Utah Medical Cannabis Pharmacy Agent Training

Utah Medical Cannabis Pharmacy Agent Training covers the best practices and safety procedures for pharmacy agents to follow to protect customer health and comply with state law. Students who complete this course will understand how cannabis is regulated in Utah, how to talk about cannabis, how not to talk about cannabis, and when to defer questions to the on-site pharmacist. They will have a clear understanding of the supply chain, how it is regulated, and how to navigate products available in the pharmacy.

Completion of the course results in dual certification by the State of Utah and Oaksterdam University. Oaksterdam’s training is only the second program certified by the State of Utah and the only program with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares pharmacy agents for the job.*

*The State of Utah only requires training on state laws and regulations. This program offers much more at a lower price. Once they complete this course and pass the final exam, they will be trained on all aspects of the job.

Course Curriculum

1. Federal vs. State Laws
2. Utah Laws & Regulations
3. Pharmacy Agent Foundations
4. Hygiene for Retail Workers
5. The Effects of Cannabis
6. Cultivar Selection
7. Products, Methods of Ingestion & Dosage Considerations

In Module 1, “Federal vs. State Laws,” we examine the interaction between federal and state laws and how they shape the cannabis industry. We cover the structure of the US government and legal system and review the separation of powers between the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. We detail information on federal enforcement tactics and priorities and conclude with an overview of the risks and penalties for breaking federal laws.

In Module 2, “Utah Laws & Regulations,” we provide cannabis retail workers with the required knowledge to comply with state laws and regulations and easily communicate them to customers. We identify the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medical Cannabis (DHHS) and Utah Department of Agriculture & Food (UDAF) as the agencies responsible for regulating medical cannabis in Utah. We discuss the supply chain and key regulations, including purchase and possession limits and interacting with the on-site pharmacist.

In the next two modules of the course, we define the role of the pharmacy agent and the skills needed to succeed in the job. We also discuss day-to-day life inside the pharmacy and how it differs from other retail customer service work environments.

In Module 3, “Pharmacy Agent Foundations,” we detail the necessary qualifications required of a pharmacy agent, the most important of which is outstanding customer service skills. A pharmacy agent is an ambassador for the entire cannabis industry and has unique responsibilities. We then look at some specific aspects of working in a pharmacy that make it different from other customer service jobs, including special product handling requirements and enhanced on-site security.

In Module 4, “Hygiene for Retail Workers,” we cover the essential hygiene standards that protect workers and the public, especially in cannabis pharmacies where customers may be older, immunocompromised, or otherwise at higher risk. We discuss personal hygiene and offer an understanding of how disease-causing pathogens spread and what retail workers can do to mitigate risk. We learn how to properly clean, sanitize, and disinfect shared spaces. Finally, we cover best practices for using personal protective equipment (PPE).

In the next two modules of the course, we dive deep into the specific knowledge you need to recommend products that meet customers’ needs and provide product guidance.

In Module 5, “The Effects of Cannabis,” we present the information necessary to provide comprehensive, evidence-based guidance about dosing and effects. We look at how the potency, effects, and duration of effects differ across various methods of ingestion.

In Module 6, “Cultivar Selection,” we examine one of the most complex — and most contested — topics in cannabis today: the identification and classification of individual cannabis cultivars, which are commonly called “strains.” We explain why the term “cultivar” is more accurate than “strain” and dispel the myth of the dichotomy between “indica” and “sativa.”

In Module 7, “Products, Methods of Ingestion & Dosing Considerations,” we examine how products vary not just by plant variety and phytochemical profile but also by how they are ingested and processed by the body. We start by covering how cannabis is infused, extracted, and processed into other end-use products. We detail how these products vary in potency and duration of effect and the different methods used to ingest them.