Cannabis Sommelier: Yes, it’s a real job!
Yes, cannabis sommeliers are a thing. In Canada, budding experts can obtain their certification through CannaReps, an educational organization co-founded by industry leaders Adolfo Gonzalez and Julie Domingo that offers the first and only cannabis sommelier certification in the country.
CannaReps caters to industry professionals and passionate connoisseurs alike, transforming participants into leading experts with every course, workshop and webinar. The team has more than 20 years of experience and crafted their curriculum with an eye towards busting stigmas and overcoming misinformation surrounding cannabis in today’s society.
Fuelled by a passion to educate consumers about the benefits of cannabis, enthusiasts from around the world travel to B.C. — home to some of the best cannabis in the world — to experience “B.C. bud” firsthand and learn from pioneers in the industry.
The certification process balances several theories, with successful sommeliers emerging with an understanding of the plant’s history, culture and science; they also undergo hands-on exercises to put their learnings to the test. Examples include visually identifying a kush from a haze, training the nose to sniff out key terpenes, and scratching the surface of the complex endocannabinoid system.
The certification rests on the premise that industry professionals should understand the factors that led to the cannabis we have today and distinguish quality cannabis from products that aren’t as efficacious.
“At CannaReps, we are dedicated to inspiring mindful cannabis appreciation through product knowledge, science and cultural understanding. In our quest to improve compassionate service and industry standards, we created the Cannabis Sommelier education program. As masters of product appreciation, certified Cannabis Sommeliers can provide effective and responsible cannabis guidance and engage with anyone on cannabinoid potency, terpene and flavour profiles, ancestry, production method and quality grading.” says Julie Domingo, CEO and Co-Founder of CannaReps.
With a flood of misinformation surrounding cannabis — largely due to prohibition — cannabis sommeliers can clarify misconceptions and properly categorize cannabis menus beyond “Indica” and “Sativa.”
They can also articulate aromatic descriptors and tasting notes associated with different cultivars, and are taught the compliant language to represent the industry in a safe and responsible way.
As new discoveries and research progresses, our understanding of cannabis on a daily basis, it’s hard to stay on top of the evolving research and knowledge. CannaReps is a trusted source to help industry and consumers set new standards for education, service and impact.
Kaya Arai, Nine Point Agency’s very own level two certified cannabis sommelier and senior associate, was interviewed by New Zealand news platform TVNZ’s Rethinking New Zealand on the process of becoming a certified cannabis sommelier. Watch below for her insights.
