Cannabis classes begin soon! Grow your cannabis knowledge and expertise December 2nd.

Cannabis Retail Specialist Certificate

Get equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful, in-demand cannabis retail professional with dispensary agent training.

Taught exclusively by leading industry experts and operators, this 9-week online certificate program gives you a foundational understanding of the cannabis supply chain, as well as the skills needed to excel in the cannabis retail environment, including product knowledge and customer engagement. 

Delivered through video lectures, readings, and e-learning modules, this interactive online dispensary training program will ensure you have the knowledge and credibility needed to build your career in cannabis retail, work in a dispensary, or even start your own dispensary.

Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive an official Cannabis Retail Specialist Certificate backed by the GF Institute, the industry-standard in cannabis credentials. Plus, you’ll gain access to the GF Institute Employer Network, a platform of growing cannabis companies eager to hire graduates with this type of education and qualification.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts in the cannabis industry and take your career to the next level. Enroll today and join the ranks of other successful cannabis retail professionals!

Frequent Asked Questions

The programs are self-paced and you can register and begin the courses at any time. Once you complete your registration you’ll receive an email with course access.

Students should expect to dedicate around six hours per week to complete coursework in this program.

These programs are currently not eligible for federal aid, however we do offer a payment plan.

Student Testimonial Spotlight

Dispensary Associate helping a customer
Next Start Date
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3 Units

9 weeks

100% Online

Learn at your own pace

Full Payment Option

$750

Three Payment Installment Option

$266.66 /month

Save My Seat

$300

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Webinar

Learn More About the Cannabis Programs

Cannabis Creates New Careers and Skill Demands​

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FULL TIME JOBS

In 2022, there were over 417,000 full-time employees in the cannabis industry in the United States.

Source: Vangst Job Report 2023

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JOB GROWTH

For five years in a row the cannabis industry grew by more than 27%, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

Source: Leafly Jobs Report 2022

Webinar

Learn More About the Cannabis Programs​

In this comprehensive webinar, you will learn about the cannabis industry, job opportunities, and how these programs can help you join this fast-growing industry.

Discover A New Career Path in Cannabis Retail

100% Online | No Prerequisites 

Dispensary counter

Expert Cannabis Educators

Learn From Industry Pioneers

Discover the secrets of the booming cannabis industry with engaging video content led by industry pioneers and leading experts. These experts possess extensive knowledge and experience in various aspects of the industry and have played a vital role in shaping this emerging field. With their unique insights and research, you will have an unparalleled educational opportunity to master the latest trends and best practices in the cannabis industry. Learn from the best, hone your skills, and achieve your cannabis career goals.

The Highest Standards for Online Learning

We are committed to providing you with expert education that can be applied in a real-world setting. Our cutting-edge curriculum is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the cannabis industry. Our team of experts is dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of our course is optimized for effective learning and retention. With our carefully crafted curriculum, you can be confident that you are receiving an exceptional educational experience that will prepare you for success in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry.

Author picture

Dr. Reggie Gaudino

Chief Scientific Officer, Front Range Biosciences

Dr. Reggie Gaudino oversees all scientific research and development for Front Range Biosciences, and together the team at Front Range Biosciences applies the research to the development of new and improved Cannabis cultivars.  

Author picture

Martha Montemayor, CNC

Founder, Healthy Choices Unlimited

Martha is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and founder of Healthy Choices Unlimited, whose physicians and staff have helped over 15,000 patients obtain their Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry cards. 

Author picture

Josh Wurzer

President, SC Laboratories Inc.

Josh is the President and Co-Founder of SC Laboratories, an analytical laboratory specializing in quality control for the Cannabis industry. With laboratories in Northern and Southern California as well as Seattle Washington, SC Labs is one of the largest analytical laboratories servicing the Cannabis industry.

Cannabis Retail Specialist Courses

Unit 1: Cannabis Industry Fundamentals

Discover how the cannabis industry actually works, from seed to sale, including the business of cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, and lab testing. This unit will give you a foundational understanding of the cannabis supply chain, so you can speak confidently to others in the industry, and successfully work within many different roles and verticals.

  • New vs. experienced operators
  • State and local compliance considerations
  • The business of lab testing and analytics
  • Distribution in the cannabis supply chain
  • Intro to processing and manufacturing
  • Long term viability of extraction and infused products
  • Evolution of the distribution sector
  • Branding and marketing
  • Expansion and scale opportunities….and more 

Unit 2: Product Knowledge & Customer Service

Dive into a skills based training specifically for cannabis retail, covering the various delivery methods and products used in today’s cannabis marketplace, providing safe and helpful service to consumers, the science of cannabis including cannabinoids, terpenes, and the Endocannabinoid System, the nuances of doing effective sales and marketing in cannabis, and much more. By the end of this training, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful, in-demand cannabis retail professional.

  • How cannabis works in the body
  • Medical conditions cannabis can be used for
  • Delivery methods and how they influence psychoactivity
  • Flower, topicals, tinctures, concentrates and infused products and edibles
  • The major and minor cannabinoids
  • Therapeutic uses of THC and CBD
  • Terpenes and how they interact with cannabinoids
  • Setting customer expectations
  • Titration and dosing
  • Chemical profiles…and more 

Unit 3: Compliance & Operations

Learn all about compliance, which is essential if you want to work in cannabis. You’ll get trained on health and safety best practices for cannabis workers, compliantly receiving and transporting cannabis products, maintaining product safety, the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in cannabis, and much more. The cannabis industry is heavily regulated and most people simply don’t understand the rules, so acquiring this knowledge will truly help you stand out from the pack.

  • Importance of inventory tracking
  • Traceability and recalls
  • Social sustainability
  • Fair labor practices
  • Policies and procedures
  • Record keeping…and more

Discover A New Career Path in Cannabis Retail

Gain advanced job skills and knowledge to excel in a retail role in the cannabis industry.

Dispensary worker at register

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