Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 Certification
Professional Cannabis Education that Sparks Confidence
Guide yourself and others effectively and responsibly
Become empowered with powerful product recommendation skills for the people you want to help
Online Certification now 25% off until Jan 8, 2022 - only $260!
Cannabis Sommelier Certification
Trusted by over 200 Cannabis Companies Around the World
Canada’s 1st and ONLY Cannabis Sommelier Certification.
Recognized by the industry. Made for professionals and passionate connoisseurs.
Credible education you can rely on
- It’s hard to stay on top of all the evolving cannabis research and knowledge. We dispel any misconceptions and make it clear for you to understand cannabis wherever you are in your educational journey.
- Our advanced education goes beyond “common knowledge” and trains you on PRACTICAL SKILLS so you can demonstrate expert product knowledge and help people effectively and responsibly.
Interactive education provided by industry experts
- Do you find reading long articles and attending lectures boring? Traditional instruction doesn’t work, especially with cannabis lovers. We connect real cannabis products with fun and interactive activities for an enjoyable educational experience.
- With 20+ years of experience pioneering the industry as award winning retailers, growers, product makers, and researchers, the CannaReps team combines insights from science, product knowledge, art, culture, and the consumer experience.
Study Hall Sessions to connect and stay up-to-date
- Have you faced stigmas and judgements in your cannabis journey? Join our community of passionate industry professionals and consumers to share insights, and connect.
- You’ll get the latest updates on the hottest products and the most groundbreaking cannabis science.
- Trusted by over 200 cannabis organizations around the world.
Featured In
A trained and knowledgeable cannabis guide that has mastered product appreciation and best practices.
Certified Cannabis Sommeliers will:
- Have the ability to transform people’s lives, by providing effective product guidance. They know how to engage with anyone on cannabinoid potency, terpene profiles, ancestry, and production method
- Show appreciation to the plant by identifying its lineage and grade its quality
- Tell the story about each cannabis product and articulate aromatic and tasting notes
- Work to remove the stigma associated with cannabis by conducting ourselves in a professional manner, and staying up to date with cannabis science.
Our Cannabis Sommeliers LOVE our tools and techniques,
and positively impacting lives every day
“Novice, intermediate or expert—regardless of your cannabis knowledge, CannaReps will educate you, engage you, and leave you feeling excited and better informed for you part in the industry. Inspirational speakers, hands-on learning, and a course unlike any other!”
Without a doubt, I would certainly recommend the CannaReps course. I couldn’t possibly speak poorly of it because there’s nothing that does what CannaReps does. There’s a lot of courses based on the legal market, based on how to interpret the laws in Canada—and teaching Basic Cannabis 101, there’s lots of that, too. But when it comes to an in-depth, fact-based, proven level of knowledge that’s provided by people who’ve specified in cannabis for a very long time, there’s nothing like CannaReps.
West Coast Cannabis Store/
Hierarchy Brands
Professionally, I’ve been able to better understand what the patients need and guide them towards a higher quality product and a product that will match their preferences, as well. What our patients appreciate is they see that I understand what I’m talking about, where a lot of the doctors they consult with are not comfortable guiding them through this journey.
Concord Medical Centre
The Cannabis Sommelier course features that I love the most would definitely have to be the high-quality materials, and the practicality and hands-on components of the course that supports those materials.
For anyone looking to take the Cannabis Sommelier course, I would tell them that to be a competent and confident cannabis consultant, cannabis sommelier, or just a passionate connoisseur, this is an absolute must.
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Level 1 In-Person Certification
- One 8-hour day of in-person learning with live lectures, sensory training, and your certification exam
- Plus Study Hall sessions and online resources
Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 Certification Class
New 2022 Sessions!
Edmonton – May 28, 10am-6pm
Vancouver – June 11, 10am-6pm
Toronto – July 23, 10am-6pm
Vancouver – August 6, 10am-6pm
The learning experience you’ve been waiting for.
- 8 hours of live training sessions with lectures, hands-on sensory training and the Level 1 Certification exam
- Cannabis Sommelier Toolkit (yours to keep, shipped or provided during class)
- Fun & interactive hands-on activities with a focus on sensory skill development
- Cannabis Sommelier Student Workbook and curated resources
- Lifetime Access to your Level 1 online resources—available on desktop, iOS and Android mobile devices with an internet connection
- Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 Certificate of Completion
PLUS live online Study Hall sessions every week with our instructors and community!
Training 6 people or more?
Team training options are available in-person or online with live Study Hall access.
Email trainmyteam@cannareps.ca for more information.
19+ only. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Level 1 Online Certification
Register anytime, learn at your own pace, complete your exam when you’re ready.
Your course access never expires.
PLUS online Study Hall sessions every week!
Online Certification now 25% off until Jan 8, 2022 - only $260!
For Individuals
(single registration)
Self-guided, interactive online learning
Go at your own pace: certify yourself in 1 day, over a weekend, or take as long as you like!
