Signage Verification
Confirm all required signs are posted, visible, and current. 28-B §509
Maine Budtender Reference
Budtender Training & Compliance Hub
Comprehensive frontline guide for Maine cannabis retail staff. Covers daily workflow, compliance, customer service, product knowledge, incident handling, and escalation protocols. Built for print, mobile, and shift handoff.
Pair these resources with the Retail Operations Playbook and METRC Budtender Training for statutory citations and escalation paths.
Daily Opening Checklist
Start every shift with these compliance-critical steps. Print for handoff.
ID Scanner Test
Verify ID scanning equipment and backup procedures are working. 28-B §504(4)
Product Updates
Review daily specials, new products, and educational materials.
Signage Verification
- • Confirm required state postings at entrances and point-of-sale. 28-B §509
- • Replace damaged or outdated signage from the Print Center binder.
- • Check for new OCP bulletins or rule changes.
- • Snap a photo for the shift log if anything is missing so management can replace it.
ID Scanner Test
- • Test ID scanner and backup manual log.
- • Confirm all staff know acceptable ID types. 28-B §504(4)
- • Review incident log for prior shift issues.
Product Updates
- • Review daily specials, new products, and educational materials.
- • Confirm all products are properly labeled and compliant. 28-B §701
- • Check for recalls or compliance alerts.
Compliance Duties
Non-negotiable checkpoints for every transaction. Miss one and the sale stops.
- Verify 21+ before engagement: Ask for ID prior to discussing product or ringing a sale. 28-B §504(4)(A)
- Acceptable ID only: Government-issued photo ID or options approved by rule; no expired documents. 28-B §504(4)(B)
- Total weight ≤ 2.5 oz: Combine flower, concentrates, infused products, and accessories that contain cannabis. 28-B §504(2)(B)
- Concentrate ≤ 10 g: Cartridges, dabs, oils, etc. share this cap, even if total weight is low. 28-B §1501(1)(B)
- Decline intoxicated customers: Stop the sale, document, notify leadership. 28-B §504(2)(D)
- Prohibited items: No mature plants, and no cannabis products combined with tobacco or alcohol. 28-B §504(2)(A)
- Human-operated only: No vending or unattended dispensing machines. 28-B §504(2)(C)(1)
Customer Interaction Scripts
Use these scripts for common scenarios. Keep responses short, cite the rule, and escalate as needed.
- ID check: “Hi! Before we get started, I’ll need to see a valid government-issued photo ID.” 28-B §504(4)
- Purchase limit explanation: “Maine law sets a maximum of 2.5 ounces total and 10 grams of concentrate per transaction. I’ll help you stay compliant.” 28-B §1501(1)(B)
- Declining a sale: “I’m sorry, I can’t complete this sale. If you have questions, my manager can explain the rules.” 28-B §504(2)(D)
- Product questions: “I can share product details, but I can’t make medical claims. For medical advice, please consult a healthcare professional.”
- Recalls or compliance alerts: “This product is currently under review. I’ll help you find a compliant alternative.”
Incident Handling & Escalation
Follow these steps for common incidents. Document and escalate per SOP.
- Failed ID scan: Log the incident, verify manually, and escalate to manager if unresolved. 28-B §504(4)
- Suspected diversion or theft: Document, notify manager, and report to OCP as required. 28-B §303
- Inventory discrepancy: Log, attempt reconciliation, escalate unresolved issues to manager and OCP. 28-B §105
- Customer dispute: Remain calm, cite the rule, and offer to escalate to management.
Product Knowledge
Stay current on product types, labeling, and compliance. Reference METRC and OCP guidance for details.
- Flower: Whole or ground cannabis plant material. 28-B §701
- Concentrate: Extracted cannabinoids (oils, dabs, cartridges). 28-B §701
- Edible: Infused food or beverage. 28-B §703(1)(F)
- Infused product: Non-edible products containing cannabis (topicals, tinctures). 28-B §701
- Labeling: License number, batch ID, net weight, potency, universal symbol, warnings. 28-B §701
Accessibility & Print Features
This guide is designed to work for everyone, whether you use a mouse, keyboard, screen reader, or need to print reference materials for the counter.
Using This Page with Assistive Technology
- Screen readers: Navigate by heading (H key) to jump between sections. All images have descriptive alt text.
- Keyboard navigation: Press Tab to move through links and buttons. Press Enter to activate. Use Shift+Tab to go back.
- Skip navigation: Press Tab when the page loads to access a "Skip to content" link that jumps past the header.
- High contrast: All text meets WCAG AA standards for readability against backgrounds.
- Focus indicators: A visible outline appears around interactive elements when you tab to them.
Printing This Guide
- Print-optimized layout: Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to generate a clean, readable copy.
- Navigation hidden: The header and navigation menu automatically hide when printing to save space.
- Clear sections: Each section starts on a clear break with proper spacing for easy reference.
- Save as PDF: Use "Save as PDF" in your print dialog to create a digital copy for tablets or phones.
ID Scanner Test
- • Power cycle scanners and clean camera lenses.
- • Run a test scan with a staff badge to ensure uploads sync to the log.
- • Stage manual log sheets in case of tech outages.
Product Updates
- • Review the promo board and any potency notes from intake.
- • Flag new SKUs that require education or packaging checks.
- • Share guest feedback from prior shifts to tighten recommendations.