Legalization has offered employment opportunities, particularly for young people. Visit any dispensary, and you will likely see a fresh-faced individual behind the counter who can answer any questions you may have about specific strains.
Smoke shops in the United States typically have an age requirement of 21 years. Some may even require a background check and vendor training to be hired. But how old do you have to be to work at a vape shop in your state?
Today, we will answer that question through this extensive article, while also breaking it down state by state. If you’re interested in working at a vape shop in your hometown, be sure to read until the end.
Federal vs. State Regulations
Before we answer the main question, we must first tackle the difference between federal and state regulations. Fortunately, it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Here’s the abridged exposition: Federal regulations are those enacted by the United States Congress that are essentially national laws. These regulations apply to the entire country and cover issues such as national security, interstate trade, and foreign affairs, to name a few.
Federal laws also include the Schedule I classification of marijuana (take note, marijuana is different from the federally legal hemp flower), in which the substance has been determined to have a “high potential for abuse” with “no accepted medical benefit” and carries “significant safety concerns.”
On the other hand, state regulations are laws that apply only within the jurisdiction of each state. The local governments in these regions also have “police powers” to enact their own rules to implement public health and safety. This is why the age requirements to work in a vape shop may vary between states, as you will see in the following sections. However, it’s also important to note that federal regulations reign supreme and will be followed in the event of a conflict with state laws.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at a Dispensary Per State?
Minimum Age to Work at a Vape Shop By State Plus Special Requirements
Now, let’s get into the meat of the matter. In this section, we will provide a state-by-state list of the minimum working age in vape shops. We will also include other special state requirements where they apply.
| State | Minimum Age to Work at a Vape Shop | Other Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 18 | As long as a 21-year-old is present. |
| Alaska | 21 | Must have no disqualifying felony offenses. |
| Arizona | 21 | |
| Arkansas | 21 | |
| California | 21 | Must have knowledge of vaping products and safety regulations. |
| Colorado | 21 | |
| Connecticut | 21 | Criminal background check and state badging required. |
| Delaware | 21 | |
| Florida | 18 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Georgia | 21 | |
| Hawaii | 21 | Must be knowledgeable about cannabis paraphernalia and culture. |
| Idaho | 18 | Must have a valid ID. |
| Illinois | 18 | Must have three references from non-family or friends. |
| Indiana | 21 | |
| Iowa | 18 | Must have three references from non-family or friends. |
| Kansas | 18 | |
| Kentucky | 21 | |
| Louisiana | 18 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Maine | 21 | must pass a criminal background check |
| Marylan | 21 | Must pass federal and state criminal history background checks. |
| Massachusetts | 21 | Must pass a comprehensive background check. |
| Michigan | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Minnesota | 21 | Must have a valid ID and vaping experience. |
| Mississippi | 21 | Must have a valid ID. |
| Missouri | 18 | |
| Montana | 18 | Must pass a criminal background check. |
| Nebraska | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Nevada | 21 | |
| New Hampshire | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| New Jersey | 21 | Must pass state and federal background checks. |
| New Mexico | 21 | |
| North Carolina | 21 | Must have a high school diploma or GED. |
| North Dakota | 18 | Must have a valid ID and a clean criminal record. |
| New York | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Ohio | 21 | Must pass a background check. |
| Oklahoma | 18 | |
| Oregon | 21 | Must pass a background check. |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| Rhode Island | 21 | Must pass a background check. |
| South Carolina | 21 | |
| South Dakota | 21 | Must have no disqualifying felony offenses. |
| Tennessee | 21 | |
| Texas | 18 | |
| Utah | 21 | Must have no felony convictions and pass a background check. |
| Vermont | 21 | Must pass a criminal background check. |
| Virginia | 21 | Must pass a background check. |
| Wyoming | 21 | |
| Wisconsin | 21 | Must have a high school diploma. |
| West Virginia | 21 | Must pass a criminal background check. |
| Washington State | 21 | Must have lived in Washington state for at least six months and passed a criminal background check. |
As you can see, each state can mandate its own age requirements, with some allowing applicants as young as 18 years old. However, the majority has a minimum age prerequisite of 21, which is also the legal drinking age in the United States.
Always check the specific rules in your home city or county to avoid potential troubles with the law. Keep in mind that state laws can change over time, and stores may impose additional requirements beyond those listed here.
Tips for Getting Hired at a Vape Shop
Working at a vape shop can be appealing for those who enjoy consuming cannabis through this method. While this job offers modest pay, it can give vape lovers a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.
So, if this is what you see yourself doing for the foreseeable future, here are tips to help you boost your chances of getting hired:
1. Be of legal age.
While some states may hire 18-year-olds, that may change in the future. To be safe, wait until you’re 21 before applying.
2. Know the local regulations.
This one goes without saying, but we could all use the occasional reminder. Similar to age requirements, local laws may vary depending on your location. Knowing them shows responsibility on your part, which is always commendable.
3. Have the necessary experience.
Here’s another obvious requirement. If you’re working in physical vape shops, you’ll need to exude solid product knowledge and a helpful attitude to guide customers effectively. These things come second-nature, just like if you’re applying for a sales job, you must demonstrate a personable, charming demeanor to deal with customers. If you’re working in delivery, make sure you have a driver’s license or are at least qualified to apply for one.
4. Familiarize yourself with vaping products.
In this day and age of legalization, you will find numerous varieties of vape devices with differing features, each one being more intricate than the other. While it isn’t a requirement in many shops, having enough knowledge gives you an edge.
5. Familiarize yourself with the company.
This includes knowing their specific products, their target audience, and what the brand represents. Including this in your research efforts gives the hiring manager the impression that you are taking the job seriously, even before they hire you.
6. Be willing to learn.
Most vape shops are open to hiring candidates with enough enthusiasm and willingness to learn, despite their lack of experience. Having this trait would be a significant asset on your part and could increase your chances of getting hired.
Conclusion
The age requirements to work in a vape shop will vary from state to state. You can be as young as 18 to get hired, but for the most part, these establishments require applicants to be at least 21 years of age.
Background checks and high school diplomas are also requirements. But most importantly, you must demonstrate that you are trainable enough to be considered a viable candidate, at the very least.
Hopefully, this article provided sufficient information for you if you’re looking to work at a vape shop. But in any case, you can always keep it bookmarked for future reference.
FAQs
Here are some more lingering questions that people may have about working in a vape shop, which we will provide some answers to.