What you get in the program:
- 8+ hours of engaging videos and demonstrations
- Cannabis Sommelier Toolkit ($89 value) shipped to you
- Fun & interactive hands-on activities with focus on sensory skill development
- Cannabis Sommelier Student Workbook (digital) and curated resources
- Lifetime Level 1 online course access—available on desktop, iOS and Android mobile devices with an internet connection
- Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 Certificate of Completion
PLUS live Study Hall sessions every week with our instructors and community!
Team Training
(6+ students)
Easy employee onboarding as you grow
Lock in your team pricing now so it never increases!
Empower each team member with the most up-to-date cannabis knowledge as you grow. Deliver a consistent and confident experience that your customers can count on.
Establish a company culture of product knowledge, science, and cultural awareness that builds your organization. Quickly and conveniently onboard new members as your team grows.
- Once you lock-in your team rate, your price never increases!
- Start by purchasing 6 or more registrations
- Easy online payment options by credit card or e-transfer, or request an invoice at checkout!
- We’ll ship you your Toolkits and setup your Team Administrator user
- Easily enroll each team member online whenever they’re ready to start
Industry professionals benefit greatly in our Study Hall sessions where we discuss the latest science and products on the market with other students and alumni.
Private Custom Webinar
(up to 20 students)
Certify your entire team in 1 day!
The preferred team-building and employee onboarding training experience where we customize the content to your company’s needs.
Your entire team can learn all at once, and ask instructors live questions throughout the day.
- LIVE private & customized 8-hour interactive webinar
- Cannabis Sommelier Kits for your entire team
- Follow along with our Cannabis Sommelier Student Workbook and curated resources
- Includes lifetime access to online resources
- 1-day live certification for your entire team or customized live learning sessions plus optional online certification. We have options to fit your team!
Private customized sessions and industry expert insights for your entire team.
Ready to customize your private webinar?
Learn anywhere, anytime.
Plus, join us in our LIVE Study Hall sessions.
Our innovative Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 is now a course you can now take online.
Plus, you’ll get exclusive live Study Hall sessions with our community of Cannabis Sommeliers!
What you'll get in the Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 core certification program:
- 8+ hours of engaging videos and demonstrations
- Cannabis Sommelier Toolkit ($89 value) shipped to you—free shipping within Canada & US
- Fun & interactive hands-on activities with focus on sensory skill development—cannabis skills you'll use every day!
- Cannabis Sommelier Student Workbook PDF and curated resources—all the research you need to truly understand cannabis.
- Lifetime access to your Level 1 online course content—available on desktop, iOS and Android mobile devices with an internet connection
- Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 Certificate of Completion
Plus, we've added weekly live Study Hall sessions with our instructors.
- Join a community of professionals and enthusiasts and converse about cannabis at an informed level
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Get expert insights, cannabis product reviews, and exclusive bonus content
- Learn the latest updates on cannabis science, cannabinoids, terpenes, genetics, cultivation—Adolfo's live feed to students every week!
For the best learning experience, we recommend you acquire your own cannabis to use as learning samples with the toolkit and digital resources we provide. A list of recommended cultivars will be provided to you after you complete your enrolment.
Not able to obtain cannabis? Don’t sweat it. You can still learn with our videos and Study Hall sessions. Just like a cooking show, you don’t need all the ingredients on hand to learn how to cook a dish.
What you’ll learn
Cannabis Sommelier
Level 1 Certification Program
Cannabis Ancestry, History & Culture
Learn how to give appreciation and respect to the ancestry, history and culture of cannabis from around the world.
Botany & Biochemical Constituents
Break down the various cannabinoids and chemicals that the plant can produce.
Extractions
Learn the solvent-free and solvent-based extraction methods and the potency ranges of each product type.
Consumption Methods
Learn to provide safe guidance with each consumption method.
The Endocannabinoid System
Learn about the endocannabinoid system and entourage effect. Gain an understanding of why cannabis effects people differently and the medical contraindications for cannabis use.
Quality Assessment
Learn how to distinguish between low, medium, and high-quality cannabis. Identify potential issues with bud contamination and problematic bud.
Best Practices for Providing Guidance
Learn the compliant language and approach to guide cannabis consumers safely and effectively.
This course is for you if...
- You're passionate about cannabis
- You want to deepen your knowledge and DO something to HELP people in their cannabis journey
- You want clarity for your own personal consumption
- You desire to or currently work in the cannabis industry and move the industry forward
- You're humble to know what you know today might be outdated or not true and be willing to receive new information
- You are skeptical and believe that cannabis does NOT improve lives
- You are under the legal age in your province or state
- You believe that cannabis is reserved for “stoners” and should be criminalized and illegal
Meet Your Instructors
Adolfo Gonzalez C., Headmaster
The master educator of the CannaReps crew, Adolfo brings 20+ years of experience as a grower, community organizer, researcher, and consultant in the cannabis industry. Whether you’re an eager student or an industry veteran, Adolfo inspires people to adopt the ‘eternal learner’ mindset when it comes to cannabis because he believes that it can change lives and help communities heal when we treat the plant and its users with respect and understanding. Adolfo’s advocacy for dispensaries, clients, and deeper research in cannabis often see him at the head of the room, presenting his research and moving public policy forward.
