Cannabis Consultant Training

Cannabis is personal and requires customers to experiment with different product types, cannabinoid profiles, consumption methods, and doses to determine what works best. In this module, consultants are trained on how to explain this experimentation process to their customers, focusing on low doses, understanding that someone may have to go through the experimentation phase multiple times as their relationship with cannabis and their health changes over time.

This module breaks down how Trichome Institute utilizes the terms cannabis, hemp, and marijuana, based on Federal US guidelines and cultural norms.

Identifying and understanding tolerance is the most important thing when working with a new customer. In this module, we guide consultants through determining the tolerance of their customers so that they can make proper product recommendations.

There are over 150 cannabinoids that have been identified throughout the various cannabis varieties. However, only a fraction of them are commonly found in the retail marketplace. This module explains the difference between acid and activated cannabinoids, the various dominant cannabinoids, and the typical effects they provoke.

Terpenes are the primary aroma compounds found in cannabis, and they have been proven to provoke physiological effects. However, the consumption of terpenes is what determines their possible effects. In this module (and edibles module), we discuss the most commonly found terpenes in cannabis, their common effects, and how to describe them to customers.

The entourage effect is a unique term to the cannabis industry and is summarized by the concept that multiple plant compounds together are better than an isolated compound. A “full-spectrum” cannabis product would be superior to an isolated cannabinoid in this scenario. Although this may be the case in specific situations, isolated cannabinoids can benefit many consumers.

In this module, we provide a fundamental understanding of the ECS so that consultants can explain to their customers how and why cannabinoids are scientifically able to affect humans the way they do.

Lab tests determine most of the safety elements of cannabis products. Still, they can be a bit cumbersome, and there is no uniformity in how they are displayed, even within a single state or dispensary. In this section, we guide consultants through the different parts of a certificate of analysis, explain how to read them, and which areas are most important to focus on when describing them to customers.

Flower is the original form of consuming cannabis, and there are thousands of different varieties. This module explains the complexity of cannabis strains, why indica, sativa, and strain names are overly vague and misleading, and how a specific effect of inhaled flower is what customers are seeking.

This fun module breaks down the discrepancies of what a “pound” of cannabis really weighs based on each state or dispensary. How many grams are in your pound? 448 or 453.59?

In this module, extraction expert Murphy Murri explains the different extraction methods utilized to make concentrates, and educates consultants on the truth of how and why solvent recovery processes and lab tests are what provide us with confidence when consuming products made from solvents like butane and propane.

This module explaines the difference between fresh frozen (live resin) and dried and cured flower and the types of concentrate products they produce.

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Distillate, and Isolate are used to describe cannabis products. In this module we explain the lack of regulation of these terms, what they mean to the industry, and how to explain them to customers.

There are many types of concentrate products, and they all vary in their appearance, texture, cannabinoid and terpene ratios, aroma, potency, and more. This module breaks down the two most common categories of concentrates, how they are created, and the best consumption methods.

Dabbing is a consumption process that cannabis consumers generally utilize with higher tolerances to THC. In this module, we demonstrate how to properly dab, explain safety and tolerance concerns, and provide consultants who do not dab, with a better understanding of the process to explain it to their customers.

In 2019 there was a lot of scary news about vaping, but much of that information didn’t apply to legal and lab-tested vape pen products. This module discusses the different types of vape pen hardware, the ratios of cannabinoids and terpenes, and what diluents are used in the concentrated mixtures.

Edibles are one of the fastest-growing forms of cannabis utilized across the legal landscape. Edibles come in many forms, but some products like pills and capsules aren’t considered edibles by many when they are. In this module, we define what an edible is, how the metabolism of the cannabinoids alters and enhance their effects, how to make edible dosing recommendations, and why tolerance to inhaling cannabis is irrelevant to edibles.

Sublingual cannabis products affect consumers faster due to their route of delivery. However, there is no such thing as a 100% sublingual product, so many customers can still have an “edible high.” This module explains how sublingual products work and what’s required to function correctly.

The most significant difference between a transdermal and a topical cannabis product is one can allow cannabinoids into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, customers have used transdermal cannabis products, never felt high, but still failed a drug test. This module explains the differences between these two product types, how they affect people, and things to look out for in ingredients that may make a topical become a transdermal.

The research on human cannabis suppositories contradicts much of the anecdotal experiences. However, suppositories are becoming more and more popular. In this module, we explain the research on cannabis suppositories, their routes of administration, and some of the benefits customers have experienced from them.

Most customers experience excellent benefits from consuming cannabis, but some have adverse side effects. Since cannabis is so individual, consultants need to understand that what may mitigate one person’s anxiety may cause another to be paranoid and have a panic attack. This module discusses the positive and negative effects that people have experienced from cannabis (mainly THC), how to minimize these possible adverse effects, and what to do if someone has a bad experience. Remember, “cannabis” is vague!

It’s only a matter of time before a consultant or one of their customers experiences too much THC. In this module, we explain what overconsumption of cannabis is, the most common scenarios, how to guide people through this negative experience, and when it’s appropriate to seek medical attention.

Throughout the entire course, the information in each module is presented in a way to educate the student properly, so they are confident enough to inform their customers. Ultimately, our goal is to create knowledgeable teachers so their customers are being provided the most accurate and honest information possible. For this to be achieved, consultants must understand technical information about cannabis. They also must explain it in a digestible way while purposefully utilizing qualifying, sales, and customer service tactics. Dispensaries have a business to run. The best way for them to retain customers and ensure success is to learn how to sell customers the products they need in a way that isn’t pushy, abrupt, or manipulative. In these two modules specifically, but spread out in the other course modules, we teach consultants basic sales techniques that will help customers and the dispensary equally.