Colorado Cannabis Hospitality Training

Colorado MED-Approved Hospitality Training

In May 2019, the Colorado state legislature passed House Bill 19-1230 — also known as the Marijuana Hospitality Bill — which legalized marijuana hospitality establishments and the social consumption of marijuana in licensed retail facilities. Employees of these facilities, including owners and managers, are required to complete state-approved training.

Our 100% online Colorado Cannabis Hospitality Training course is state approved and designed for employees of licensed marijuana hospitality businesses. It educates new and existing employees on key regulations, safety, professionalism, communication and product knowledge. Becoming a responsible cannabis vendor is a state requirement that helps prevent unethical practices, such as selling to minors or intoxicated patrons.

Types of businesses that can earn a hospitality license include:

Tasting Rooms

Social Lounges

Cafes

Cannabis Restaurants

Hotels

Dispensaries

Music Venues

And more

About Colorado Cannabis Hospitality Training

This 30-minute course is easy to navigate and can be completed 100% online. The course includes audio narration and an instant certificate download. You can even streamline your team's state-required training with a convenient course package that combines hospitality training with Colorado Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training.

Topics covered in cannabis hospitality training include:

Gauging user experience with regulated marijuana
Options for lower-dose products
Resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Marijuana Enforcement Division (CDPHE-MED)
Handling a law enforcement or regulator investigation
Identification methods during an interaction with law enforcement, division employees or local regulators
Poly-substance interactions with marijuana
Resources to decrease impaired driving, including safe transportation options
Visible signs of alcohol and drug impairment
Responding to adverse events, such as overconsumption, dehydration and poly-substance use
De-escalation strategies for interacting with intoxicated consumers
Handling potentially dangerous situations

Testing Requirements

Colorado Cannabis Hospitality Training includes six brief quizzes and a final exam. The quizzes are designed to help learners review course topics and can be retaken as many times as desired.

The course ends with a 20-question final exam that requires a minimum passing score of 70%. Learners have unlimited attempts to take the exam, so they're guaranteed to pass. The exam is untimed.

Colorado Hospitality Training Outline

This course includes one learning module that covers hospitality topics required by Colorado MED. Explore a full overview of the course outline below.

Module 1: Managing Cannabis in a Hospitality Business

Topics covered:

Recommending Marijuana Products
THC Strengths for Types of Cannabis Products
Using Marijuana Responsibly
Using Marijuana with Other Substances
Recognizing Signs of Impairment
Interactions with Other Substances
Strategies for Refusing Service and Discouraging
Preventing Impaired Driving
Handling an Investigation
Identifying Yourself to Law Enforcement
Responding to an Adverse Event
What to Do if Emergency Responders Are Called
Recognizing and Responding to Violent Situations
Make an Emergency Action Plan

Learning objectives include:

Discuss how customers' varying experience with marijuana affects their reactions to it and options for lower-dose marijuana products
List resources available from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment about responsible marijuana use
Identify signs of alcohol and drug impairment
Describe how other substances may interact with marijuana
List resources to prevent impaired driving
Describe how to identify yourself to law enforcement, Marijuana Enforcement Division employees and local regulators
Discuss risks and potential responses to adverse events like overconsumption, altitude sickness, dehydration, etc.
Explain what to do during an investigation or medical/emergency service
List strategies to de-escalate interactions with intoxicated consumers and potentially dangerous situations

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs cannabis hospitality training?

Hospitality training is required for employees who work in licensed marijuana hospitality businesses in Colorado, including salespersons, owners and managers. Individuals must be at least 21 years old to sell and handle cannabis products. Additionally, cannabis industry employees must complete Responsible Vendor Training within 90 days of starting employment.

Hospitality training is required for employees and owners of businesses licensed for on-site consumption, including:

Retail Dispensaries
Tasting Rooms/Hospitality Lounges
Cannabis Restaurants
Social Clubs
Cafes
Cannabis Hotels
Music Venues
And More

Can I purchase Colorado Cannabis Hospitality Training for my entire team?

Yes! You can purchase multiple courses at once to ensure employees, managers and owners are properly trained and compliant with state regulations. Fill out the form below to request a quote and learn more.

What is the legality of on-site marijuana consumption in Colorado?

Social consumption of marijuana is legal in Colorado. House Bill 19-1230 legalized tasting room establishments and bring-your-own-cannabis establishments. Both types of businesses need to be properly licensed.

Local municipalities have the choice to ban social consumption lounges within their legal jurisdiction or create specific local licensing requirements. Businesses that wish to have a social consumption license cannot also hold a liquor license.

What are the types of marijuana hospitality licenses?

The two types of marijuana hospitality licenses include:

Tasting room. Businesses sell marijuana and related products for on-site consumption.
Bring your own cannabis. Consumers bring their own cannabis products to consume on site — the business cannot sell marijuana.

Is refresher training required?

Yes. Colorado requires employees of licensed marijuana hospitality businesses to complete refresher training every two years. This course satisfies requirements for new employee training and refresher training.

Can I combine cannabis hospitality training with Responsible Vendor Training?

Yes. For a comprehensive training experience, you can purchase Colorado Responsible Vendor Training + Hospitality, which includes both state-required courses. Enhance your team's knowledge of safe and responsible cannabis sales while meeting Colorado MED requirements for hospitality training.

When will employees receive their certificates?

Course certificates are available via instant download upon course completion.

Additional Links and Resources

Learn more about Colorado cannabis regulations, hospitality businesses and safe consumption.