Private cannabis retailers require a licence from their provincial government regulator to sell cannabis products. Generally, there is no formal education required to obtain a licence, however, provincial regulations determine if there are training and educational requirements to work as an employee at a licensed cannabis dispensary. Cannabis laws, including possession, buying and selling, and producing cannabis are complex and constantly changing. To get help, ask a lawyer now.

If you have been charged with a cannabis related or other criminal offence, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible.

Education and training courses across Canada

Across Canada, both licensed producers and cannabis retailers generally only hire individuals who have some formal level of education and training in the cannabis field. In addition, many cannabis producers will look to graduates of these programs to hire as technicians and in other positions.

Provincial and territorial retail cannabis store regulators have or are developing courses for retail cannabis workers.

 In addition to government required education, most provinces have cannabis-related training and education programs available at local colleges and universities which offer courses in the cultivation, promotion and sale of cannabis products. Courses cover all areas of the cannabis market, from health and safety regulations and how to grow cannabis (environmental conditions, lighting, pest control), to the business side of promotion such as marketing, pricing and packaging.

ALBERTA

Education for retailers

Staff who work at cannabis stores must:

• be at least 18 years of age,
• undergo a background check, and
• must also complete mandatory Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) training through a program called SellSafe.

The SellSafe program is similar to the course employees working with gaming and liquor must complete and takes 4-6 hours to complete.

Cultivation education:

At Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta students can complete courses online in the online Cannabis Education Program. There is a strong focus on how to understand and comply with the Cannabis Act regulations.

Olds College in Alberta offers the Cannabis Production and the Introduction to Cannabis Retail programs.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Education for retailers

Staff who work at cannabis stores must:

• be at least 19 years old
• be security-verified by the province every two years.

In the future, employees will be required to complete a provincial training program, which is currently being developed.

Cultivation education:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers online courses as part of its Cannabis Career Training Program. Classes teach plant production and facilities management, sales and marketing, drug development, and how to finance a cannabis business in Canada. The University also offers a Retail Cannabis Consultant Certificate Program, which trains students who want to become cannabis retailers on compliance with the laws as well as customer service.

MANITOBA

Education for retailers

Staff who work at cannabis stores must:

• be at least 19 years old
• complete the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority’s Smart Choices Cannabis Retail Certification program first.

NOVA SCOTIA

Education for retailers

Cannabis information company Lift & Co. administers the five-day Cannabis Retail Training Certification to Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) employees.

Cultivation education

In partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in British Columbia, Dalhousie University, College of Continuing Education in NS is offering a series of online courses in cannabis cultivation and management.

ONTARIO

Education for retailers

All retail managers and employees must complete the CannSell program designed and approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) of Ontario. The CannSell program is a mandatory online course that takes approximately four hours to complete and is designed to educate retail employees on selling cannabis along with retail legal and regulatory responsibilities. 

Cultivation education:

• Niagara College offers the Commercial Cannabis Production postgraduate certificate program.
• Durham College offers both a Cannabis Industry Specialization program and a two-day continuing education course on medical cannabis.
• Ryerson’s Chang School of Continuing Education is now offering a class called The Business of Cannabis.

SASKATCHEWAN

Education for retailers

Owners and employees of private cannabis retail stores must receive certification by completing the official provincial training program – CannaSell SK Responsible Cannabis Sales.

QUEBEC

Cultivation education

McGill’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences offers workshops on medical cannabis production and quality control.

YUKON

Education for retailers
The Yukon Liquor Corporation is developing an online training certification course that is mandatory for cannabis retail staff and licensees.  The course will cover a number of topics including:

• legislation and policy
• how to tell if someone is intoxicated
• what is cannabis and its properties
• health risks associated with cannabis use
• cannabis potency
• rules for selling cannabis
• acceptable identification
• buying and transporting cannabis
• when to refuse to sell cannabis

For more information about cannabis and the law, choose from our 100 topics on Cannabis Law.

Get help

To erase your criminal record for simple cannabis possession or any other criminal charges, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our preferred criminal defence expert, Calvin Barry Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation at 416-938-5858 .

Cannabis laws, including possession, buying and selling, and producing cannabis are complex and constantly changing. To get help, ask a lawyer now.

								
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