Trained Dispensary Budtenders Interact Differently with Patients Than Untrained Ones
Formally trained budtenders were more experienced and used more digital communication with patients, but were less likely to view medical decision-making as very important and less likely to describe their approach as patient-centered.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 158 budtenders surveyed in California, 56% had received formal training. Trained budtenders were significantly more likely to have budtending as their primary job (74% vs. 53%), to have practiced more than five years (34% vs. 11%), and to receive sales commissions (57% vs. 16%).
Paradoxically, trained budtenders were significantly less likely to view medical decision-making as "very important" (47% vs. 68%) and less likely to describe their philosophy as patient-centered (77% vs. 89%). They also used more digital channels to communicate with patients, including email, text, mobile apps, video calls, and social media.
The finding that formal training was associated with less emphasis on patient-centered medical advice raises questions about what budtender training programs actually teach and whether they prioritize sales skills over patient care.
Key Numbers
158 budtenders surveyed. 56% formally trained. Trained vs. untrained: primary job 74% vs. 53%, 5+ years experience 34% vs. 11%, sales commission 57% vs. 16%, medical decision-making "very important" 47% vs. 68%, patient-centered philosophy 77% vs. 89%.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional internet survey administered between June and September 2016 to budtenders in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles. A total of 158 budtenders completed the survey. Comparisons were made between formally trained and untrained budtenders on demographics, workplace characteristics, medical decision-making attitudes, and digital communication behaviors.
Why This Research Matters
Dispensary budtenders are often the primary source of medical guidance for cannabis patients, yet their training, qualifications, and approach to patient care vary widely. This study reveals that formal training may not be producing the patient-centered outcomes one might expect, and the high rate of sales commissions among trained budtenders suggests potential conflicts of interest.
The Bigger Picture
As medical cannabis programs expand, the role of dispensary staff in patient care receives increasing scrutiny. This study suggests that the current training landscape may emphasize product knowledge and sales over genuine patient-centered medical guidance, a gap that matters when patients rely on budtenders instead of healthcare providers for treatment decisions.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional internet survey with a convenience sample from two California regions. Self-reported attitudes may not reflect actual behavior. The study was conducted before California's recreational legalization took effect (Proposition 64 passed November 2016), and the dispensary landscape has changed significantly since then. What counts as "formal training" was not standardized.
Questions This Raises
- ?What do budtender training programs actually cover?
- ?Does the gap between trained and untrained budtenders in patient-centeredness reflect the training content or a selection effect?
- ?How has the transition to recreational markets changed budtender-patient interactions?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 57% of trained budtenders received sales commissions vs. 16% of untrained ones
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary evidence from a single cross-sectional survey with a convenience sample.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2017, before California recreational legalization took full effect. Dispensary dynamics have shifted significantly since.
- Original Title:
- Medical Decision-Making Processes and Online Behaviors Among Cannabis Dispensary Staff.
- Published In:
- Substance abuse : research and treatment, 11, 1178221817725515 (2017)
- Authors:
- Peiper, Nicholas C(2), Gourdet, Camille(2), Meinhofer, Angélica, Reiman, Amanda, Reggente, Nicco
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01481
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Should I trust my budtender's medical advice?
This study found that budtender training, attitudes, and potential conflicts of interest (like sales commissions) vary widely. While budtenders can be knowledgeable about products, they are not medical professionals. For medical conditions, consulting with a healthcare provider alongside dispensary staff is advisable.
What does "formally trained" mean for budtenders?
The study did not define a standard curriculum. "Formal training" encompassed various programs and certifications that budtenders self-reported completing. There is no universal standard for budtender education.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01481APA
Peiper, Nicholas C; Gourdet, Camille; Meinhofer, Angélica; Reiman, Amanda; Reggente, Nicco. (2017). Medical Decision-Making Processes and Online Behaviors Among Cannabis Dispensary Staff.. Substance abuse : research and treatment, 11, 1178221817725515. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221817725515
MLA
Peiper, Nicholas C, et al. "Medical Decision-Making Processes and Online Behaviors Among Cannabis Dispensary Staff.." Substance abuse : research and treatment, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221817725515
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical Decision-Making Processes and Online Behaviors Among..." RTHC-01481. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/peiper-2017-medical-decisionmaking-processes-and
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.