Online training for marijuana store employees improved ID checking and ability to spot intoxicated customers
A randomized trial of online responsible vendor training for recreational marijuana stores across three states found high acceptability (91% would recommend) and significant improvements in ID checking skills and confidence to identify intoxicated customers.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 420 trained employees, ID checking ability improved significantly (pre: 3.91 to post: 4.58, p<.001), as did confidence to use inventory tracking (pre: 2.52 to post: 2.85, p<.001) and to spot intoxicated customers (pre: 2.79 to post: 2.94, p<.001). 78.4% found the training user-friendly, 68.8% were satisfied, and 91.1% would recommend it.
Key Numbers
225 stores enrolled. 420 employees trained (43.5% female, 88.4% under 40). ID checking improved from 3.91 to 4.58. Intoxication detection confidence: 2.79 to 2.94. 91.1% would recommend. 5 training modules.
How They Did This
Randomized controlled trial of 225 state-licensed retail recreational marijuana stores across Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State. 125 stores received the online training. 420 employees completed 5 training modules between June 2017-February 2018.
Why This Research Matters
As recreational marijuana markets expand, responsible sales practices are critical for preventing underage access and intoxicated use. This study shows that approaches proven effective in the alcohol market can successfully transfer to cannabis retail.
The Bigger Picture
The alcohol industry spent decades developing responsible vendor programs. The cannabis industry can accelerate this process by adapting proven approaches. This trial provides the first rigorous evidence that such training works for marijuana retail.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-reported improvements may not translate to actual behavior change. No measurement of whether trained stores actually prevented more underage or intoxicated sales. Short-term assessment without long-term follow-up. Voluntary participation may bias toward more motivated stores.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do trained employees actually refuse more underage or intoxicated sales?
- ?Would mandatory training improve outcomes more than voluntary training?
- ?How should training evolve as product types and regulations change?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 91% would recommend
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated moderate because this is a randomized controlled trial, though the outcomes were self-reported improvements rather than observed behavioral changes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019 with 2017-2018 data from three early-legalization states.
- Original Title:
- Implementation and Effectiveness of an Online Responsible Vendor Training Program for Recreational Marijuana Stores in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State.
- Published In:
- Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 25(3), 238-244 (2019)
- Authors:
- Buller, David B(2), Woodall, W Gill(2), Saltz, Robert(2), Grayson, Andrew, Buller, Mary Klein
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01967
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does training marijuana store employees work?
In this trial, online training significantly improved ID checking skills, confidence to use tracking systems, and ability to spot intoxicated customers. Over 91% of trainees would recommend it.
What did the training cover?
Five modules: state laws and regulations, ID checking, health effects of marijuana, customer service practices including recognizing intoxication, and rules of the trade.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01967APA
Buller, David B; Woodall, W Gill; Saltz, Robert; Grayson, Andrew; Buller, Mary Klein. (2019). Implementation and Effectiveness of an Online Responsible Vendor Training Program for Recreational Marijuana Stores in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State.. Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 25(3), 238-244. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000000843
MLA
Buller, David B, et al. "Implementation and Effectiveness of an Online Responsible Vendor Training Program for Recreational Marijuana Stores in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State.." Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000000843
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Implementation and Effectiveness of an Online Responsible Ve..." RTHC-01967. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/buller-2019-implementation-and-effectiveness-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.