ANAB-Accredited Responsible Vendor Training for the Cannabis Industry

Budtender

Cannabis Education Center's Responsible Vendor Training program is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which is internationally recognized as the highest standard in certificate program quality.

The course provides an online instructional experience for employees who sell, handle or transport cannabis for a medical dispensary or retail store. This includes budtenders, salespersons, managers, transporters and other vendors who must complete ANAB-accredited training to work in the cannabis industry.

Our Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training course was second in the nation to receive accreditation under ASTM D8403-21 — a new standard ANAB created for the cannabis and hemp industries. Not all cannabis training providers offer courses that meet this standard.

Throughout this training, students will learn about laws, regulations and industry standards for safe and responsible cannabis sales. Upon successful course completion, they can instantly download their completion certificate. Certificates are valid for one year after the issue date, and retraining is typically required annually.

About Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training

Responsible Vendor Training prepares budtenders, transporters, managers, owners and other employees of retail establishments to sell cannabis products safely and legally in a tightly regulated industry.

Learning objectives include:

  • Recall laws and regulations related to the sale and use of cannabis
  • Discuss the health effects of cannabis use on the human body
  • Identify signs of impairment and appropriate intervention techniques
  • List methods for assisting customers and checking identification to prevent illegal sales
  • State health, safety and packaging standards for cannabis distribution and retail sales
  • Outline the seed-to-sale distribution and recordkeeping process
  • Describe best practices related to cannabis product delivery

Earning an ANAB-accredited Cannabis Responsible Vendor certificate online is fast and convenient. The course includes at least three hours of learning. Students must pass a final exam with a score of at least 75%.

Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training Course Outline

The ANAB-accredited Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training course covers eight modules on cannabis laws, safe and legal sales, industry requirements for cannabis vendors and more.

Course modules include:

  • Cannabis Laws and Regulations in the United States
  • Effects of Cannabis on the Human Body
  • Safety Concerns Related to Cannabis Use
  • Performing Responsible Cannabis Sales
  • Health and Safety Standards in the Cannabis Industry
  • Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Requirements
  • Cannabis Recordkeeping Requirements
  • Cannabis Transport Requirements

A complete overview of each course module is listed below.

Module 1: Cannabis Legislation in the United States

Topics covered in Module 1 include:

  • Lawful Sales and Use
  • State vs. Federal Law
  • Legal Recreational Use
  • Legal Medical Use
  • Decriminalized States
  • Dispensaries vs. Retail Locations

Learning objectives include:

  • Summarize U.S. laws that regulate selling and using cannabis
  • Compare laws and regulations for dispensaries and retail establishments

Module 2: Effects of Cannabis on the Human Body

Topics covered in Module 2 include:

  • The Physical and Mental Effects of Cannabis Use
  • Short- and Long-Term Effects
  • Effects of Cannabis on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
  • Interactions with Other Substances

Learning objectives include:

  • Describe the physical and mental effects of cannabis consumption on the human body
  • Explain the risks of mixing cannabis with other substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications or illegal drugs

Module 3: Safety Concerns Related to Cannabis Use

Topics covered in Module 3 include:

  • Signs of Impairment
  • Unintentional Consumption and Overconsumption
  • Preventing Accidental Consumption or Overconsumption
  • Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis
  • General DUI Laws and Penalties
  • Impaired Driving Prevention

Learning objectives include:

  • Recognize signs of impairment caused by cannabis use
  • Recall appropriate intervention techniques for handling unintentional consumption or overconsumption of cannabis
  • Summarize U.S. laws related to driving under the influence of cannabis

Module 4: Responsible Retail Sales

Topics covered in Module 4 include:

  • Responsible Selling Practices
  • Cannabis Product Knowledge
  • Medical Cannabis Sales
  • Lower-Dose Cannabis Products
  • Steps for Checking ID
  • Identifying Counterfeit IDs
  • Observing Customers
  • Preventing Illegal Sales
  • Decoy Programs

Learning objectives include:

  • Determine methods for assisting and advising customers purchasing cannabis
  • Identify types of valid identification for age verification
  • Describe how to check identification in a manner that prevents underage sales

Module 5: Health and Safety Standards in the Cannabis Industry

Topics covered in Module 5 include:

