INTRO — THE TRAINING STARTS WITH THE TRUTH
Before you can train your employees to sell new alternative products…
Before you can teach them Blue Lotus, Mushrooms, Kratom, Glass, and Accessories…
Before you can run scripts, roleplay, or teach them how to guide customers…
Before you can teach them Blue Lotus, Mushrooms, Kratom, Glass, and Accessories…
Before you can run scripts, roleplay, or teach them how to guide customers…
You MUST get everyone on the same page about what is actually happening in the industry.
Because here’s the truth most shop owners don’t want to admit:
Your employees have NO idea how to talk about the hemp ban.
They’re nervous.
They’re confused.
They’re hearing rumors.
They’re telling customers the wrong thing.
They’re giving emotional answers instead of educated ones.
They’re guessing.
And worst of all…
They’re accidentally scaring customers away from your store.
They’re confused.
They’re hearing rumors.
They’re telling customers the wrong thing.
They’re giving emotional answers instead of educated ones.
They’re guessing.
And worst of all…
They’re accidentally scaring customers away from your store.
This is why Step 1 is mandatory.
If you do not teach your staff the NEW story —
the one that builds customer confidence —
your store will look chaotic, scared, and unstable.
the one that builds customer confidence —
your store will look chaotic, scared, and unstable.
Customers follow confidence.
Customers stay where the staff KNOWS what’s going on.
Customers trust stores that have a CLEAR plan.
Customers stay where the staff KNOWS what’s going on.
Customers trust stores that have a CLEAR plan.
Today, we build that plan.
This is Step 1 of your 10-step training manual.
Let’s go.
SECTION 1: WHY EMPLOYEES NEED THE REAL STORY NOW
Your employees are the front-line voices of your business.
They talk to customers more than YOU do.
They answer the hard questions.
They get the shock reactions.
They hear the rumors.
They listen to every bit of community gossip.
They talk to customers more than YOU do.
They answer the hard questions.
They get the shock reactions.
They hear the rumors.
They listen to every bit of community gossip.
And right now, here’s what many of them are doing:
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mumbling “I don’t know what’s going to happen”
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whispering “I heard everything’s getting banned”
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telling customers “We’re not sure if we’ll still carry that”
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shrugging their shoulders like it’s out of your hands
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speaking fear into the customer instead of stability
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lying or guessing because they don’t want to look uninformed
And when employees talk like that?
Customers disappear BEFORE the laws even change.
You MUST train employees to speak stability.
You MUST give them a script.
You MUST give them the story you want customers to hear.
You MUST make them confident enough to handle questions.
You MUST give them a script.
You MUST give them the story you want customers to hear.
You MUST make them confident enough to handle questions.
Customers don’t follow products.
They follow leadership.
They follow leadership.
This is where that leadership starts.
SECTION 2: WHAT EMPLOYEES NEED TO UNDERSTAND (CLEAR, SIMPLE, AND FACTUAL)
Your team does NOT need every legal detail.
They do NOT need policy speeches.
They do NOT need to read bills or watch news.
They do NOT need policy speeches.
They do NOT need to read bills or watch news.
They need ONE thing:
A simple explanation they can repeat to customers confidently, every single time.
Here’s EXACTLY what you teach them in Step 1:
⭐ THE EMPLOYEE REALITY EXPLANATION (TRAIN THEM TO MEMORIZE THIS)
“The laws around intoxicating hemp are changing, but we’re already transitioning into new legal categories that customers are loving.
We’re not going anywhere — and we’re preparing early so you’ll always have dependable options.”
That’s it.
That’s the foundation.
That’s the foundation.
Short.
Calm.
Confident.
Future-focused.
Positive.
Calm.
Confident.
Future-focused.
Positive.
Every word is designed to:
✔ calm nervous customers
✔ position your shop as proactive
✔ show leadership
✔ keep customers coming back
✔ prevent panic
✔ prevent confusion
✔ position the NEW categories as a good thing
✔ reassure the customer that YOU AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
✔ position your shop as proactive
✔ show leadership
✔ keep customers coming back
✔ prevent panic
✔ prevent confusion
✔ position the NEW categories as a good thing
✔ reassure the customer that YOU AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
Employees who speak like this create trust.
Employees who speak fear lose customers.
Employees who speak fear lose customers.
SECTION 3: WHAT EMPLOYEES MUST NEVER SAY
Your team will default to fear if you don’t train them.
Employees LOVE to share rumors — especially dramatic ones.
Employees LOVE to share rumors — especially dramatic ones.
You need to STOP that instantly.
Here are phrases your staff must NEVER say again:
❌ “Yeah everything’s getting banned.”
This destroys revenue and creates panic.
❌ “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
This makes your shop look unstable.
❌ “We might not carry that anymore.”
Customers will immediately find another store.
❌ “It sucks, the industry is collapsing.”
If they say this, you lose customers for months.
❌ “We can’t do anything about it.”
This makes your business look powerless.
❌ “We’re just waiting to see what happens.”
Waiting = dying in retail.
❌ “Yeah, everything is changing, it’s scary.”
You just became the worst place for customers looking for stability.
Your employees MUST stop feeding uncertainty.
The reality is simple:
The industry is shifting, not ending.
And your store is adapting, not dying.
And your store is adapting, not dying.
They MUST speak that way.
