If you’re wondering how to get hired without prior experience, this guide will show you how to stand out from the crowd — especially by using your DABS Training certification as your secret weapon.

Can You Work at a Dispensary with No Experience?

Yes! Many entry-level cannabis jobs — especially budtender positions — are open to people with:

• Retail or customer service experience

• A positive, professional attitude

• A valid MED Badge

• A Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) certificate (like the one offered by DABS Training)
  
  

If you show up with a strong understanding of cannabis regulations and a great attitude, you’re already ahead of most applicants.

1. Show You Know the Rules — Even if You Haven’t Worked in Cannabis Yet

Dispensaries are tightly regulated by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). Hiring someone who doesn’t know the laws can cost them their license.

💡 That’s where your DABS Training RVT certification comes in.

Mention it in your interview:

“I’ve already completed Responsible Vendor Training through DABS Training. I understand ID checks, THC limits, METRC tracking, and how to spot signs of overconsumption.”

This tells the manager:

• You’re serious

• You’ve done your homework

• You won’t be a compliance risk
  
  

2. Translate Your Past Experience

Even if you haven’t worked in a dispensary, you’ve likely gained relevant skills from other jobs. Be ready to connect the dots:

If You’ve Worked In...

Highlight This Skill:

• Retail / Customer Service

• Helping customers choose the right product

• Hospitality / Restaurants

• Handling busy environments, upselling

• Security / Door Staff

• ID checks and safety awareness

• Healthcare or Wellness

• Empathy, communication, dosage care

Interview Tip: Say something like:

“At my last job, I learned how to guide customers through product choices and explain features — I’m excited to bring that to cannabis.”

3. Know the Common Interview Questions

Dispensary hiring managers want to know you can handle the pressure, the compliance, and the customer conversations.

Prepare for questions like:

• “How would you handle a customer who appears too high?”

• “What would you say to someone new to cannabis?”

• “What does THC vs. CBD mean?”

• “How do you verify a customer’s ID?”
  
  

If you’ve taken DABS Training, you already know the answers. Speak confidently and reference your certification:

“That was actually covered in my DABS Training. We learned how to recognize overconsumption and what to do when a guest needs help.”

4. Use Your Certification as a Competitive Edge

1. 📄 Put DABS Training on your resume

2. 🗣️ Mention it early in your interview

3. 📧 Include it in your cover letter or application email:

“I’ve already completed Colorado’s Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) through DABS Training, which covers all MED compliance requirements.”

Why this matters:
It tells employers you’re trained, compliant, and ready to work today — not after weeks of onboarding.

Final Tip: Be Confident, Not Cocky

You’re new — and that’s okay. Cannabis dispensaries love hiring teachable, friendly people. What they don’t want is someone who thinks they know it all.

So be honest, be hungry to learn, and lean on your training. DABS Training gives you the foundation — your job is to show up with the right energy.

🚀 Ready to Start?

👉 Get RVT Certified Today with DABS Training
Take the course dispensary managers trust — and take the first step toward your new career in cannabis.