How to become a GANJIER

In every industry, there are trained and certified experts that can distinguish the qualities of their respective products, and in the cannabis industry, those experts are known as the “Ganjier.”

For those who have visited a dispensary, the term “budtender” is likely a familiar one, as they are the liaison between a customer and cannabis. While budtenders are assumed to have a great deal of knowledge with the products they are selling, their training and experience may differ from one person to another. To fill that gap in expertise is the Ganjier (Forbes).

“Similar to the sommelier’s role in the wine industry, the Ganjier is trained in the art, science and appreciation of cannabis craft, consumption and connoisseurship, possessing a multidisciplinary knowledge and astute professionalism serving to raise the standard of excellence throughout the cannabis industry,” stated the Ganjier’s official website.

It went on to say, “The Ganjier is educated in the history, science, genetics, cultivation, processing and consumption of cannabis. Additionally, the Ganjier is trained in the systematic what’s best for them (Ganjier).

To become a Ganjier, there is a three-step journey to certification. Step one is the online courses which consists of 10 online video courses and assessment and grading of the quality of cannabis and cannabis products. Most critically, the Ganjier is a trusted and reliable guide for the cannabis consumer.”

To be a Ganjier, you must be over the age of 18. Currently, the cannabis industry is in “dire need” of these professionals to assist consumers in finding

31 individual lessons – led by 18 experts from the Ganjier Council – covering topics from cultivation to consumption methods. This step can be taken individually as a stand-alone module, with the other two training and exam components completed later through the “Complete My Journey” program.

The second step to certification is the live training, which is hands-on, in-person instruction from preeminent experts on the Ganjier Council. “This immersive sommelier-style instruction in the art of cannabis assessment takes place at our stunning 243-acre wilderness campus in the storied Emerald Triangle of Northern California,” Ganjier explains.

The third and final step is in-person exams. Students are graded on their knowledge, service and assessment ingenuity through written exams, in-person scenarios and quality evaluation trials.

According to the Ganjier website, a Ganjier is trained to be a trusted guide for the cannabis consumer, perform critical discernment of cannabis quality by understanding the finer points, nuances and complexities of the cannabis plant, from terpenes to terroir and more.

The Ganjier Council is led by “the cannabis industry’s most respected and brilliant minds spanning six decades of experience and disciplines, from cultivation to concentrates, chemistry to commerce,” (Ganjier).

The council was established to guide, validate and back the accuracy, validity and difficulty of the Ganjier Certification Program. Collectively, the council has contributed over 8,000 hours in two years, to create the certification program.

Ganjier Certification Program Managing Director Derek Gilman shared that certified Ganjiers can serve a “vital role in the quickly growing world of legal marijuana,” (Forbes).

He noted that until the Ganjier program launched, there were no such experts that existed in cannabis.

“The Ganjier is equal parts cannabis aficionado and interpretive liaison – schooled in intricacies like taste terpenes and finish – serving as a conduit between cannabis and consumer, navigating its complexities and optimizing user experience,” Gilman said.

For those interested in taking the course this summer or to learn more about the Ganjier program, visit ganjier.com.

References https://www.ganjier.com/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2022/03/03/how-to-become-a-ganjier-the-sommelier-of-cannabis/?sh=308760114f11