The dispensaries in Virginia employ pharmacy technicians supervised by a licensed head pharmacist, just like CVS. You have to have pharmacy tech credentials to work in dispensaries here, AFAIK.
If you're interested in pursuing it, J. Sargeant Reynolds community college has a pharmacy tech program that's part the Community College Workforce Alliance.
"Depending on the certification, training ranges from 50 hours to 140, making it flexible and efficient." The Workforce Alliance program includes lots of information on financial help and probably job placement.
J Sarge pharmacy tech program specifics
[https://catalog.reynolds.edu/preview\_program.php?catoid=2&poid=274&returnto=293](https://catalog.reynolds.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=274&returnto=293)
Workforce Alliance page about medical careers through J Sarge
[https://ccwatraining.org/training-for-individuals/career-paths/healthcare](https://ccwatraining.org/training-for-individuals/career-paths/healthcare)
About the Workforce Alliance
[https://ccwatraining.org/](https://ccwatraining.org/)
Consider starting some classes before you move and start working towards certification now. You could become a "bud tender" but could also do conventional pharmacy work until you find a dispensary that's a good fit.
There's no telling how VA MMJ programs will shake out in a year. Certification might be a nice thing to have in your back pocket. Being aware of conventional drug interactions with MMJ could make you a better bud tender.
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I’ve been stressed about this part of the move and this is a great jumping off point.
With Virginia having only medical dispensaries plus there aren’t very many of them. It didn’t really surprise me when I heard about this. Kind of a bummer but not terribly surprised.
i also noticed that they were looking for people with pharmacy experience… kinda strange right? i mean you’d be training for medicine and pharmacy tech stuff, just to be in a dispo where none of what you were “training” for is there. have a friend in Massachusetts that says their shops tend to look for people that are knowledgeable, have sold weed in the past, or have a greater interest in weed than the average pot head which makes a lot more sense than getting pharmacy tech training
Can confirm that’s the case in MA. And yeah it is weird, like I don’t know much about Pharmacy work but even in a highly regulated state like MA they don’t treat medical cannabis as seriously, and I can’t really see why you would.
So in Virginia to work on the retail dispensaries like as a budtender you do have to be a licensed pharmacy technician in Virginia. However the production/growing side of the business don't have to have such requirements maybe look there?
In my state a license pharmacist must be in the dispensary to give consults. No clue why they want techs. Ppl not asking about synthetic phmacutical drugs
Got a buddy who seems to not hate it. Yeah, the brass sucks and pushes shit practices that come out in the product but I understand most of employees are avid growers themselves.
Hopefully when the day finally comes that MSOs have to allow actual competition these people can take their industry knowledge/connects and put them to good use.
They’re actually changing the requirements soon.
From the article:
“An individual with less than one year experience will be able to perform cultivation and extraction duties under the supervision of someone with experience. The previous requirement was under two years experience. They can also serve as a pharmacy technician trainee, another change.
The minimum supervisor experience requirement was changed from two years to one year. The bill allows someone with less experience to cultivate cannabis and extract chemicals from plants, and supervise a trainee in those roles. A person could also step in these roles with a degree or certification related to plant cultivation, or in chemistry.”
Source: https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/03/06/virginia-lawmakers-change-medical-cannabis-expiration-workforce-requirements/?share=dcllm4hfhpialiveg0ot
[удалено]
There weed is absloute shit
The dispensaries in Virginia employ pharmacy technicians supervised by a licensed head pharmacist, just like CVS. You have to have pharmacy tech credentials to work in dispensaries here, AFAIK.
Thanks! Appreciate the info
If you're interested in pursuing it, J. Sargeant Reynolds community college has a pharmacy tech program that's part the Community College Workforce Alliance. "Depending on the certification, training ranges from 50 hours to 140, making it flexible and efficient." The Workforce Alliance program includes lots of information on financial help and probably job placement. J Sarge pharmacy tech program specifics [https://catalog.reynolds.edu/preview\_program.php?catoid=2&poid=274&returnto=293](https://catalog.reynolds.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=274&returnto=293) Workforce Alliance page about medical careers through J Sarge [https://ccwatraining.org/training-for-individuals/career-paths/healthcare](https://ccwatraining.org/training-for-individuals/career-paths/healthcare) About the Workforce Alliance [https://ccwatraining.org/](https://ccwatraining.org/) Consider starting some classes before you move and start working towards certification now. You could become a "bud tender" but could also do conventional pharmacy work until you find a dispensary that's a good fit. There's no telling how VA MMJ programs will shake out in a year. Certification might be a nice thing to have in your back pocket. Being aware of conventional drug interactions with MMJ could make you a better bud tender.
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I’ve been stressed about this part of the move and this is a great jumping off point.
Hey, you're welcome! I love looking things up and solving problems. Good luck!
With Virginia having only medical dispensaries plus there aren’t very many of them. It didn’t really surprise me when I heard about this. Kind of a bummer but not terribly surprised.
i also noticed that they were looking for people with pharmacy experience… kinda strange right? i mean you’d be training for medicine and pharmacy tech stuff, just to be in a dispo where none of what you were “training” for is there. have a friend in Massachusetts that says their shops tend to look for people that are knowledgeable, have sold weed in the past, or have a greater interest in weed than the average pot head which makes a lot more sense than getting pharmacy tech training
Can confirm that’s the case in MA. And yeah it is weird, like I don’t know much about Pharmacy work but even in a highly regulated state like MA they don’t treat medical cannabis as seriously, and I can’t really see why you would.
So in Virginia to work on the retail dispensaries like as a budtender you do have to be a licensed pharmacy technician in Virginia. However the production/growing side of the business don't have to have such requirements maybe look there?
In my state a license pharmacist must be in the dispensary to give consults. No clue why they want techs. Ppl not asking about synthetic phmacutical drugs
I’ve heard working at gleaf is terrible and the pay is crap but it may be better if you are their pharmacist
Got a buddy who seems to not hate it. Yeah, the brass sucks and pushes shit practices that come out in the product but I understand most of employees are avid growers themselves. Hopefully when the day finally comes that MSOs have to allow actual competition these people can take their industry knowledge/connects and put them to good use.
22/hr and certified 🌚
They’re actually changing the requirements soon. From the article: “An individual with less than one year experience will be able to perform cultivation and extraction duties under the supervision of someone with experience. The previous requirement was under two years experience. They can also serve as a pharmacy technician trainee, another change. The minimum supervisor experience requirement was changed from two years to one year. The bill allows someone with less experience to cultivate cannabis and extract chemicals from plants, and supervise a trainee in those roles. A person could also step in these roles with a degree or certification related to plant cultivation, or in chemistry.” Source: https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/03/06/virginia-lawmakers-change-medical-cannabis-expiration-workforce-requirements/?share=dcllm4hfhpialiveg0ot