CLEVELAND — A ganjier, much like a sommelier in the wine industry, is a connoisseur of the cannabis industry trained in the history, science and appreciation of the plant and its consumption.

To become certified, a person must go through rigorous training and assessments. 

Only about 300 ganjiers have been certified across the globe so far, and three of them are in Ohio. 

Zach Simcoe, the first certified ganjier in the state, said he suffers from a seizure disorder, but hasn’t had an episode since he started using cannabis. 

“In more ways than one, the plant has taken care of me and healed me and helped me,” Simcoe said. “So, I find it really obligatory to help people bring it to its full potential.”

Simcoe has worked in the cannabis industry as long as he could and does a few other jobs to stay afloat. 

When he learned about the ganjier certification program, he knew it was worth the investment for him. 

“Anyone can say that they know what good cannabis looks like or they know what great cannabis products look like,” he said. “But to be able to say, ‘No, I’m a sommelier,’ I actually can ascertain the difference between, not just quality from a subjective standpoint, but things that are irrefutable in terms of quality.”

To become a certified ganjier, you must enroll in a program with a rigorous curriculum developed by some of the most respected experts in the cannabis industry.

The training covers everything from the history and science of cannabis to accurately identifying terpenes, naturally occurring essential oils in the plant that give each strain its aroma and influence its effects. 

“So, they all have their own special thing that they do individually,” Simcoe said. “Within cannabis, it’s when they combine that makes a really interesting effect. So, as a ganjier, you understand THC percentage means very little.”

To complete certification, Simcoe had to fly to California, where he took a three-part in-person exam. 

To pass the exam, he had to grade different cannabis products on a 100-point scale, scoring them within a small margin of the judging council’s score.

“Don’t underestimate how challenging those assessments can be,” he said. “Because again, A, you have to take it seriously, and it’s really easy to sit in a room of 30 people smoking and not pay attention.”

After two attempts, Simcoe passed. 

He said he now uses his certification to grade cannabis products and instructs a class through the Cleveland School of Cannabis called “My First Plant", where students are given all the materials they need to grow a marijuana plant and guided through the process of growing in a 16-week course.

“It makes it really easy to kind of hold peoples hand and let them follow along,” he said. “And well, if they’re doing the exact same thing you’re doing, you both should be doing alright.” 

Simcoe said more than anything, having his ganjier certification has been validating. 

For so long, the law and stigma about the cannabis industry has prevented people from taking it seriously.

Now, he feels things are changing. 

“To see it happening already is a really positive sign,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d see a cannabis sommelier in my lifetime, that’s for sure.”