Cannabis Teamsters

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Cannabis Teamsters

A place for Teamsters in the cannabis industry & workers who want to form their union with the Teamsters

Over the past decade, many states have made tremendous strides on moving away from arcane, draconian drug criminalization policies towards legalization for commercial and recreational cannabis. As this shift in policy has come, business empires around cannabis have grown exponentially, reaping billions of dollars in revenue in just a few short years. The Teamsters Union is building a grassroots mo

vement of workers committed to ensuring that the people who make these companies succeed aren’t left out of the prosperity associated with this budding industry.

05/01/2025

Teamsters Local 469 members at Garden Society have ratified the first cannabis contract in Jersey. It includes a wage increase of more than 30 percent over the course of three years, increased paid time off and overtime, employer-funded retirement contributions, and protections against unjust discipline and subcontracting.

“This is a core industry for our union and a major priority for us,” said Michael Broderick, Local 469 President. ‘We look forward to organizing even more cannabis facilities and negotiating even more contracts that deliver the respect and compensation that our members deserve.”

“What you’re seeing in New Jersey in indicative of what you’re going to see all over the country,” said Jesse Case, Teamsters Food Processing Division Director. “We’re winning the best contracts in cannabis because we’re the best union in cannabis.”

A few days before Garden Society Teamsters ratified their first contract, workers at the Cannabist in Mays Landing, N.J. voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 469.

“I’m looking forward to the support a Teamsters contract will provide,” said Abby Hill, a Cannabist worker who voted to join Local 469. “I’m excited for what the future holds for us.”

03/20/2025

TEAMSTERS RATIFY FIRST CANNABIS CONTRACT IN MARYLAND

Budtenders and shift leaders at Ascend in Aberdeen, Md., have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement, making them the first cannabis workers in the state to be covered by a Teamsters contract.
“These workers stuck together and were fearless in advocating for themselves during this process,” said Sean Cedenio, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 570. “Their dedication is inspiring, and what we’ve accomplished here can serve as a model for other dispensaries throughout the state.”
Teamsters already have a strong track record of securing strong contracts for Ascend workers in Illinois and Michigan. The new collective bargaining agreement guarantees the workers increases in wages, job security, paid time off, and safety improvements.
“More and more cannabis workers are rapidly realizing that a Teamsters contract brings the stability they deserve in an ever-changing industry,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “The Teamsters are rapidly becoming synonymous with long-term, stable careers in cannabis.”
“Workers everywhere deserve quality wages and working conditions,” said Ryan Bennett, a Dispensary Associate Lead and Local 570 member. “As the cannabis industry rapidly grows, so should the prosperity of the workers who make it successful. The Teamsters have a strong track record of giving workers of all stripes and industries a voice on the job, and this contract is proof of that.”

03/19/2025

“Cannabis delivery drivers are essential to the success of this industry,” said JP Fyans, President of Local 916. “By organizing with the Teamsters, these drivers are paving the way for better wages, improved working conditions, and a collective voice in shaping their future.”
“Delivery drivers play an essential role in cultivating trust and satisfaction among consumers, and they deserve to be treated accordingly,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “Their decision to join Local 916 reflects our shared commitment to addressing the unique challenges of their industry.”
The victory adds to the Teamsters’ growing presence at Ascend and underscores its commitment to protecting workers in emerging markets – the union won elections at the multistate operator’s facilities in Dwight, Ill. and Aberdeen, Md. within the past year. Cannabis drivers often face unpredictable schedules, safety concerns, and ever-changing regulations, making it more important than ever to ensure fair treatment and protections on the job.
“These drivers work hard every day, and we deserve to be treated with the dignity and respect that all workers should have,” said Nike Flesch, Local 916 Organizer. “What we’re setting into motion is a brighter future for the cannabis industry.”
“I’m proud to be a part of this family,” said Shane Widmer, a driver who voted to join the union. “I’m looking forward to bargaining with Ascend so we can improve the way we are treated, our working conditions and our wages.”

01/15/2025

PHARMACANN WORKERS UNITE IN DWIGHT TO JOIN TEAMSTERS LOCAL 777
“We already represent over 100 PharmaCann Teamsters throughout Illinois,” said Jim Glimco, President of Local 777. “We look forward to getting these workers a great union contract, just like we’ve already done for PharmaCann retail workers throughout the state.”

Last year the Teamsters Union expanded its presence in the California and Illinois cannabis industries while also organizing operations in Maryland and New Jersey for the first time. Teamsters are planning on expanding cannabis membership in even more states in 2025.

