A Budtender’s Guide to Cannabis with Tessa Dattillo

About this episode

Dr. Riley Kirk and Tessa Dattilo discuss the role of budtenders in cannabis education and consumer experiences.

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Tessa Dattilo to the Bioactive Podcast to break down what it really means to be a budtender and how cannabis education translates to real-world consumer experiences. With nearly a decade in the cannabis industry, Tessa shares insights from the frontlines—helping patients and customers navigate products, understand cannabinoids and terpenes, and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex market. They explore the science behind how different cannabis products affect the body, including why edibles feel different from inhaled cannabis, how tolerance develops, and why product quality and sourcing matter. The conversation dives into red flags consumers should watch for when selecting products, from over-marketed “themed” items to inconsistencies in labeling and formulation. They also discuss the role of budtenders as educators, the gaps in industry training, and how consumers can advocate for themselves inside dispensaries. Additionally, they examine differences in state regulations, product availability, and how legislation shapes what ends up on dispensary shelves. Tessa shares practical advice for aspiring budtenders, key foundational knowledge to…

People in this episode

Host: Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.

Guest: Tessa Dattilo

Topics covered

• cannabis education
• budtenders
• consumer experiences
• cannabinoids
• terpenes
• product quality
• industry training

Keywords

• cannabis
• budtender
• cannabinoids
• terpenes
• edibles
• product quality
• consumer advocacy
• state regulations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bioactive Podcast

Products: cannabis, edibles, inhaled cannabis, craft cannabis, large-scale cannabis brands

Places: state regulations

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