Oaksterdam University’s Mississippi Medical Cannabis Dispensary Worker Training provides the most comprehensive education for pursuing a Medical Cannabis Dispensary Worker career in full compliance with Mississippi state law. This online course consists of resources, presentations, and mastery exercises developed by industry leaders. Click on the Curriculum tab above for the full list of lessons in this course.

Certification Program – This course is only available online. There are no scheduled times. You may complete the modules at your own pace and have 365 days to complete the course. A certificate of completion may be printed upon successfully passing the final exam. The course is approved by the Mississippi State Department of Revenue and meets all requirements to certify medical cannabis dispensary workers.

Course Overview

Medical Cannabis Dispensary Workers directly serve customers with specific medical needs. They must understand the powerful medical effects of cannabis products and be able to convey complex information on dosing and safety to their customers.

A dispensary worker must not only be well-versed in the potential effects of the products they sell and current scientific literature but also be compliant with state law. In this course, we hope to provide you with both the knowledge and the skills you will need to succeed as a dispensary worker.

In the first two modules of this course, we will cover the laws and regulations relevant to production and sales at the local, state and federal level.

In Module 1, “Federal vs. State Laws,” we examine the interaction between federal and state laws with a special emphasis on regulations that impact 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 on the risks and penalties for breaking federal laws.

In Module 2, “Mississippi Laws & Regulations,” we provide dispensary workers in Mississippi with the required knowledge to comply with cannabis law. We include an overview of state laws and regulations and how to communicate these laws and regulations to patients. We look at identifying the agencies responsible for regulating cannabis in Mississippi and how to contact them. We discuss the cannabis supply chain, then cover who is qualified to purchase medical cannabis in Mississippi. Finally we go over purchase and possession limits in the state.

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

In Module 3, “Medical Cannabis Dispensary Worker Foundations,” we detail the necessary qualifications required of a dispensary worker, the most important of which is outstanding customer service skills. We go on to explain how a dispensary worker serves as an ambassador for the entire cannabis industry, and outline some of the unique responsibilities that come along with selling products which have powerful medical and therapeutic benefits. We then look at some of the specific aspects of working in a dispensary 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 hygiene standards that are essential to adhere to in cannabis dispensaries, 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 the needs of your customers and provide guidance on appropriate dosage.

In Module 5, “The Effects of Cannabis,” we present the information necessary to provide comprehensive, evidence-based answers to your customers’ questions about dosing and effects, and help them select a formulation and dosage which is safe and effective. We look at how the potency, effects, and duration of effects differs across various methods of ingestion, and introduce the concept of the “therapeutic window” of effective doses. We also discuss potential interactions between cannabis and other drugs, including opioids, and introduce the concept of selecting specific cultivars to produce specific effects.

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” in the context of describing cannabis varieties, and break down the myth of the dichotomy between “indica” and “sativa.” Then we learn more about what actually drives the differences in effects among cultivars, and examine the lack of standardization in cannabis cultivar labeling. We wrap up the module and the course with strategies for helping customers and patients select cultivars that will achieve their desired effect.

In Module 7, “Products, Methods of Ingestion & Dosing,” we examine how commercial markets have provided an outlet for innovation in the cannabis industry and how products vary not just due to plant variety and phytochemical profile but 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, duration, and overall effect, and different methods used to ingest these products in the body. Finally, we teach budtenders how to guide customers, recommend products, and help people avoid common adverse outcomes.

Finally, in Module 8, “Customer Service,” we outline techniques a dispensary worker can use to gauge customers’ level of experience with cannabis and identify their needs. We cover consultation basics and approaches for common customer types. We discuss the importance and limitations of the dispensary worker in the customer experience as a source of information and guidance. Then, we detail how to recognize the spectrum of customers’ knowledge and experience and identify ways to adjust service to accommodate needs. Finally, we share tools to diffuse situations with difficult patients. 

We are going to cover a lot of information in this course, some of which will be very technical in nature. We know some of it will be difficult to master, but we consider the knowledge and skills you will gain by doing so essential to success as a dispensary worker. The cannabis industry is changing every day, and it would be impossible for us to cover everything you will ever need to know. Our goal with this certification course is to give you the tools you need to get started and keep learning throughout your career in cannabis. Good luck, and remember, we are here to support you in any way we can!