“Teamsters representation brings professional workplace standards to the cannabis industry by ensuring workers are treated with the respect they need to make this craft into a career. Our contracts provide stability for cannabis workers in a rapidly evolving industry,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. “We’re on a roll and we’re not stopping.”

“I voted to join for improved job security and wages,” said Elizabeth Leithliter, a post-harvest technician. “My husband is in a union, and we have three kids together. We know all the good this can do for our family.”

“I love this place and all of its potential, but companies don’t give workers anything out of the goodness of their hearts,” said Juliet Thompson, a cultivation technician. “We have to go get it for ourselves.”

01/13/2025

110 warehouse workers and delivery drivers at the cannabis distributor Nabis have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first contract with Teamsters Local 630. The Nabis workers are the first to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters in California.

The Teamsters contract includes wage increases of at least 26 percent over the lifetime of the agreement, the start of a Teamsters pension, several weeks of paid vacation, paid sick days, paid holidays, guaranteed minimum hours per week, a grievance process, and more.

12/16/2024

Garden Society workers in Passaic voted overwhelmingly to become the first cannabis workers in New Jersey to join Teamsters Local 469!

“Garden Society workers made their voices heard loud and clear that they want Local 469 to represent them in winning the strong contract they deserve,” said Michael Broderick, Local 469 President. “As a new and growing industry in New Jersey, it is vital that we fight to ensure that the cannabis industry jobs are good careers with a fair wage, safe working conditions, quality health care benefits, and a pathway to retiring with dignity.”

“Cannabis is a nascent and unpredictable field, and by creating a level of stability in the craft that only comes with a Teamsters contract, our union is creating the best pathway possible for prosperous careers in the industry,” said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division.

“I’m excited for what the future holds now that we have a union,” said Beverly Hayes, a Garden Society worker who voted to join Local 469. “We’re on our way to getting what we deserve!”

12/11/2024

Cannabis workers unite in Dwight! Your election is today. Let’s make our voices heard and take control of OUR future. Every vote counts, so get out there and cast yours!

12/10/2024

TOMORROW’S THE DAY FOR PHARMACANN DWIGHT!
“I’ve been here to years, and I support forming the Teamsters because it will afford us improved job security.”
- Chet Laurenell
“I’ve been at PharmaCann for over a year. I’ve seen enough to know we need better wages, better insurance and increased protection.”
- Taylor Moser
“I want a better life inside of work and a better life outside of work.”
- Katelyn Stark
“I’m a parent and a grandparent. I’m a part of this movement because I think it will protect us, and we’ll receive much better benefits.”
- Alana Money

12/09/2024

ON WEDNESDAY, PHARMACANN DWIGHT IS VOTING TEAMSTERS YES! Reach out to an organizer with any questions!

12/08/2024

PHARMACANN DWIGHT WORKERS ARE VOTING YES FOR TEAMSTERS LOCAL 777!

“I love this place and all of its potential, but companies don’t give workers anything out of the goodness of their hearts – we have to go get it for ourselves. Thankfully, we can do that with a Teamsters contract.”
- Juliet Thompson
“When we form our union with the Teamsters, we’ll be securing our future in this industry. It’s our future, and these are our careers – let’s make them as great as they can be.”
- Olivia Gestner
“We see what other PharmaCann workers get by joining Teamsters Local 777 – regular pay raises, more job security, more paid days off. If we stand united, there’s no reason we can’t get that here.”
- Emily Bartlett

12/06/2024

On Dec. 11, PharmaCann workers in Dwight, Ill. are ready to vote TEAMSTERS YES!

11/27/2024

Cannabis advisors and agents-in-charge at the Zen Leaf cannabis dispensary in Evanston, Ill. have voted unanimously to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 777.

“We successfully negotiated and ratified this collective bargaining agreement in less than three months, which is probably the fastest turnaround we’ve had for a first contract in this industry,” said Jim Glimco, President of Local 777. “We’re organizing and winning contracts faster than ever before because everyone in this field recognizes we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

The three-year contract includes a number of improvements. These include more paid holidays, a minimum 14 percent wage increase over the lifetime of the agreement, due process during disciplinary matters, and a guarantee that a successor employer will assume the contract if another company buys the dispensary. The workers also get retirement benefits, something that is only available to union members at the company.

Address

25 Louisiana Avenue NW
Capitol Hill, DC

Website

https://teamster.org/420

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