Cannabis Workers Are Organizing.
The UFCW has spent over a decade advocating for cannabis workers and fighting to establish critical labor protections to ensure that, as the industry grows, cannabis jobs are safe, equitable, and family-sustaining. But helping cannabis workers organize a union at their workplace and negotiate fair contracts is just one aspect of what we do. The UFCW also partners with cannabis workers, patients, consumers, community allies, elected officials, and business owners to achieve a shared goal: an industry built on good jobs and social equity. Become part of the Cannabis & Medical Marijuana Union.
– Trulieve Magnolia Worker, UFCW Local 99“Sometimes I feel like people can feel trapped in this industry. With a union, we can be protected from exploitation and we can finally get the treatment that we deserve.”
Championing strong cannabis laws
As America’s cannabis union, the UFCW is involved in advocacy efforts affecting cannabis legislation at both the federal and state levels.
The UFCW supports legislation to de-schedule cannabis at the federal level and to suspend the operating licenses of cannabis-related businesses that violate federal labor laws through the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. To protect small businesses and their employees from illegal and out-of-state operations, cannabis legalization legislation should protect and maintain current state and local cannabis standards and practices.
To encourage equitable growth in the industry, we also support the SAFER Banking Act, which would protect cannabis workers’ access to traditional banking and payroll services by shielding these institutions from federal prosecution. Banks shouldn’t be punished for serving cannabis businesses and their employees.
Promoting Apprenticeships and training programs
Jobs in the cannabis industry should also offer opportunities for advancement through industry apprenticeships. Workers in these programs earn wages while gaining job skills through a combination of on-the-job and classroom training. We support the development and implementation of these programs to support cannabis workers and help maintain the long-term stability of the industry.
