Free Dispensary Training Options: Online & In-Person

Are you interested in joining the Illinois cannabis industry?

Maybe you’re already involved and wanting to get further faster?

With new dispensaries and cannabis businesses opening across the country, now is a great time to jump into the cannabis industry, feet first!

Do You Need Dispensary Training?

If you want to work in a dispensary setting, the first step is getting the proper training. We wrote an article about all the requirements to be a budtender in Illinois. Check it out here.

All individuals involved in dispensary operations in Illinois are required to complete 8-hours of training each year to hone their skills in the industry and stay on top of state regulations and compliance.

Training provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge, refine your skills, and keep you up-to-date on compliance.  is the process of learning and refining knowledge and skills so that you are better prepared follow compliances and to add value in your role. 

Training is a great way to explore cannabis industry and determine if it is right for you. There are lots of free dispensary training opportunities along with paid train options for those needing certifications or wanting a more in-depth dive into the cannabis industry.

Below, we’ll cover free dispensary training options in Illinois and online to further your cannabis career.

Free Dispensary Training Options

Finding free dispensary training options in your state is not always easy. Below we highlight some of the free dispensary training options available to you in Illinois and online. 

Free Cannabis 101 Training (Online)

Before starting a career in cannabis, you’ll want to be educated on the ins and outs of the cannabis industry in Illinois.

Cannabis 101 is a one-hour online webinar every entry level cannabis industry worker should take. The course covers the fundamentals of the cannabis industry and breaks down the basics so they’re easy to understand.

This course is free to watch and counts to your annual training requirement in Illinois.

Illinois Responsible Vendor Training (In-Person)

All cannabis industry workers in Illinois need to complete Responsible Vendor Training [link here]. Everyone involved in the handling or sale of cannabis or cannabis-infused products including dispensary workers, managers, growers, and owners needs to be badged certified by the state of Illinois before working in the industry. To obtain your badge, you must complete annual responsible vendor training.

Available through our community partners, Illinois Cannabis Training Center is able to offer this training free to individuals from socially impacted communities and communities disproportionately impacted the war on drugs.

Check out our community partners to see if you are eligible for this free dispensary training.

• NDICA
• Cannabis Equity llinois Coalition
• Chicago Urban League
• Take Back My Legacy Fellowship

Where can I find free dispensary training?

Being resourceful is vital to any career journey. While most certification and training programs will require some upfront fees, there are plenty of cannabis job trainings available for free.

Cannabis websites such Leafly, HerbCEO, and ICTC post resources to expand your cannabis knowledge and help you develop in your career completely for free. These articles, webinars, libraries, and downloads are all valuable to you in building your career in cannabis, and they’re completely free to you!

Also, don’t underestimate the power of social media. Many cannabis brands are on Instagram and TikTok. They share educational posts that will help expand your cannabis knowledge base as you grow in the industry. All this totally free to learn and easily available during a morning commute or post-dinner scrolling.

Want to find more free dispensary training options?

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