LUME DISPENSARY WORKERS IN MICHIGAN VOTE TO JOIN UFCW 1473
First unionized cannabis location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

In July, Lume dispensary workers in Escanaba, Mich., voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473, marking the first time a cannabis shop in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula voted to unionize. Eighteen budtenders or “luminaries,” including lead budtenders, make up the unionized staff at the store, with 14 workers voting yes to join the union.

As America’s largest cannabis union, the UFCW has spent over a decade in this emerging industry, advocating for workers and fighting to establish critical labor protections to ensure that as the industry grows, cannabis industry jobs are safe, equitable, and family-sustaining. UFCW Local 1473 President Jake Bailey said the following: “UFCW Local 1473 is the cannabis union in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and all of Wisconsin. These workers saw the importance of union representation and have stood together in solidarity to form their very own union.  You can see by the outcome of the vote earlier today that these workers have remained steadfast at gaining a true voice in the workplace.  We are proud to take the next step with the workers and bargain their first agreement.”

HISTORIC FIRST: MONTANA  HONEY  SOUR DISPENSARY WORKERS VOTE TO
JOIN UFCW LOCAL 1889

On September 25, seven Honey Sour dispensary workers in both uptown and downtown Butte, Mont., locations voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1889. This historic election marks the first unionized cannabis dispensary in Montana since the legalization of cannabis in the state in 2021.

Honey Sour dispensary worker, Shanell McCracken, who was part of the organizing process, said the following:

“Today marks a pivotal moment as we unite as a family, not just co-workers. We’re fighting for more than job security—we’re ensuring dignified futures and industry-wide change. Our hard work deserves respect, fair treatment, and stability.

This union is our chance to be heard and recognized. Our town’s union legacy continues as we stand for ourselves, our families, and future cannabis workers. We are excited to bargain in good faith with Honey Sour, ensuring that our working conditions reflect the effort and dedication we bring to this company every single day. We believe that by working together, we can create an environment where everyone thrives”

Honey Sour dispensary worker, Milo Vukovich, who was part of the organizing process, said the following:

“I am incredibly proud to announce this historic achievement for us cannabis workers in Montana. Through today’s victory, we hope that we can pave the way for all cannabis workers in the state to receive the representation and benefits they deserve. This milestone shows just how powerful we are when we stand together, regardless of the industry.”

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS’S RECORD ON CANNABIS

Vice President Kamala Harris’ stance on cannabis legalization has evolved over the years. An early defender of medical cannabis, her office did not pursue prison time for most of the cannabis cases she dealt with as District Attorney. In 2018, while Harris held the position of U.S. Senator, she announced her support of cannabis legalization and introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act (S. 2227 in the 116th Congress), a bill that would legalize cannabis and established a trust fund to support programs aimed at reversing the damage caused by the War on Drugs.

As Vice-President the Biden-Harris administration has taken unprecedented steps to address the harms caused by the War on Drugs and soften the federal government’s prohibition. They were the first administration to issue a mass pardon to those with low-level federal cannabis convictions, and encouraged Governors to do the same at the state level while also introducing a budget that called for protection of state medical cannabis programs.

The Biden-Harris administration signed the “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act” into law, which protects for cannabis related medical research and doctors who wish to discuss the potential benefits and harms of the substance.

In May, the Biden-Harris administration instructed the U.S. Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services to review the classification of cannabis, resulting in a proposed rescheduling of cannabis to a Schedule III drug.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S RECORD ON CANNABIS

Under former President Donald Trump’s administration, no movement was made to undo the federal prohibition of cannabis. While his comments relating to cannabis have changed over the years, the impact of his administration on federal cannabis law was still far-reaching.

In January 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Obama-era Cole Memorandum, which previously stated that the Department of Justice would not enforce federal cannabis prohibition in states where cannabis was legalized.

In 2021 Trump proposed removing protections for state medical marijuana laws through his proposed fiscal budget.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) warned that cannabis use, or any activity relating to cannabis, including working for a dispensary, would render someone ineligible to apply for citizenship.