i’ve worked in retail and customer service for about 14 years. have had management experience for 10 of those years and worked in a larger dispensary for about a year. there’s currently no dispensaries in the town i live in, but the one i’m interviewing for opens in about a month. at my current job, i make $21 an hr with full benefits and this dispensary job offers zero benefits, just PTO. i applied to this job before knowing the wages and i was excited because its very close to where i live (in colorado) and i commute about 30 mins for work right now.
i just still don’t understand how such a specialized industry pays their workers less than a fast food joint, when we’re supposed to be educated and able to recommend specific products to customers… im gonna do the interview but i dont think there’s any way i can afford to leave my current job with what they’re offering.
i dont think tips are going to be particularly high at this location, as its next to a town (10 mins away) with multiple dispensaries and this one will be a drive through which sorta eliminates the customer “experience” that often warrants tips. and no one should have to depend on unreliable income. they should pay their employees a living wage and then grant them tips as a bonus.
also, did a little research and the the owner of this new dispensary wants to make it all AI oriented, touch screen drive thru bs so i’m not even sure how that’s gonna work out or if this place will even survive. the dude is a total trump supporter too.
i feel like being in the marijuana industry, especially working as a budtender, is just a glorified retail job and the management only cares about sales and nothing else. used to be about passionate employees who wanted to share their knowledge and help those that need it but it all feels so gross to me anymore.