Julie Domingo, CEO
Julie provides exemplary cannabis education and helps cannabis companies deliver the ultimate customer experience. Breaking barriers comes naturally to Julie, as the first Canadian female Apple Expert trainer, and the pioneer that obtained the first cannabis compassion club business license in Canada, while winning Lift industry awards 3 years in a row. As one of the rare women of colour CEO’s in the industry, Julie is humbly committed to removing stigmas, building community, and increasing industry standards for high-quality products and compassionate service.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re a beginner who’s curious about the budding industry, a current industry professional who’s looking to brush up on cannabis product knowledge, or an entrepreneur looking to expand their knowledge—this course is the right answer for you! We give you solid, proven, evidence-based data that is as up-to-date as possible so you leave the class with all the top information.
The Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 program is great for beginners as the content provides critical and foundational concepts to understanding cannabis. We have had many cannabis “newbies” take the course and by the end, they feel empowered and confident in their cannabis knowledge. As this is a comprehensive program, you don’t need to do any additional reading or study prior to the program. A list of recommended articles, publications, and books to further your knowledge is provided in our references section.
Our Cannabis Sommelier courses were originally developed for in-person learning in a classroom setting where learners can study cultivars hands-on. We’ve developed the online course to deliver the same hands-on experience with skill-building activities and more!
This new delivery format gives us three advantages:
- A lower price point!
In-person, Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 is normally $499 (plus travel expenses for out-of-town learners). We’re now able to offer the online course for just $347 CAD! Tuition is subject to change. - The convenience of learning at your own pace!
The program is now self-guided so you can pause, review a section, or take a break as life demands without losing access. We welcome all types of learners and are even more easily available to clarify concepts and answer questions. Your online course and exam never expire. - Learn online from anywhere!
The course content is accessible anytime from your computer or mobile device, as long as you have an internet connection. So many of you have asked us to come to your city or country—now we can learn in the comfort of your own home! - Study Hall sessions!
We’ve never been able to offer this to students before. Your online certification includes a bonus of 6 months (currently extended during the pandemic) of Study Hall sessions with Headmaster Adolfo. We also make these videos available for playback in case you miss them.
This is a hybrid of an online course and live training. The core content is offered on our website where you get a combination of videos, hands-on activities, quizzes, and reference hand-outs.
The live component is our weekly Study Hall sessions which are a new feature to our alumni community. The fun and relaxed sessions are where you get to the latest updates on all things cannabis—directly from our instructors. Ask all your questions, connect with other learners, and stay up-to-date on the latest cannabis products and science. Not only does Adolfo deliver extra bonus content every session, but this is also a great networking opportunity for those interested in the cannabis industry!
- Not able to obtain cannabis? Don’t sweat it. You can still learn all the core content by watching our videos and attending the Study Hall sessions. Just like a cooking show, you don’t need all the ingredients on-hand to learn how to cook a dish!
Yes, this course is available internationally, and we already have students across the USA and around the world. (If our checkout doesn’t ship to your country, send us an email!)
One of the hurdles that you may encounter is your ability to access cannabis depending on the laws applicable to your state or country. However, you don’t need to have cannabis on hand to enjoy the program, as you can still learn by watching us complete the demonstrations. Regardless of your ability to access cannabis, we send you a Cannabis Sommelier Kit. (The kit does not contain any cannabis)
Bulk registrations for Cannabis Sommelier Level 1 can be purchased in quantities of 6 or more at $297 CAD. You’ll be sent unique codes to enrol each team member now or in the future as your team grows. Contact us at trainmyteam@cannareps.ca for more information.
This is a self-paced course, with a total of 8-10 hours of instructional lessons. All the topics are broken down into mini-lessons so you can stop for a break after each lesson or activity. The best experience is to take the course in sequence as the course is designed in a building block style where each lesson is a foundation for the next. The last lesson ties in all the learning provided in previous sections.
We believe so strongly in our courses that you will gain knowledge and confidence about cannabis for your own consumption and guidance for others. If you feel that you are unsatisfied with the course content and that it did not add value to your understanding of cannabis, please contact us within 30 days and we will give you a refund minus the cost and shipping of the Cannabis Sommelier kit (valued at $89) as you get to keep it.
We are considering offering parts of Level 2 content online such as the lectures and theories in the near future so please stay tuned. The interactive and sensory development components are impossible to conduct online as there is a large component of smelling and handling products—many of which are difficult to find on the market. There are also regulatory restrictions preventing us from shipping out cannabis products and we must adhere to them.
Level 2 is a very fun and interactive experience, where it is worth meeting and learning with other cannabis community members. The activities we have designed include group work and the discussions among the students are very valuable to cement your learning. We hope to be able to host Level 2 sessions in select cities across Canada this fall.
Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for course date announcements.
Age verification required to ensure students are of legal age to access Cannabis.
18+ in Alberta, 21+ in Quebec, 19+ in all other Canadian provinces, 21+ in the USA.
