May 21, 2026
Randy Rowe built Grow Up Conference and Expo from the ground up, and it shows. What started as a grower-focused event has become Canada's largest cannabis industry conference, the kind of room where budtenders, brands, retailers, and licensed producers all end up in the same conversation. This year's Toronto show runs June 1 to 3, 2026...
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May 21, 2026
The best part of Kris Middleton's day is when a customer comes back. Not to browse. To report in. To share that the recommendation worked, that it was exactly what they needed. For Kris, a budtender at Little Leaf in Stratford, those moments are the whole point...
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April 17, 2026
Ontario's independent cannabis retailers are navigating one of the most competitive retail environments in the country. Margin compression, inventory challenges, and the constant pressure to differentiate is a lot to manage, especially without the infrastructure that larger chains take for granted. That's why organizations like the Independent Retail Cannabis Collective (IRC Collective) matter..
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April 16, 2026
Some budtenders clock in. Others show up. Then there are the rare ones who make every customer feel like the shop was built just for them. David Nganga is that kind of budtender. A certified CannSell graduate working at Fire & Flower, David earned five nominations from peers and customers who clearly felt something worth saying out loud. It's not hard to understand why once you read what he has to say...
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March 10, 2026
From budtender to assistant manager, Michelle knows what’s up! Trust her when she tells you that, when it comes to cannabis, everybody and every BODY is different. What works for you may not work for everybody else. Let’s learn a little more about what lights Michelle’s fire, her passions, and visions for the future...
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January 20, 2026
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, the cannabis industry offers an array of exciting career opportunities. To level the playing field, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to jumpstart your cannabis career. There’s never been a better time to pursue your passions, so don’t delay, get started today...
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January 16, 2026
Kyle is by far one of the most passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic budtenders that we’ve ever encountered. We were so impressed by the ways he cultivates trust and respect in his community. Frankly, we are obsessed with his desire to bring passion, interest, and excitement to each sale, while introducing the “magic of cannabis” to new consumers...
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December 8, 2025
Natasha is a true success story. She started in the legacy industry, transitioned to being a legal budtender, and has successfully climbed the ranks into a managerial position. When Natasha was nominated for this award, she was still a budtender. We're so proud and excited for Natasha, and we believe many others can follow in her footsteps...
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November 12, 2025
Paulo exemplifies what it means to be a cannabis professional — knowledgeable, approachable, and deeply passionate about helping customers feel confident in their choices. Whether he’s guiding someone to the right product or mentoring teammates, Paulo’s dedication to education and empathy makes him a standout in Ontario’s cannabis retail community...
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SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
From her very first days in customer service, Joanne has always believed in making people feel welcome, heard, and valued. That philosophy carried over seamlessly into cannabis retail.“Working in cannabis really gives you that same opportunity. They want fresh. They want something tasty, and they...
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JULY 23, 2025
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, one thing remains consistent: there are always opportunities for ambitious budtenders to move up the ladder. Whether you’re dreaming of a C-suite position, want to flex your marketing chops, or even start your own brand, networking can make all the difference...
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JUNE 23, 2025
The CannSell team had a blast chatting with budtenders, retailers and other industry professionals at this year’s Grow Up Conference and Expo. Not only were we impressed with your cannabis trivia skills, but we loved hearing about what sparks your passion and what inspires you. You spoke and we listened. We put together...
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