As the annual “420” celebrations of all thing marijuana are about to light up around the world tomorrow, one group is experiencing a harsher side of the industry: the cannabis rank-and-file.
Workers in Michigan’s cannabis industry told the Detroit Metro Times—some of whom spoke to the publication anonymously due to fear of retaliation–that some of the jobs are, at best, “declining in quality.” Some workers who are sent statewide by their employers to help harvest the plant told the Metro Times that they wake up as early as 6 A.M and have 10-hour shifts. Some of the employers ignored workers’ concerns during the pandemic. Some report some of the operations don’t have the proper tools or working bathrooms.
Due to so many people trying to open cannabis businesses, the price for the product drops. “The price drop resulted in lower compensation and some grow operations and other cannabis businesses closing up shop, which led to fewer opportunities for work,” the publication said.
In true Detroit fashion, the workers are trying to unionize. One worker, Stacey Watrobski, said she was leading her dispensary’s efforts to join with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union’s cannabis division. Her efforts led to, among other things, the Official Cannabis Workers Resource. The website contains information on topics such as training, health and safety, and filing complaints.
For more information, go to cannabisworkersresource.com