  • Health and Safety Standards
  • Personal Hygiene and Prohibited Actions
  • Cannabis Facilities
  • Safe Storage of Cannabis
  • Sanitation of Workplace
  • Waste Handling and Disposal

Learning objectives include:

  • List health and safety standards concerning the personal hygiene of staff
  • List protective clothing provided by employers
  • State health and safety standards related to the storage of cannabis products, as well as sanitation and waste management standards for cannabis-handling facilities

Module 6: Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Topics covered in Module 6 include:

  • Cannabis Packaging Requirements
  • Cannabis Labeling Requirements
  • Labeling and Packaging Materials
  • Exit Packaging
  • Child-Resistant and Tamper-Evident Packaging
  • Warning Labels and Labeling Protocols

Learning objectives include:

  • Explain sustainability, tracking and security requirements for cannabis packaging
  • List information, nutrition and warning labeling requirements for cannabis packaging

Module 7: Cannabis Supply Chain and Recordkeeping

Topics covered in Module 7 include:

  • Cannabis Retail Distribution
  • Supply Chain
  • Inventory Tracking Regulations
  • Records Management
  • Records Inventory List
  • Patient Records

Learning objectives include:

  • Discuss the stages of the cannabis seed-to-sale supply chain
  • Recall regulations related to inventory tracking and recordkeeping

Module 8: Cannabis Product Transport

Topics covered in Module 8 include:

  • Best Practices for Cannabis Transport
  • Transport Personnel
  • Transport Managers
  • Transport Agents

Learning objectives include:

  • List eligibility requirements and responsibilities for transport managers and agents
  • Discuss security measures for transporting cannabis between facilities

Benefits of ANAB-Accredited Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training

As the cannabis industry continues to gain traction across the United States, the demand for qualified budtenders, transporters and other dispensary employees is growing. Securing accredited training for your team ensures that employees meet state compliance requirements, gain industry knowledge and satisfy key learning outcomes.

Our course certificate displays the logo of the ANSI National Accreditation Board, which is internationally recognized as a sign of quality training. New entrants to the cannabis industry, current employees and dispensary owners seeking team training can benefit from this program and learn critical requirements that protect the business from liability.

Students will learn about key laws and regulations, packaging and handling requirements, preventing illegal sales and a wide range of best practices for the cannabis industry. Learn more about the benefits of ANAB-accredited cannabis training programs on the ANAB website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I purchase training for my entire team?

Yes. Managers and business owners can buy multiple courses at once to ensure their team members complete their required training. Explore our bulk pricing to get started.

Who needs ANAB-accredited Responsible Vendor Training?

This course is designed for cannabis vendors, including budtenders, salespersons, managers and transporters, who are legally required to complete an ANAB-accredited cannabis certificate course. Business owners may also need to complete Responsible Vendor Training.

Is this program accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)?

Yes, our Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training program is accredited by ANAB. You can review our accreditation on ANAB's website under our parent company, Certus/StateFoodSafety.

To address the needs of the growing cannabis and hemp industries, the ANSI National Accreditation Board established ASTM D8403-21 (Standard Practice for Certificate Programs within the Cannabis and Hemp Industries). We are the second training provider in the nation to receive accreditation under this new standard.

Is this course accepted in every state?

The Responsible Vendor Training course satisfies requirements for ANAB-accredited cannabis training, but some states require cannabis employees to complete a course that covers state laws, regulations and topics specified by the state's cannabis control commission. Please contact us if you're unsure whether this program satisfies compliance requirements for your state.

Can students earn their Responsible Vendor Certificate online?

Yes, our Responsible Vendor Training program is available 100% online. Students can log in from any device and complete training at their own pace.

What are the testing requirements for this course?

Students are required to pass a 40-question final exam with a score of 75% or higher. Learners have two attempts to pass.

Does the course expire?

Students must complete the training and pass the final exam within 90 days of registering for the course.

When will students receive their Responsible Vendor Training certificate?

Certificates are available to download and print immediately after course completion. To complete the course, students must finish each course module and pass the final exam.

How long are Responsible Vendor Training certificates valid?

The certificate is valid for one year after the issue date. Many states require employees and business owners to retake the course annually to maintain a valid certificate.

How can I contact support?

Contact us with questions regarding our training programs, business solutions or technical support.

Additional Links and Resources

Explore additional information and resources relevant to responsible cannabis vendors.