Ask a Budtender: Amber Rivera

Amber Rivera grew up in Arroyo Grande, California. After working with her parent’s multimedia company she returned to college and earned two Associates of Art degrees in Legal Studies and Liberal Arts. Amber lived her dream working at a ski resort, China Peak Mountain Resort, and is now living her second dream job at Seaweed Dispensary in Lompoc. Amber makes her home in Arroyo Grande, California with her daughter Shy, their two dogs Gwen (Stefani) and Willie (Nelson), two cats Lil Bowie and Lil Joplin, and a duck named Pooper.

Tell us a little about your personal experience with cannabis?

Recreationally I’ve been a cannabis user for more than 30 years. As an adult it has become an integral part of my life. I have found that consuming it in forms other than smoking, I have a more long-lasting whole body feeling. I basically feel amazing all the time. Professionally this is my first experience in the industry.

How did you land at SeaWeed on Ocean?

I spent the last 10 years In the Sierra National Forest at a ski resort running their Purchasing and Warehouse Departments, on federal property where all forms of cannabis are illegal. Last year I met one of the owners of Seaweed on the mountain and when the pandemic closed the resort, I moved back to the Coast to be closer to my parents and daughter. The opportunity came for me to join the team to help with the office work, kind of “behind the scenes.” I came to work here last August and now handle the day-to-day operations of the store. qualified as a budtender is about asking questions and understanding the concerns people have regarding the products. So now every product we receive or before we even purchase it, I research the company and what their product offers. So, basically, I ask a lot of questions and research it all. I’m passionate in wanting people to feel good all the time.

What have you learned about cannabis and its health impacts?

I think that one of the most important things for consumers to know that I have learned, is that THC has so many different components that work with the human body. Likewise, every “body” is different. Finding the right combination will vary person to person. For example, CBD is the component for healing. However, you need a percentage of THC to activate the CBD for its healing purposes. So, it is important when looking for what you need to ask a knowledgeable budtender. The CBD to THC Ratio will be different for everyone.

What were your qualifications for becoming a budtender?

I have had no previous experience in the cannabis retail industry, let alone bud tending, until Seaweed. I figured I needed to learn all aspects of the business. Being

What do you think of ongoing perceptions of “reefer madness?”

I think that the original ideology of “reefer madness” is very outdated in its nature. We have come so far in the education and research of cannabis and its many uses and healing

The Cannabis Lifestyle aspects. You can no longer assume smoking pot is going to ruin someone’s life or cause them to behave badly, spiraling them into a life of crime, as they had tried to do in the 1930s.

Is there a customer success story that you would like to share?

There are so many people we have helped who have walked through our doors. There are a lot of dispensaries in Lompoc. And Seaweed caters to the slightly older patients, who need some sort of pain or sleep relief. I have this regular who has been coming in now for a few weeks. She likes the Wyld Gummies that we offer with the 10:10 ratio CBD:THC. Her arthritis is really bad in her hands, and she told me today, as a matter of fact, that she noticeably sees the swelling in her knuckles going down. So, when those patients come back time and time again, know my name and continue to support us, those are the best success stories for me.

What’s the hardest part about being a budtender?

Taxes are the hardest part. Out the door prices are significantly higher across the board once taxes have been accounted for. This is an amazing industry, of all the jobs I’ve had, budtending is pretty smooth going.

Is it proper etiquette to tip a budtender like you’d tip a bartender?

Absolutely! We all like a little extra love. To me it’s knowing a customer was happy with my service.

Any product recommendations?

There are so many great products out there these days it’s hard to recommend just one thing. I love just about all of it. I am fortunate to be able to test the products as we get them in, and I think the one thing that has been my fan fave is the CStinctures and mouth sprays. Breez has a 1000mg mint spray that is perfect for that all-day, all around good feeling.

Amber Rivera is the Floor Manager at SeaWeed on Ocean, located at 1101 East Ocean Avenue in Lompoc. Visit seaweedononcean.com for more info. — CBTS Staff

Seaweed on Ocean, 1101 East Ocean Avenue in Lompoc

Courtesy Photo