In this series of interviews, we report the experiences and opinions of those who have made a profession out of cannabis.

Growers, breeders, biologists, marketing experts, budtenders, sales representatives, and other industry professionals explain how they started their careers, the challenges they faced, and how they trained to get where they are.

We discover what they think about the current and future situation of the cannabis industry and finally ask for some useful advice for those who want to become cannabis professionals.

Interview #3: Giuki (Budtender)

We interviewed Giuki, a budtender with years of experience. She works in a Cannabis Social Club in Barcelona, is 27 years old, and was born in Turin, although she decided to move to a different city very early on.

We try to understand how she started her journey and what advice she would give to those who want to find work in this field.

When and how did you start working in the industry?

I moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2015, and after just two months, I started working in the first cannabis social club. My goal from the beginning was to work with cannabis, and I was very clear about that.

I started to make myself known by bringing my resume personally to many clubs and attending the ones I liked the most.

Did you find any difficulties entering the field?

No, I was 20 years old, with little experience but a great love for the plant. At the time, I only spoke Italian and English.
If you are a girl, it is easier to find work in an association (or cannabis social club – ed).

The hard part comes later…it is a somewhat male-dominated environment, and you have to work very hard to be taken seriously.

What are the 3 things you like most about your job?

Helping medical consumers, exchanging information about cannabis with other people, and dealing with different cannabis products every day.

How did you train to get to this point?

By talking and working with industry professionals, reading a lot, watching videos on the topic, participating in courses and workshops. But above all, working in direct contact with flowers, hash, extractions… Seeing, smelling, and tasting for myself! Because besides theory, practice is also necessary!

What does working as a Budtender mean to you?

It means being able to inform and help every type of consumer find the product that best suits their needs.

Who do you have to thank?

There were a few but incredible people who gave me the opportunity to work alongside them and had no problem teaching me everything they knew.

I thank them and I thank myself for not giving up despite the thousand difficulties encountered.

In your opinion, what is currently the biggest challenge in the industry?

Finally being able to legalize cannabis.

How do you see the cannabis industry in Europe in 10 years?

I hope it’s like it is in America now.

Where do you see yourself professionally in 10 years?

In 10 years, I would like to also define myself as a grower and extractor, maybe I won’t be in Spain anymore, who knows. What is certain is that I will still be working with cannabis!

Any advice you would give to someone wanting to enter this industry?

Try it, don’t give up, but above all, study and keep studying always. Do it for passion, not for money, because the difference will show.

Conclusion

We thank Giuki enormously for answering our questions. We hope her advice will be useful to you, and if you want, you can follow her on Instagram: @perlamadonnahh

If you are looking for an opportunity in the cannabis world, take a look at the latest job offers!

Who would you like us to interview in the next article? Leave a comment.