SECTION 4: THE NEW CORE MESSAGE YOUR STAFF MUST OWN
This is the heart of Step 1.
Every employee should internalize this message:
⭐ THE NEW STORE MESSAGE
“Our shop has already transitioned into legal, high-demand alternatives like Blue Lotus, functional mushrooms, botanicals, kratom, glass, and accessories.
We’re prepared, we’re stable, and we have everything you need.”
If your employees say THIS with confidence…
Your customers will stay loyal
Your store will feel stable
Your new product lines will sell faster
Your team will feel in control
And YOU will look like the leader they trust
Your store will feel stable
Your new product lines will sell faster
Your team will feel in control
And YOU will look like the leader they trust
This is your new identity.
SECTION 5: SCRIPTS FOR EMPLOYEES TO USE WITH CUSTOMERS
Let’s train them right now.
Below are the exact scripts your team needs to memorize.
⭐ SCRIPT #1 — “The Transition Script”
Use when customers ask what’s happening with hemp:
“The laws are changing, but we’ve already brought in new legal alternatives people are loving — like Lotus, mushrooms, and botanicals.
You’ll always have options here.”
⭐ SCRIPT #2 — “The Reassurance Script”
Use when customers sound nervous:
“No worries — we’re fully prepared. We’ve already shifted into new categories that are legal, safe, and super popular. We’re not going anywhere.”
⭐ SCRIPT #3 — “The Shift Script”
Use when customers ask for Delta products:
“If you liked hemp for relaxation or clarity, let me show you our new alternatives — they’re legal and people are switching to them every day.”
⭐ SCRIPT #4 — “Confidence Builder Script”
Use to strengthen customer trust:
“We prepared early so you never lose your routine. We’ve got you covered.”
⭐ SCRIPT #5 — “Curiosity Script”
Use when introducing new categories:
“Want to see what’s been trending lately? Customers are loving these.”
SECTION 6: EMPLOYEE TALKING POINTS (KEEP THEM ON MESSAGE)
Your staff must have simple talking points they can repeat confidently:
✔ “We’re prepared.”
✔ “We’ve already transitioned.”
✔ “We have legal alternatives.”
✔ “We’re not going anywhere.”
✔ “Customers love the new categories.”
✔ “We’ve got options that fit what you’re looking for.”
These points build trust instantly.
SECTION 7: ROLEPLAY EXERCISES FOR YOU TO RUN WITH EMPLOYEES
End every shift with 3 minutes of roleplay.
You play the customer.
They practice the scripts.
They practice the scripts.
Here are three roleplay scenarios:
Scenario 1 — Nervous Customer
Customer: “Are y’all still gonna have hemp products next month?”
Employee must respond with the Reassurance Script.
Employee must respond with the Reassurance Script.
Scenario 2 — Angry Customer
Customer: “Why is everything being banned?”
Employee must respond with calm clarity and pivot to alternatives.
Employee must respond with calm clarity and pivot to alternatives.
Scenario 3 — Confused Customer
Customer: “So what do you guys have now?”
Employee must confidently introduce the new product categories.
Employee must confidently introduce the new product categories.
SECTION 8: HOW TO CHECK IF EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THE NEW REALITY
Ask them these questions:
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“Explain the transition to me in 20 seconds.”
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“What do you say when a customer asks about hemp?”
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“What are we shifting into?”
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“What do you tell a customer who’s nervous?”
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“What NEVER leaves your mouth?”
If they can’t answer confidently — retrain them.
SECTION 9: HOW TO KEEP STAFF CONFIDENT DURING THE TRANSITION
Confidence comes from clarity.
Clarity comes from repetition.
Repetition comes from YOU training them.
Clarity comes from repetition.
Repetition comes from YOU training them.
Use these weekly routines:
✔ 2-minute morning briefing
✔ Daily script practice
✔ End-of-shift recap
✔ Weekly category review
✔ “Confidence reminders” posted in the break room
Employees must feel like the store has a plan.
Because you do.
Because you do.
SECTION 10: THE GOAL OF STEP 1
By the end of this blog, your employees should:
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understand what’s happening in the industry
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NOT speak fear
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NOT guess
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NOT spread rumors
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use the correct transition scripts
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speak confidently
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guide customers calmly
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focus on alternatives
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protect the store’s reputation
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keep customers loyal
This step transforms your staff from confused clerks into confident communicators.
CONCLUSION — THIS IS WHERE THE REAL TRAINING BEGINS
This is just Step 1 of the 10-step manual —
but it’s arguably the most important step.
but it’s arguably the most important step.
Because if your employees don’t understand the new story,
everything else you teach them will fall apart.
everything else you teach them will fall apart.
But once they speak with confidence?
Everything else becomes easier:
Everything else becomes easier:
Teaching Lotus.
Teaching Mushrooms.
Teaching Kratom.
Teaching Glass.
Teaching Accessories.
Selling alternatives.
Handling objections.
Building loyalty.
Raising ticket sizes.
Keeping the business alive.
Teaching Mushrooms.
Teaching Kratom.
Teaching Glass.
Teaching Accessories.
Selling alternatives.
Handling objections.
Building loyalty.
Raising ticket sizes.
Keeping the business alive.
Step 1 builds the foundation.
Step 2 builds the knowledge
Step 2 builds the knowledge