This 90-minute masterclass gives retail teams the foundational cannabis knowledge required before Virginia adult-use market opens. Participants will learn how cannabinoids work, how to read Certificates of Analysis (COAs), how to spot non-compliant products, and how to guide customers safely and confidently. This training is built for hemp shops, wellness stores, wellness boutiques, future dispensaries, and anyone preparing to operate in a regulated market.
Why this matters:
When legalization arrrives, retailers will be held to higher standards. The stores with trained staff will win. The stores without training will struggle with compliance, customer safety, and state scrutiny.
Masterclass A —Retail Teams
By the end of this class, participants will be able to:
Explain the difference between hemp, marijuana, and cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG, CBN).
Identify how cannabinoids interact with the body (ECS 101).
Read a COA accurately — potency, contaminants, terpene profile, red flags.
Distinguish compliant vs. non-compliant products under Virginia law.
Guide customers safely based on cannabinoid ratios, product types, and risk factors.
Understand labeling requirements and what regulators look for in retail environments.
Improve customer trust, safety, and purchasing experience.